Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-59.006 - Allowed and Prohibited Gear and Methods of Harvest; Bycatch Exception

(1) Allowed Gear and Method of Harvest - A person may harvest or attempt to harvest a sheepshead within or without Florida Waters only by or with the use of beach or haul seine, cast net, hook and line gear, or by spearing.

(2) Prohibited Gear and Method of Harvest -

(a) A person may not harvest or attempt to harvest a sheepshead within or without Florida Waters with gear or methods that are not expressly permitted in subsection (1).

(b) A person may not use a multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait to harvest or attempt to harvest sheepshead within or without Florida Waters.

(c) A person may not harvest or attempt to harvest a sheepshead within or without Florida Waters by snagging the sheepshead or land a sheepshead so harvested.

(3) Bycatch Exception - Notwithstanding subsection (1), a commercial harvester who is in possession of a valid saltwater products license with a restricted species endorsement may harvest a sheepshead captured as incidental bycatch of gear other than the gear expressly permitted in subsection (1), if the gear is being used to lawfully harvest another target species, only to the limit specified in paragraph 68B-59.004(2)(b), F.A.C. This provision will not be construed to authorize a commercial harvester to intentionally harvest a sheepshead by or with the use of any gear or method that is not expressly permitted in subsection (1).

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-59.006

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

New 9-1-13, Amended by Florida Register Volume 44, Number 109, June 5, 2018 effective 7/1/2018.

New 9-1-13, Amended 7-1-18.