Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-45.0045 - Closed Seasons

(1) In order to facilitate the identification and removal of lost and abandoned traps the following restrictions shall apply.

(a) The use of traps to harvest blue crabs is prohibited for a period of up to ten days in the following regions:

1. All waters of the St. Johns River, its associated lakes and tributaries from west of the St. Johns River's intersection with the Intracoastal Canal through and including Lake Hellen Blazes from January 16 through January 25 of even numbered years,

2. All waters of Nassau, Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, and Volusia counties from August 20 through August 29 of even numbered years, however, not including waters listed in subparagraph (1)(a)1., of this paragraph,

3. All waters of Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach counties from August 10 through August 19 of even numbered years, however, not including waters listed in subparagraph (1)(a)1., of this paragraph,

4. All waters of Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Collier, Lee, Charlotte, DeSoto, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties from July 10 through July 19 of odd numbered years,

5. All waters of Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, and Hernando counties and including all waters of the Ochlockonee River and Ochlockonee Bay from July 20 through July 29 of odd numbered years,

6. All waters of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties from January 5 through January 14 of odd numbered years, however, excluding all waters of the Ochlockonee River and Ochlockonee Bay.

(b) All traps must be removed from the water before 12:01 a.m. (local time) on the first day of each regional closure. Traps found in state waters during the closures are declared to be a public nuisance and shall be disposed of in the manner approved by the Commission. Traps may be returned to the water after 12:01 a.m. (local time) on the day following each regional closure.

(c) Closures listed in subparagraphs (1)(a)2., 3., 4., 5., and 6., extend to three nautical miles offshore.

(d) Closures listed in paragraph (1)(a), may be reduced in duration if it is determined by the Executive Director of the Commission that the number of lost and abandoned traps in the region will take less time to remove than the time listed in paragraph (1)(a).

(e) Closures do not apply to traps secured to private property, such as a dock, or to authorized gear listed in paragraphs 68B-45.004(1)(b) -(g), F.A.C.

(2) In the Gulf Seasonal Closure Region, no blue crab trap, including any trap used to harvest peeler crabs, may be placed in the water, fished, or soaked during the period beginning September 20 and continuing through October 4 each year.

(3) In the 2009/2010 fishing season, no trap retrieval fees will be assessed for blue crab traps collected through the Commission's Trap Retrieval Program.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-45.0045

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

New 7-1-09, Amended 1-26-11.

New 7-1-09, Amended 1-26-11.