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Commission Meeting Agenda

Time:

8:30 a.m.

Dates:

February 4-5, 2009

Place:

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West
Sandestin, FL  32550
Phone: 850-267-8000
www.sandestin.com


This meeting is open to the public.

All interested individuals may speak at workshops or meetings of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) within the guidelines established by the Commission.  To ensure the public's opportunity to be heard and the orderly conduct of the meeting, the Chairman reserves the right to establish a time for adjournment of the workshop or meeting, to limit the time for speakers, and to limit the time allotted for specific agenda items.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting should notify the agency at least five calendar days before the meeting by calling 850-488-6411.  If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (Voice).

Agenda items listed under headings other than "Rules" may be moved by the Chairman to different days of the meeting to accommodate scheduling problems.

If any person decides to challenge any decision with respect to any matter considered at the above meeting, he will need a record of the proceedings.  For this purpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes testimony and evidence upon which the challenge is to be based.

For information on lodging and restaurants within the area, you may call the Destin Chamber of Commerce at 850-837-6241 or website at www.destinchamber.com

8:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 4

  1. Meeting Opening
    1. Call to Order
    2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
    3. Recognitions
      1. Recognize Ed Moyer for his 35 years of service and retirement from FWC's Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.
      2. Presentation of the 2008 Louise Ireland Humphrey Achievement Award by Dr. C. Tom Rainey, Wildlife Foundation of Florida to Carol Knox, Biological Administrator III, Imperiled Species Management Section in FWC's Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.
      3. Recognize a local artist.
    4. Introduction of local FWC staff
  2. Adoption of Agenda
    1. Review and Approval of December 3-4, 2008, Commission Meeting Minutes (December Meeting Minutes)
    2. Approval of Consent Agenda (Attached)
    3. Approval of Agenda
  3. Executive Director's Report
  4. Items Requiring Action
    1. Final Rules
      1. Proposed rules for improving Florida's quota hunt system for public hunting on wildlife management areas for the 2009-2010 hunting season (Quota Presentation).
        1. 68A-5.005, Quota Hunt Permits and Special-Opportunity Permits - Application; Selection; Issuance - The proposed change would repeal this rule and incorporate it into 68A-15.005. (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09)
        2. 68A-15.005, Quota Permits; Antlerless Deer Permits; Special- Opportunity Permits- (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09) - The proposed rule change would revise or clarify the rule as follows: provide that the number of quota and special-opportunity permits shall be established by order of the Executive Director, after approval of the Commission; change all quota hunt permits from transferable to nontransferable; establish a guest permit for archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun, wild hog, mobility-impaired and spring turkey hunt types; allow one guest permit per quota hunt permit; allow an individual to be the guest of only one quota permit holder per hunt; require the guest and host hunters to enter and exit the area together, share the same vehicle and share the bag limit; require the host be responsible for the shared bag limit; require that the guest may hunt only when the host is present on the area; provide that the guest may bring no additional hunters; provide that the quota permit holder may bring only one additional hunter (one guest, one youth, one mentor supervisor or one mentor license holder); require the guest to hunt in the same zone as the host (on those areas with zone tags); expand quota hunt types from archery/muzzleloading gun and general gun to archery, muzzleloading gun, general gun and wild hog; allow up to five permits per hunt type (only one of which may be issued during the Phase I or Phase II drawings for each hunt type, except mobility-impaired) and one permit per hunt number; allow preference points to accumulate for each year an applicant is not selected during Phase I; base the issuance of group permits on the group member with the lowest number of preference points; allow all quota permits to be returned postmarked prior to the hunt; allow returned permits drawn by preference to have preference points restored and an additional point awarded and those returned permits drawn during Phase I to have a preference point awarded; provide that returned quota permits be re-issued; eliminate preference points if an applicant fails to apply for two consecutive years; and provide that these changes would not apply to the Blackwater WMA dog hunts or Holton Creek WMA.

          Proposed rules would change quotas or bag limits on the following areas: Croom WMA - muzzleloading gun and general gun from 400 to 300; Hickory Hammock WMA - general gun hog from 10 to 5; KICCO WMA - spring turkey from 15 to10; Upper Hillsborough River WMA - archery and muzzleloading gun from 150 to 75; Andrews WMA - archery from 60 to 45, muzzleloading gun, and general gun from 40 to 30 and spring turkey from 30 to 25; Twin Rivers WMA - archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons from 30 to 45 per hunt and eliminate the 30 first-come first-served permits issued at the check station, spring turkey from 12 to 20 and eliminate the 12 first-come first-serve permits issued at the check station; Joe Budd WMA - archery and archery/muzzleloading gun from 50 to 35; Dexter/Mary Farms WMA - archery, muzzleloading gun and general gun from 40 to 30; and Guana River WMA - spring turkey bag limit from one per person per day to one per quota permit.
        3. 68A-15.062, Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region - The proposed changes would revise area-specific regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region as follows (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09):
          • Andrews WMA - Remove references to the number of zone tags to be issued per zone.
          • Twin Rivers WMA - Remove references to the number of zone tags to be issued per zone and increase the number of archery hunts from one 16-day hunt to one (1) seven-day hunt and one (1) nine-day hunt; and increase the number of general gun hunts from one (1) 11-day hunt to one (1) four-day hunt and one (1) seven-day hunt.
          • Ralph E. Simmons WMA - Clarify that during the mobility-impaired hunt only mobility-impaired hunters may take antlerless deer and clarify that guest permit holders may be on the WMA during hunting periods.
          • Hatchet Creek - Clarify that guest permit holders may be on the WMA during hunting periods.
        4. 68A-15.063, Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region - The proposed changes would revise area-specific regulations on Wildlife Management Areas in the Northwest Region as follows (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09):
          • Blackwater WMA - Hutton Unit - Clarify that only mobility-impaired permit holders and guest permit holders may hunt during the mobility-impaired hunt and allow for one non-hunting assistant.  
          • Econfina Creek WMA - Clarify that only mobility-impaired permit holders and guest permit holders may hunt during the mobility-impaired hunts and allow for one non-hunting assistant.
        5. 68A-17.005, Specific Regulations for Wildlife and Environmental Areas - The proposed rule changes would revise area-specific regulations on Wildlife and Environmental Areas (WEAs) as follows (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09):
          • Suwannee Ridge WEA - Clarify that only mobility-impaired permit holders and guest permit holders may hunt during hunting periods; allow for one non-hunting assistant; and clarify that guest permit holders must attend the mobility-impaired pre-hunt meeting.
          • Dupuis WEA - Clarify that guests permit holders may be on the WEA during hunting periods and allow for a non-hunting assistant.
      2. Wildlife, Alligator, and Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Rules (Rules Final Off-year Presentation)
        1. 68A-13.007, Hunting Regulations on Public Small-Game Hunting Areas - The proposed rule would allow licensed and registered motorcycles on Public Small-Game Hunting Areas (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09).
        2. 68A-15.004, General Regulations Relating to Wildlife Management Areas - The proposed rule would allow licensed and registered motorcycles on Wildlife Management Areas (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09).
        3. 68A-17.004, General Regulations Relating to Wildlife and Environmental Areas - The proposed rule would allow licensed and registered motorcycles on Wildlife and Environmental Areas (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09).
        4. 68A-9.004, Permits for Hunting or Other Recreational Use on Wildlife             Management Areas - The proposed rule change would adjust the Recreational User Permit (RUP) fee as follows (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09):
          1. Nassau WMA - increase the annual Recreational Use Permit fee from $197 to $385.
        5. 68A-15.063, Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region - The proposed rule changes would revise area specific regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest Region as follows (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09):
          • Yellow River WMA - establish the Burnt Grocery Creek area (the area west of Burnt Grocery Creek, north of Bernice Road and Old Fisher Mill Road) within Yellow River WMA with the following open seasons (no quota permit required): 88-day archery season, three-day muzzleloading gun season, nine-day small game season, 11-day archery/muzzleloading gun season, four (4) three-day spring turkey hunts; allow fishing and frogging throughout the year; prohibit trapping; legal to take - all legal game, fish, frogs and furbearers; allow antlerless deer to be taken only during the first 30 days of the archery season and change the spring turkey season in the Grassy Point area from three (3) two-day hunts to four (4) three-day hunts with a quota of five per hunt.
          • Blackwater WMA - allow vehicular access on named or numbered roads only except on that portion of the area south of State Road 4 and east of County Road 191 where vehicles may be operated on established roads only.
          • Tate's Hell WMA - increase the spring turkey quota from 35 to 200.
        6. 68A-15.064, Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - South Region - The proposed rule changes would revise area-specific regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South Region as follows (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09):
          • Allapattah Flats WMA - expand the migratory bird hunting season to match the statewide season.
          • Picayune Strand WMA - expand the small game season from 16 to 44 days.
        7. 68A-15.065, Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region - The proposed rule changes would revise area-specific regulations on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region as follows (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09):
          • Lake Monroe WMA (NEW) - establish a new wildlife management area with the following open seasons: 30-day archery season, nine-day muzzleloading gun season, 58-day general gun season, 56-day small game season, 37-day spring turkey season, statewide migratory bird season (except crow may be taken during the first phase of crow season only); allow fishing and frogging year-round; legal to take shall be all legal game, fish, wild hog, frogs and furbearers; prohibit camping; allow motorized vehicles only in designated parking areas; prohibit use or possession of swamp buggies, tracked vehicles and all-terrain vehicles; allow hunting with dogs only during the small game and migratory bird seasons and only with bird dogs or retrievers; and prohibit fires.
          • Richloam WMA / Baird Unit - prohibit hunting with dogs, except bird dogs and retrievers.
        8. 68A-25.031, Regulations Governing Alligator Egg and Hatchling Collections on Lands Not Included in Alligator Management Programs - The proposed rule would revise how the hatchling-collection program is implemented, making it similar to how public-waters eggs are collected.  This would involve a single hatchling-collection coordinator that permitted farmers choose to oversee collection of the established hatchling quota, rather than issuing collection permits to individual permitted farmers. (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09)
        9. 68A-25.042, Regulations Governing Statewide Alligator Trapping, Permitting, Taking and Sale - The proposed rule would provide staff latitude to issue statewide alligator harvest permits through the FWC's Total Licensing System, using the full extent of the system's available options instead of being restricted to using only the first-come, first-served aspect of this system.  (Background Report 12/18/08) (Background Report 1/9/09)
    2. Draft Rules
      1. Public Hunting on South Florida Water Management District Lands within the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (Draft Rules) (Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Presentation)
        • 68A-15.006, Regulations Relating to Miscellaneous Areas - The proposed draft rule would establish season dates and area specific regulations for the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area as follows:
          • Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Area (New) - establish a new public hunting area in the Northeast Region with the following open seasons (no quota permits required): 30-day archery season, five-day crossbow season, nine-day muzzleloading gun season, 72-day general gun season, 114-day small game season, 58-day fall turkey season, statewide migratory bird season (except crow may be taken during the first phase of crow season only), 37-day spring turkey season; allow wild hog hunting with firearms; fishing and frogging year-round; prohibit trapping; legal to take - all legal game, gobbler or bearded turkey, wild hog, non-protected mammals, furbearers, fish and frogs; prohibit the take of antlerless deer during all seasons; prohibit the take of wild hog with a gun from one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise; prohibit hunting deer with dogs; prohibit the take of bobcat and otter; prohibit baiting; prohibit the take of deer on the West Shore, East Shore and Drasdo Units; prohibit the use of centerfire rifles on the West, East and Northwest Shore Units; allow treestands only from ten-days prior to archery season through ten-days after the close of general gun season.
      2. Public Hunting on the Babcock Ranch Preserve (Babcock Ranch Presentation)
        • 68A-15.006, Regulations Relating to Miscellaneous Areas - The proposed draft rule would establish season dates and area specific regulations for the Babcock Ranch Preserve as follows:
          • Babcock Ranch Preserve (New) - establish a new public hunting area in the Southwest Region with the following open seasons: two four-day archery hunts (quota 40, no exemptions), one three-day muzzleloading gun hunt (quota 40, no exemptions), one three-day general gun for mobility-impaired hunt (quota 25), two two-day family hunts (quota 30, no exemptions), three three-day general gun hunts (quota 40, no exemptions), four two-day (weekends) small game hunts, two three-day spring turkey hunts (quota 15, no exemptions); prohibit fishing and frogging; prohibit trapping; legal to take - all legal game and wild hog; allow one antlered and one antlerless deer to be take per quota permit during the archery season, family hunt and general gun for mobility-impaired hunt; allow one antlered deer per person to be taken during the muzzleloading gun and general gun seasons; public access will be restricted to permitted hunters and youth and allowed only on hunt days and one day prior to each hunt for scouting; prohibit the use of tracked vehicles, airboats, all-terrain vehicles (except during the mobility-impaired hunt), unlicensed and unregistered motorcycles, and swamp buggies; allow vehicles to only be operated on named or numbered roads and require vehicles to be parked within 25 feet of an open road or in parking areas; allow the use of all-terrain vehicles and off-road travel during the general gun mobility-impaired hunt; require all hunters to enter at a designated entrance, check in and out at the check station and check all game taken.
  5. Staff Reports
    1. Update on Youth Conservation Centers - This report will provide an update on progress at the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center near Tallahassee and efforts to develop a new youth conservation center at the Commission's Tenoroc Fish Management Area near Lakeland. (Youth Conservation Centers Presentation)
    2. Legislative and Budget Update - This report will provide a status of budget issues and an update on the agency's legislative proposals. (Legislative Report) (Budget Update)
  6. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
  7. Commissioner Exchange
  8. Recess Wednesday's Portion of Meeting

8:30 a.m., Thursday, February 5, Reconvene

  1. Items Requiring Action
    1. Final Rules
      1. Red Snapper Consistency Rules (Red Snapper Presentation) (Background Report 1/9/09) (Red Snapper Presentation Update)
        1. 68B-14.0038, Recreational Red Snapper Season - The proposed rule would amend the Commission's Reef Fish Rule to conform the recreational red snapper fishing season in state waters with the recreational red snapper fishing season in federally-managed waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  The proposed rule would change the recreational red snapper fishing season in state waters from April 15 through October 31 to June 1 through September 30. 
      2. Spiny Lobster Trap Reduction (Spiny Lobster Presentation) (Background Report 1/9/09)
        1. 68B-24.009, Trap Reduction Schedule - The proposed rule would end the moratorium on the reduction of lobster trap certificates and amend the lobster trap certificate reduction schedule.  Upon transfer the number of certificates received by the purchaser would be reduced by ten percent.  Reductions would only occur upon the sale or transfer of lobster trap certificates outside the immediate family of the certificate holder.
      3. Marine Life (Marine Life Presentation) (Background Report 1/9/09)

        The following proposed rules pertain to the harvest of marine life, which is the live harvest of over 600 marine fish, invertebrates, and plants, primarily for the aquarium trade.
        1. 68B-42.001, Purpose and Intent: Designation of Restricted Species; Definitions - The proposed rule would add new fish and invertebrate species to the list of species for which a marine life endorsement is required for commercial harvest and for which the 20-organism bag limit applies for recreational harvest.  Language would also be added to state that Special Activity Licenses can be issued to authorize activities that require a waiver of the marine life rules.  Updates would be made to statutory references due to the consolidation of Chapters 370 and 372 into Chapter 379, Florida Statutes (F.S.).
        2. 68B-42.002, Definitions - The proposed rule would add a definition of fork length for the purpose of measuring tangs.
        3. 68B-42.004, Size Limits - The proposed rule would modify the size limits of three fish species for recreational and commercial harvest including establishing maximum size limits for parrotfish and tangs, and widening the slot limit on butterflyfish.
        4. 68B-42.005, Bag Limit -  The proposed rule would change the recreational bag limit to allow no more than five of any one species within the 20-organism daily bag limit.  It would create a recreational two-day possession limit of harvested organisms.  Allowable tools would be specified for the recreational harvest of corallimorphs and zoanthids.  An allowable substrate amount of one-inch surrounding the holdfast of ornamental sponges harvested north of Egmont Key would be specified
        5. 68B-42.006, Commercial Season, Harvest Limits - The proposed rule would establish a vessel maximum limit for dwarf seahorses and emerald crabs, and establish a personal possession and a vessel possession limit for zoanthid polyps, corallimorph polyps, and scarlet hermit crabs.  The proposed rule would decrease the vessel maximum limit on condylactis aneomones and add the snail Lithopoma tectum to the current star snail personal and vessel maximums.  It would also establish a personal possession and vessel possession limit for butterflyfish instead of the current vessel maximum.  Tools for the taking of corallimorph and zoanthid polyps would be specified.  An allowable substrate amount of one-inch surrounding the holdfast of ornamental sponges harvested north of Egmont Key would be specified.  Updates would be made to existing harvest restriction wording to make it more consistent with the endorsement program.  Updates would be made to statutory references due to the consolidation of Chapters 370 and 372 into Chapter 379, F.S.
        6. 68B-42.0065, Commercial Requirements; Endorsements; Requalifying; Appeals; Leasing; Transferability - The proposed rule would modify requalification criteria for the Marine Life Transferable Dive endorsement to allow live rock landings, consistent with their allowance for the initial qualification.  Updates would be made to statutory references due to the consolidation of Chapters 370 and 372 into Chapter 379, F.S..
        7. 68B-42.007, Gear Specifications and Prohibited Gear - The proposed rule would only allow the use of quinaldine by the Marine Life Transferable Dive endorsement and Marine Life Non-transferable Dive endorsement holders.
        8. 68B-42.009, Prohibition on the Taking, Destruction, or Sale of Marine Corals and Sea Fans; Exception; Repeal of Section 370.114, F.S. - The proposed rule would remove the references to Florida Marine Patrol and the Department of Environmental Protection and replace these with the FWC Division of Law Enforcement and the correct permits from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, respectively.  Updates would be made to statutory references due to the consolidation of Chapters 370 and 372 into Chapter 379, F.S.  Updates would also be made to correct references to federal rules and to delete references to Section 370.114, F.S., which has been repealed.
      4. Blue Crab Closed Season (Blue Crab Closure Presentation) (Background Report 1/9/09)

        The following proposed rules pertain to the blue crab trap harvest and potential closed seasons to identify lost and abandoned traps.
        • 68B-45.0045, Closed Seasons - The proposed rule would establish six regional statewide closures for blue crab traps, of up to ten days each, to facilitate identification and retrieval of lost and abandoned blue crab traps.  These regional closures would be as follows:  i) waters of the St. Johns River System, January 16-25; ii) all other coastal waters from the Georgia state line south through Volusia County, August 20-29; iii) all waters of Brevard County through Palm Beach County, August 10-19; iv) all waters of Broward County through Pasco County, July 10-19; v) all waters of Hernando County through Wakulla County; July 20-29; and vi) all waters of Jefferson County to the Alabama state line, January 5-14.  All closures except the St. Johns River System would extend to three miles from shore.  The proposed rule would also incorporate the language for the current Gulf Seasonal Closure Region that is listed in 68B-45.006 so that all season language is in one section of the rule.
        • 68B-45.006, Other Prohibitions - The proposed rule would transfer the current Gulf Seasonal Closure Region language from this section to 68B-45.0045, F.A.C.
    2. Draft Rules

      Blue Crab Civil Penalties (Blue Crab Civil Penalties Presentation)
      1. 68B-45.008, Commission Policy Regarding Assessment of Civil Penalties - The proposed draft rule establishes administrative penalties for violations of requirements of the Blue Crab Effort Management Program. These administrative penalties are authorized by statute (Section 379.366, F.S.) and will apply to violations such as untagged traps, trap molestation, illegal barter of tags and trap theft.  The proposed draft rule would standardize penalty assessments by creating a tiered system that allows the penalties to be assessed relative to the severity of the violation and the number of previous violations up to the maximum amount allowed. This proposed draft rule would be consistent with existing rules establishing administrative penalties for the stone crab and spiny lobster fisheries in rules 68B-13 and 68E-18 F.A.C, respectively.
    3. Issues (Flounder Review & Discussion Presentation)
      1. Review and discussion of flounder life history, stock status and requests to increase the bycatch allowance of flounder in shrimp trawls, reduce the recreational flounder bag limit, and prohibit the use of gigs to harvest flounder.
    4. Federal Issues
      1. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Federal Issues SAFMC Presentation)

        Review and discussion of scheduled actions of the Council regarding proposed "annual catch limits" and "accountability measures" for  the 10 species of snapper or grouper identified by the Council as undergoing overfishing.  Update on National Marine Fisheries Service actions to implement the Council's Amendment 16 for groupers and vermilion snapper.  Report on upcoming Council issues being considered during the March 2009 meeting.
      2. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Federal Issues GMFMC Presentation)

        Review and discussion of scheduled actions of the Council regarding the aquaculture amendment; sector allocation issues; bycatch of sea turtles in the reef fish fishery; grouper individual fishing quota referendum results; allocation of greater amberjack, triggerfish, red and gag grouper; for-hire sector management issues; and king mackerel.
  2. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
  3. Commissioner Exchange
  4. Commission Administrative Matters
    1. The next regular Commission meeting is scheduled April 15-16, 2009, Tallahassee, commencing at 8:30 a.m. each day.
  5. Adjournment

Visit our web site at MyFWC.com agenda materials

Consent Agenda - [February 4-5, 2009]

  1. Boating Safety Information (Consent Agenda)
    1. 68D-36.109, Boating Safety Information to be displayed at boat rental facilities - The proposed rule would establish standards for safety information to be displayed to the public by boat rental facilities as required by Section 327.54, F.S.
  2. Final rules to codify rule amendments to rule chapter 68B-8, Special Activity Licenses (SAL) (Consent Agenda) (Consent Agenda)
    1. The following proposed rules pertain to Marine Special Activity Licenses (SALs) which allow harvest, possession, or release of marine organisms that would be in violation of one or more of the state's marine fisheries rules. Such activities include but are not limited to scientific research, education/exhibition, aquaculture, the use of non-conforming or innovative gear, and the release of marine organisms.  The rules under Chapter 68B-8, F.A.C., provide guidelines for the evaluation of an activity that would require waiver of state marine fisheries rules and issuance of SALs.
      1. 68B-8.002, Definitions -  The proposed rule would define or re-define terms that are used throughout the rule.  The proposed definitions to be defined are: bred in captivity, captivity, catadromous, estuarine, and release. The definition of marine organism is re-defined.
      2. 68B-8.003 General Conditions and Restrictions -  The proposed rule would add a second window for submission of Education/Exhibit SAL applications involving prohibited marine species [adding April 1; currently only November 1].  It would exempt aquaculture activities from the SAL requirement if the activity is pursuant to an agreement between FWC and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that ensures the health and genetic diversity of wild fisheries stocks.  The rule would add a requirement for an SAL in order to tag fish, while allowing an exception for tournaments to tag up to five fish for purposes of awarding prizes.  The rule would allow for the continued possession of specimens obtained under an SAL that has expired.
      3. 68B-8.006, Scientific Research Special Activity License -  The proposed rule would add research activities associated with restoration and mitigation as allowable under a Research SAL.
      4. 68B-8.007, Education/Exhibition Special Activity License -  The proposed rule would add consideration of the physical environment where specimens will be kept, taking into account maximum size and life span of the species.
      5. 68B-8.008, Florida Marine Science Educators Certification - The proposed rule would clarify that the certification is not limited to marine species.
      6. 68B-8.009 Prohibited Species Collection Criteria -  The proposed rule would provide applicants with more concise criteria regarding how requests to collect prohibited species is evaluated.
      7. 68B-8.010 Stock Collection and Release Special Activity License -  The proposed rule would exempt activities conducted pursuant to an agreement between the FWC and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that ensures the health and genetic diversity of wild fisheries stocks from the SAL requirement, would update genetic standards for release activities including incorporation by reference of the genetic risk assessment flow chart, and would modify health certification requirements based on recommendations made by participants of a Marine Animal Health workshop held by the FWC in January 2008.
      8. 68B-8.011 Aquaculture Broodstock Collection Special Activity License - The proposed rule would clarify eligibility criteria for applicants.
      9. 68B-8.012 Snook Special Activity License - The proposed rule would allow a holder of this SAL to transfer brood stock or progeny to another SAL holder.
      10. 68B-8.013 Non-Conforming Gear Special Activity Licenses and Exemptions -  The proposed rule would allow scientific researchers to apply for and receive this license in order to test experimental gears.
      11. 68B-8.014 Marine Chemical Special Activity License - The proposed rule would provide consistency with recent changes to the licensing requirements for the Marine Life fishery.
  3. Approval of Establishment Orders for Wildlife Environmental and Wildlife Management Areas:
    1. Wildlife Environmental Area (WEA) 09-01, Watermelon Pond WEA - The proposed order establishes the Watermelon Pond WEA in Alachua County comprising approximately 1,287 acres. (Watermelon Pond Order)
    2. WEA 09-02, Crooked Lake WEA - The proposed order establishes the Crooked Lake WEA in Polk County comprising approximately 1,147 acres. (Crooked Lake Order)
    3. WEA 09-03, Janet Butterfield Brooks WEA - The proposed order establishes the Janet Butterfield Brooks WEA in Hernando County comprising approximately 319 acres. (Janet Butterfield Brooks Order)
    4. WEA 09-04, Bell Ridge Longleaf WEA - The proposed order establishes the Bell Ridge Longleaf WEA in Gilchrest County comprising approximately 720 acres. (Bell Ridge Longleaf Order)
    5. WEA 09-05, Lafayette Forest WEA - The proposed order establishes the Lafayette Forest WEA in Lafayette County comprising approximately 2,148 acres. (Lafayette Forest Order)
    6. WMA 09-01, Lake Monroe WMA - The proposed order establishes the Lake Monroe WMA in Volusia County comprising approximately 2,785 acres. (Lake Monroe Order)
  4. 68A-5.001,  Issuance of Statutory Licenses, Stamps and Permits; Issuance of Duplicates - The proposed change would repeal this rule section, which references an outdated process for issuing a duplicate license. (Proposed Rule Repeal) (Consent Agenda)
  5. Final rules to codify hunting season date changes on Wildlife Management Areas and Wildlife and Environmental Areas. (Consent Agenda)
    1. 68A-15.061, Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Southwest Region - The proposed rule changes would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southwest Region.
    2. 68A-15.062, Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - North Central Region - The proposed rule changes would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the North Central Region.
    3. 68A-15.063, Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northwest Region - The proposed rule changes would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northwest Region.
    4. 68A-15.064, Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas -South Region - The proposed rule changes would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the South Region.
    5. 68A-15.065, Specific Regulations for Wildlife Management Areas - Northeast Region - The proposed rule changes would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Northeast Region.
    6. 68A-17.005, Specific Regulations for Wildlife and Environmental Areas - The proposed rule changes would adjust season dates to conform to calendar year changes on Wildlife and Environmental Areas.  

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