Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-44.006 - Allowed Gear; Prohibited Gear and Methods of Harvest; Required Gear

(1) A person may harvest or attempt to harvest a shark from Florida Waters only by or with the use of hook-and-line gear.

(2) The harvest of any shark from Florida Waters by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited. Snagging (snatch hooking) of a shark in or from Florida Waters is prohibited.

(3) Required gear -

(a) Non-stainless-steel circle hooks. A person targeting or harvesting sharks from Florida Waters must use non-stainless-steel circle hooks when fishing with live or dead natural bait. "Circle hook" means a fishing hook designed and manufactured so that the point is not offset and is turned perpendicularly back to the shank to form a general circular or oval shape.

(b) Cutting devices. A person targeting or harvesting sharks from Florida Waters must have in his or her possession at least one device capable of quickly cutting either the leader or the hook used. A person catching but not retaining a shark must quickly remove the hook or use such cutting device to quickly remove as much tackle and fishing gear as possible in order to release the shark immediately without unnecessary harm.

(4) A person may not harvest or attempt to harvest any shark from Florida Waters with gear not expressly permitted in subsection (1).

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-44.006

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

New 4-8-92, Amended 2-14-94, 1-1-98, Formerly 46-44.006, Amended 7-1-03, 1-19-10, Amended by Florida Register Volume 45, Number 069, April 9, 2019 effective 7/1/2019.

New 4-8-92, Amended 2-14-94, 1-1-98, Formerly 46-44.006, Amended 7-1-03, 1-19-10, 7-1-19.