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FWC consolidates rules for nonnative
species;
Additional nonnative species now prohibited
April 11, 2007
Contact: Mary Scott Gilbert, (850) 410-5293; (850) 519-1540 cell
Florida’s nonnative species regulations are now
more user-friendly, thanks to a bit of rule-housekeeping
approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) Wednesday. The new rules consolidate
regulations on nonnative species into one chapter and expand
regulations beyond freshwater aquatic life and wildlife to
include marine life.
"The overriding purpose of the change is to get
all nonnative species regulations into one rule and incorporate
nonnative marine life into current regulations,” said Scott
Hardin, section leader for nonnative species with the FWC. "It
prohibits the release of nonnative marine life without a permit
and is by far the broadest statement FWC has made with regard to
nonnative species.”
Current regulations already prohibit the release
of nonnative freshwater aquatic life and wildlife. The new rule
outlines requirements to possess conditional and prohibited
nonnative species and names additional nonnatives to these
lists. The FWC does not issue permits for personal possession of
conditional or prohibited species because of the significant
potential to damage native flora and fauna. Only researchers,
exhibitors and those with stringent biosecurity can secure a
permit for prohibited nonnative species.
Most notable are changes in regulations for
owners of red-eared slider turtles. Current owners of red-eared
sliders may keep these turtles without a permit but may not be
in possession of a red-eared slider less than 4 inches long
after July 1, 2008. Albino and other unusual color varieties,
unique and unlikely to be wantonly discarded, are exempt. The
red-eared slider is the little green turtle sold by the hundreds
of millions in dime stores and pet shops. Released into the
wild, they interbreed with a native turtle species.
Another change prohibits future fish farms from
fee-fishing and outdoor culture of barramundi, a large predatory
fish from Australia. Existing facilities culturing barramundi
may continue to raise this species in outdoor ponds. FWC staff
will conduct a risk assessment to determine security measures
for the group of fishes known as Nile perches, including
barramundi.
"We propose to assess the practice of
fee-fishing,” Hardin said. "In general, barramundi is such a
popular sport fish that it may lead to temptation to stock them
in the state’s waters.”
New rules also add nutria to the list of
conditional species, prohibiting their possession and
distribution without a permit.
"These large, imported rodents have caused
significant damage to marsh vegetation in neighboring states,”
Hardin said. "We’re anxious to make sure Florida doesn’t sustain
that kind of damage.”
Giant African pouched rats – including the
Gambian pouched rat – also made the list of prohibited species.
For more information, visit
MyFWC.com/nonnatives. |
