Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-37.003 - Size Limits for Recreational and Commercial Harvest; Whole Condition Requirement

(1) Minimum and Maximum Size Limits -

(a) Recreational Minimum and Maximum Size Limits -

1. Except as provided in subparagraph (1)(a)2., a recreational harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land a spotted seatrout that is less than 15 inches or greater than 19 inches in total length.

2.

a. Except as provided in sub-subparagraph (1)(a)2.b., a recreational harvester may harvest and possess, within or without Florida Waters, and land only 1 spotted seatrout per day that is greater than 19 inches in total length. This provision will not be construed to authorize harvest or possession of spotted seatrout of any size in excess of the applicable bag limits.

b. Recreational harvesters aboard a vessel within or without Florida Waters may not collectively harvest or land more than 1 spotted seatrout per day that is greater than 19 inches total length or possess more than 1 spotted seatrout that is greater than 19 inches total length.

(b) Commercial Minimum and Maximum Size Limits - A commercial harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land a spotted seatrout that is less than 15 inches or greater than 24 inches in total length.

(2) Landed in Whole Condition Requirement - A person harvesting spotted seatrout within or without Florida Waters shall land each spotted seatrout in whole condition. A person may not possess within or without Florida Waters a spotted seatrout that has been beheaded, sliced, divided, filleted, ground, skinned, scaled, or deboned. This provision will not be construed to prohibit evisceration (gutting) of a spotted seatrout, or removal of gills from a spotted seatrout.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-37.003

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

New 11-1-89, Amended 1-1-96, 8-1-96, Formerly 46-37.003, Amended 7-1-00, 2-1-12, 9-1-13, Amended by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 028, February 11, 2020 effective 2/26/2020.

New 11-1-89, Amended 1-1-96, 8-1-96, Formerly 46-37.003, Amended 7-1-00, 2-1-12, 9-1-13, 2-26-20.