Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-48.004 - Recreational Bag Limits; Commercial Trip and Vessel Limits; Commercial Bycatch Allowance

(1) Recreational Bag Limit - A recreational harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land more than 5 flounder per day.

(2) Commercial Limits -

(a) Commercial Bag Limit -

1. Beginning December 1 and continuing through October 14 of the following year, a commercial harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land more than 150 flounder per day.

2. Beginning October 15 and continuing through November 30 each year, a commercial harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land more than 50 flounder per day.

(b) Commercial Vessel Limit -

1. Beginning December 1 and continuing through October 14 of the following year, the commercial harvesters aboard a vessel may not collectively harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land more than 150 flounder per day.

2. Beginning October 15 and continuing through November 30 each year, the commercial harvesters aboard a vessel may not collectively harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land more than 50 flounder per day.

(c) Commercial Bycatch Allowance - The following harvest, possession, and landing limits shall apply to the commercial harvest of flounder as incidental bycatch pursuant to subsection 68B-48.006(3), F.A.C.:

1. Except as provided subparagraph (2)(c)2., a commercial harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters more than 50 flounder per trip or land more than 50 flounder per day as incidental bycatch of gear that is being used to lawfully harvest another target species.

2. In or on federal waters adjacent to Florida Waters, a commercial harvester is subject to the following harvest, possession, and landing limits when harvesting flounder as incidental bycatch in shrimp trawls that are being used to lawfully harvest shrimp in federal waters adjacent to Florida Waters:

a. Beginning December 1 and continuing through October 14 of the following year, the commercial harvesters aboard a vessel may not collectively harvest or possess more than 150 flounder per trip or land more than 150 flounder per day.

b. Beginning October 15 and continuing through November 30 each year, the commercial harvesters aboard a vessel may not collectively harvest or possess more than 50 flounder per day.

c. Transit provision - Flounder lawfully harvested as incidental bycatch in shrimp trawls in federal waters pursuant to subparagraph (2)(c)2., may be transported directly through Florida Waters and landed provided that trawl gear is appropriately stowed and the vessel is in continuous and direct transit from federal waters to the place where the vessel is regularly docked, moored, or otherwise stored or to the licensed wholesale dealer where the catch is to be sold. For the purpose of this sub-subparagraph, appropriately stowed means a trawl's doors or frame are not deployed in the water.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-48.004

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

New 1-1-96, Amended 1-1-97, 1-1-98, Formerly 46-48.004, Amended 9-1-13, Amended by Florida Register Volume 47, Number 026, February 9, 2021 effective 3/1/2021.

New 1-1-96, Amended 1-1-97, 1-1-98, Formerly 46-48.004, Amended 9-1-13, 3-1-21.