Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-13.007 - Restrictions on Size and on Transport and Possession of Stone Crabs and Stone Crab Claws

(1) Except as provided in subsection (3), of this rule, and in subsection 68B-13.006(2), F.A.C., it is unlawful to harvest, possess, sell, or offer for sale any stone crab claw at any time which has a forearm (propodus) of less than 2 7/8 inches in length, measured by a straight line from the elbow to the tip of the lower immovable finger. The forearm shall be deemed to be the largest section of the claw assembly that has both a movable and immovable finger and is located farthest from the body of the crab.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (3), of this rule, and in subsection 68B-13.006(2), F.A.C., it is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to possess or transport by boat, land vehicle, airplane, or other conveyance any intact stone crab or stone crab body whether dead or alive. Only legal sized claws of stone crabs may be possessed or transported.

(3) Permissible temporary possession of whole stone crabs.

(a) Whole stone crabs may be temporarily possessed on board a vessel while such vessel is at sea for the purpose of determining compliance with size requirements until such time as the claws are removed, provided that the following conditions are met:

1. A person may not possess whole stone crabs unless such crabs are held within a checker box using one of the following configurations:

a. Up to two checker boxes, each no larger in dimension than 36 inches, by 24 inches, by 24 inches, or a volume of 12 cubic feet; or,

b. Any combination of checker boxes, provided that the total volume does not exceed 24 cubic feet.

2. Whole stone crabs held in a checker box must be shaded and wet with sea water every 30 minutes, or more often if necessary, to keep the crabs in a damp condition.

3. Checker boxes may not be stacked in a manner which compresses the crabs.

(b) This provision will not be construed to authorize the harvest of a whole stone crab or authorize a recreational harvester to exceed the applicable bag limit or possession limit established in subsection 68B-13.009(1), F.A.C.

(4) It is unlawful to remove claws from egg-bearing female stone crabs or to have any egg-bearing female stone crab on board a vessel.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-13.007

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.

New 7-1-00, Amended by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 185, September 22, 2020 effective 10/1/2020.

New 7-1-00, Amended 10-1-20.