Meeting Agenda

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Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

> 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 11

1. Meeting Opening

A. Call to Order

B. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

C. Special Presentations and Recognitions

(1) A resolution of the Reptile Industry Association and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to adopt a voluntary set of standards for caging and husbandry of captive reptiles. (Background Report 3/20/07)

(2) A resolution of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to recognize the effects of global climate change on Florida's fish and wildlife. POSTPONED

(3) Award of appreciation to Steve Smith for his leadership as a Youth Hunting Program volunteer.

(4) Introduction of local Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission employees.

2. Adoption of Agenda

A. Review and Approval of February 7-8, 2007 Commission Meeting Minutes (Background Report 4/6/07)

B. Approval of Consent Agenda (Attached)

C. Approval of Agenda

3. Executive Director's Report (Background Report 3/14/07)

4. Items Requiring Action

A. Final Rules

(1) Marine Turtle Permits (Background Report 3/1/07)

(a) 68E-1.002, Introduction, Scope and Definitions - The proposed rule would specify when a Marine Turtle Permit is required from the Commission, requirements for issuance of the permit, and those activities that cannot be approved under a Marine Turtle Permit.  The proposed rule would also clarify terms that will be used during the permit review and approval process.

(b) 68E-1.004, General Permit Application Procedures, Requirements and Expiration - The proposed rule would establish the application process for a Marine Turtle Permit, the experience and knowledge necessary to qualify for a permit, and the specialized information required to apply for captive facility or research permits.  The proposed rule would also establish the training and reporting requirements for Marine Turtle Permit holders and the requirements for permit renewal.

(c) 68E-1.0041, Authorizations for Marine Turtle Research, Conservation, and Educational Activities - The proposed rule would establish the different levels of approval required for a requested activity based upon the amount of impact to marine turtles, nests, and hatchlings.

(d) 68E-1.005, Suspensions and Revocation - The proposed rule would revise and clarify the permit suspension and revocation provisions for non-compliance with a Marine Turtle Permit.

(2) Non-Native Wildlife Rules (Background Report 3/1/07)

(a) 68A-4.005, Introduction of Foreign Wildlife or Freshwater Fish or Carriers of Disease - The proposed rule would repeal provisions regarding importation and release of non-native freshwater fish and wildlife without a permit.  These provisions would be incorporated into proposed rule 68-5, Rules Relating to Non-Native Species. The proposed rule would also add provisions that allow inspection of facilities that might harbor diseased or infected freshwater aquatic organisms and provides for quarantine, confiscation or destruction of these organisms if they pose a threat to public health or fish and wildlife resources. (Background Report 3/1/07)

(b) 68A-23.008, Introduction of Non-Native Aquatic Species in the Waters of the State; Provisions for Sale and Inspection of Fish for Bait or Propagation Purpose; Diseased Fish - The proposed rule would repeal provisions listing restricted (conditional) and prohibited species.  These provisions would be moved to 68-5, Rules Relating to Non-Native Species. The proposed rule would also repeal provisions regarding inspection of facilities that might harbor diseased freshwater aquatic organisms.  These provisions would be moved to 68A-4.005, Introduction of Foreign Wildlife or Freshwater Fish or Carriers of Disease. The rule would be repealed effective July 1, 2007. (Background Report 3/1/07)

(c) 68A-25.002, General Provisions for Taking, Possession and Sale of Reptiles - The proposed rule would repeal provisions regarding the importation of certain tortoises. These provisions would be moved to 68-5, Rules Relating to Non-Native Species.  The proposed rule would also provide for the continuation of permit requirements for possession of venomous reptiles until January 1, 2008, at which time the requirements would become effective in 68A-6.007, Possession, Transportation, Exhibition and Caging Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern; Prohibited Reptile Species. (Background Report 3/1/07)

(d) 68A-25.006, Possession, Exhibition and Caging Venomous Reptiles: Prohibited Species - The proposed rule would repeal this rule effective January 1, 2008, at which time provisions for caging and exhibition of venomous reptiles will become effective in 68A-6.007, Possession, Transportation, Exhibition and Caging Venomous Reptiles and Reptiles of Concern; Prohibited Reptile Species. (Background Report 3/1/07)

(e) 68-5.001, Introduction of Non-Native Species into the State - The proposed rule would list requirements for the possession of non-native species, including prohibiting the importation and release of non-native species of freshwater aquatic life, wildlife and marine life without a permit. (Background Report 3/1/07)

(f) 68-5.002, Conditional Non-Native Species - The proposed rule would list conditional non-native species and criteria governing their possession. (Background Report 3/1/07)

(g) 68-5.003, Prohibited Non-Native Species - The proposed rule would list prohibited non-native species and criteria governing their possession. (Background Report 3/1/07)

B. Draft Rules (Background Report 3/1/07)

Review and discussion of draft rules 68A-15.004, General Regulations Relating to Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), 68A-17.004, General Regulations Relating to Wildlife and Environmental Areas (WEAs), and 68A-20.004, Regulations in Fish Management Areas (FMAs) to establish regulations for possession of guns while traveling to private inholdings on WMAs, WEAs, and FMAs. (Background Report 3/1/07)

C. Issues

Recommend action on petitions to list, delist or change status of imperiled species, that are complete and for which resources are available to undertake a status review and the development of a management plan. (Background Report 3/2/07)

5. Commissioners' Areas of Emphasis (Background Report 3/1/07)

Exotic (non-native) Species - Report on the second pet amnesty day event and progress in the Gambian rat eradication project. (Background Report 3/1/07)

6. Legislative Report
Week 2 Report (PDF, 272 kb) | Week 2 Budget Report (PDF, 197kb) | Week 3 Report (PDF, 56kb) | Week 3 Budget Report (PDF, 161kb) | Week 4 Report (PDF  58kb) | Week 4 Budget Report (PDF, 129kb) | Week 5 Report (PDF, 58kb) | Week 5 Budget Report (PDF, 128kb) | Week 6 Report (PDF, 58kb)  Week 6 Budget Report (PDF, 129kb)

7. Staff Reports

A. Avian Influenza Monitoring (Background Report 3/9/07)

B. Update on Red-cockaded Woodpecker Management and Progress from the Time of Reclassification. (Background Report 4/10/07)

8. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda

9. Commission Exchange

10. Recess Wednesday Portion of Meeting

> 8:30 a.m., Thursday, April 12

11. Items Requiring Action

A. Final Rules

(1) Federal Consistency Rules for Reef Fish (Background Report - 6/1/07 Update)

(a) 68B-14.001, Purpose and Intent, Designation as Restricted Species - The proposed rule would add golden tilefish to the list of restricted reef fish species. (Background Report-Rule 3/1/07) (Background Report - 3/2/07) (Background Report in color - 4/6/07)

(b) 68B-14.0035, Size Limits: Amberjacks, Black Sea Bass, Gray Triggerfish, Grouper, Hogfish, Red Porgy, and Snapper - The proposed rule would increase the recreational minimum size for black sea bass from 10 to 11 inches in 2007 and from 11 to 12 inches in 2008 in the Atlantic Ocean; decrease the commercial and recreational minimum size for vermilion snapper from 11 to 10 inches in the Gulf of Mexico; and increase the recreational minimum size of vermilion snapper from 11 to 12 inches in the Atlantic Ocean.

(c) 68B-14.00355, Size Limits for Importation and Sale - The proposed rule would decrease the minimum size of imported vermilion snapper from 11 to 10 inches.

(d) 68B-14.0036, Recreational Bag Limits: Snapper, Grouper, Hogfish, Black Sea Bass, Red Porgy, Amberjacks, Exception, and Wholesale/Retail Purchase Exemption - The proposed rule would add golden tilefish; set the bag limit of gag, red, and black grouper at zero for captains and crew of for-hire vessels in the Gulf of Mexico; establish a one-fish recreational bag limit for snowy grouper within the five-fish aggregate grouper bag limit in the Atlantic Ocean; establish a one-fish recreational bag limit for golden tilefish within the five-fish aggregate grouper bag limit in the Atlantic Ocean; and raise the recreational bag limit for red porgy in the Atlantic Ocean from one-fish to three-fish per person per day.

(e) 68B-14.0045, Commercial Harvest Requirements; Licenses, Season Closures, Bag and Trip Limits - The proposed rule would remove the requirement for Class I and Class II red snapper licenses for the commercial harvest of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico; establish commercial trip limits in the Atlantic Ocean that are concurrent with federal trip limits; establish a black sea bass harvesting season of June 1 through May 31 each year in the Atlantic Ocean; remove the April 22 through May 31 commercial harvesting season for vermilion snapper in the Gulf of Mexico; and prohibit persons harvesting for commercial purposes from harvesting or possessing the recreational bag limit of reef fish species on the same trip.

(f) 68B-14.005, Regulations and Prohibitions of Certain Harvesting Gear: Allowable Gear, Incidental Bycatch, Violation - The proposed rule would require a minimum 2-inch mesh for the back panel of black sea bass traps in the Atlantic Ocean; require the removal of black sea bass traps in the Atlantic Ocean when the commercial quota is reached.

(2) Commercial Sponge Harvest Regulations

(a) 68B-28.003, Diving: Open and Closed Areas - The proposed rule would open that portion of the Gulf of Mexico west of 84 degrees longitude to Cape San Blas to commercial sponge harvesting by diving. (Background Report - Rule 3/1/07) (Background Report 3/2/07)

(b) 68B-28.0035, Commercial Sponge Size Limit - The proposed rule amendment would require that sponges harvested by diving be cut rather than removed with a hook. (Background Report - Rule 3/1/07)

B. Draft Rules

Review and discussion of draft rule amendments (68B-21) to potentially change the size limit, bag limit and fishing season for snook. (Background Report 3/30/07) (Background Report in color 3/30/07)

C. Federal Issues

(1) Review and discussion of the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.  (Background Report 3/2/07)

(2) Review and discussion of proposed federal red snapper management options in the Gulf of Mexico. (Background Report 3/2/07)

(3) Review and discussion of South Atlantic Fishery Management Council issues. (Background Report 4/6/07)

(4) Review and discussion of Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council issues. (Background Report 3/2/07)

12. Commissioners' Areas of Emphasis

Review of public input and final draft version of a vision document for the future of saltwater fishing in Florida.
(Background Report 4/6/07)

13. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda

14. Commission Exchange

15. Commission Administrative Matters

A. Review and approval of proposed 2008 Commission Meeting Dates. (Background Report 3/8/07)

B. The next regular Commission meeting will be held June 13-14, 2007, in Melbourne commencing at 8:30 a.m. each day.

16. Adjournment