Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-14.0039 - Recreational Grouper and Tilefish Seasons

(1) In all state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, except in all waters of Monroe County, the season for the recreational harvest and possession of gag grouper shall be September 1 through November 10 each year. Except for persons harvesting gag grouper for commercial purposes pursuant to Rule 68B-14.0045, F.A.C., from November 11 through August 31, no person shall harvest in or from state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, except in all waters of Monroe County, nor possess while in or on state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, except in all waters of Monroe County, any gag grouper.

(2) In all state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including all waters of Monroe County, the closed season for the recreational harvest and possession of gag grouper, black grouper, red grouper, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper, rock hind, red hind, scamp, coney, and graysby shall be from January 1 through April 30 each year.

(3) Goliath Grouper.

(a) Goliath Grouper Open Season. In all areas open to harvest of goliath grouper as provided in Rule 68B-14.008, F.A.C., the open season for the recreational harvest of goliath grouper shall be March 1 through May 31 each year.

(b) Goliath Grouper Closed Season. No person shall harvest or land from Florida Waters a goliath grouper from June 1 through the last day of February of the following year. Except as provided in Rule 68B-14.0091, F.A.C., no person shall possess a goliath grouper from June 1 through the last day of February of the following year.

(4) Snowy Grouper.

(a) Snowy Grouper Open Season. In all state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including all waters of Monroe County, the open season for the recreational harvest and possession of snowy grouper shall be May 1 through June 30 each year (consistent with the Federal Standard established in 50 C.F.R. § 622.183(b)(8) as of January 2, 2024).

(b) Snowy Grouper Closed Season. Except for persons harvesting snowy grouper for commercial purposes pursuant to Rule 68B-14.0045, F.A.C., in all state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including all waters of Monroe County, the recreational harvest and possession of snowy grouper shall be prohibited from January 1 through April 30 and July 1 through December 31 each year (consistent with the Federal Standard established in 50 C.F.R. § 622.183(b)(8) as of January 2, 2024).

(5) Tilefish.

(a) Blueline Tilefish Open Seasons. In all state waters of the Atlantic Ocean and all waters of Monroe County, the open season for the recreational harvest and possession of blueline tilefish shall be May 1 through August 31 each year (consistent with the Federal Standard established in 50 C.F.R. § 622.183(b)(7) as of June 15, 2020).

(b) Blueline Tilefish Closed Seasons. No recreational harvester shall harvest in or from all state waters of the Atlantic Ocean and all waters of Monroe County, nor possess in or on all state waters of the Atlantic Ocean and all state waters of Monroe County, any blueline tilefish from September 1 through April 30 (consistent with the Federal Standard established in 50 C.F.R. § 622.183(b)(7) as of June 15, 2020).

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-14.0039

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

New 1-6-09, Amended 8-27-09, 1-19-10, 6-17-11, 3-23-12, 5-9-13, 10-31-13, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 106, June 1, 2016 effective 6/1/2016, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 125, June 28, 2016 effective 7/1/2016, Amended by Florida Register Volume 43, Number 153, August 8, 2017 effective 8/31/2017, Amended by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 229, November 24, 2020 effective 1/1/2021, Amended by Florida Register Volume 48, Number 076, April 19, 2022 effective 7/1/2022, Amended by Florida Register Volume 48, Number 164, August 23, 2022 effective 1/1/2023, Amended by Florida Register Volume 50, Number 030, February 13, 2024 effective 2/25/2024, Amended by Florida Register Volume 50, Number 080, April 23, 2024 effective 5/5/2024.

New 1-6-09, Amended 8-27-09, 1-19-10, 6-17-11, 3-23-12, 5-9-13, 10-31-13, 6-1-16, 7-1-16, 8-31-17, 1-1-21, 7-1-22, 1-1-23, 2-25-24.