Aquatic Plants Licenses & Permits

Freshwater Aquatic Plants

Aquatic vegetation plays an important role in maintaining and protecting water quality, providing shoreline stabilization and ensuring balanced fish and wildlife populations. Therefore, Florida law (F.S. 369.20) requires all persons intending to control or remove aquatic vegetation from the waters of the state to obtain a permit from the Commission's Invasive Plant Management Section unless an exemption for the activity has been provided in statute or rule (Chapters 68F-20).

Application and laws for removing freshwater aquatic plants:

• FWC Aquatic Plant Removal Permit Application (35KB)
• Statutes
• Rules for Removing Aquatic Plants
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For questions about obtaining these permits, please contact Mr. Robert Kipker at  Rob.Kipker@myfwc.com or call 850-617-9430.

FWC does not require permits for freshwater plant collectors or aquarium plant dealers.  However, anyone conducting a business activity using aquatic plants must be permitted by the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services (DOACS), Division of Plant Industry.  The DOACS regulates nursery and nursery stock dealers, retail outlets (pet stores) and the wild collection of aquatic plants.  For a list of DOACS office locations and inspectors please call 352/372-3505.

Saltwater Aquatic Plants

A saltwater fishing license is required to harvest marine organisms, including plants.  Some species of saltwater aquatic vegetation are regulated within the Marine Life rules. For more information about these species, please visit the Marine Life page.

Saltwater Products Licenses are required to commercially harvest or sell marine plants.