Proposed Rule Changes for Nonnative Species
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering changes to Chapter 68-5, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) that will address green iguana removal and sales from wild established populations in Florida. Green iguanas are a Prohibited species in Florida. One of the goals of these proposed changes is to allow and activate more Floridians to collect live invasive green iguanas from their established range within the state, as well as to create an allowance for transfer of live green iguanas to permit holders who are authorized to sell live green iguanas out-of-state.
The proposed changes would also address qualifications for sales of live green iguanas, caging requirements for juvenile green iguanas and tegus, batch marking wild-caught green iguanas for sale, Prohibited species pet permit renewals, clarification regarding importation of Conditional or Prohibited species kept as pets, and identify options for FWC Law Enforcement to place Prohibited species with exhibition facilities operating out of residential properties.
To obtain feedback on these concepts from the public, the FWC is hosting six virtual public meetings. Virtual public meetings will cover the following topics and take place during the below dates and times. More details on each topic can be found below.
Series 1 Topics:
- Sales of Wild-Caught Green Iguanas in Florida
- Qualifications for sales of green iguanas
- When qualifying entities can apply for a permit
- Transfer of Sales Permits to Spouse, Beneficiary, or New Business Owner
- Transfer Allowances for Eradication/Control Permit Holders to Prohibited Species Sales Permit Holders
- Batch Marking Wild-Caught Green Iguanas
Series 2 Topics:
- Prohibited Species Pet Permit Renewals
- Caging Requirements for Juvenile Tegus or Green Iguanas
- Options for FWC Law Enforcement Placement of Prohibited Species
- Conditional or Prohibited Species Cannot be Imported into Florida for Personal Use
*Note: Meetings of the same series number covers the same content. For example, if you attend a meeting listed in Series 1 you do not need to attend another meeting in that series.
Frequently Asked Questions
The proposed changes would impact Rules 68-5.003, and 68-5.007, F.A.C. The proposed concepts include topics relating to qualifications for commercial sales of live green iguanas, caging requirements for juvenile green iguanas or tegus, transfer allowances for eradication and control of nonnative species permit holders to Prohibited species sales permit holders, and batch marking live wild-caught juvenile green iguanas, Prohibited species pet permit renewals, options for FWC Law Enforcement Placement of Prohibited species, and clarification regarding importation of Conditional or Prohibited species kept as pets.
The goals of the proposed changes would be to allow and activate more Floridians to collect live green iguanas from Florida, create allowance to transfer those iguanas to permit holders who can sell them out-of-state, balance practical ways to mark green iguanas collected from the field with reasonable accountability for people in live possession of Prohibited species, provide FWC Law Enforcement with additional options for placing Prohibited species, and to maintain protections for Florida’s native wildlife resources.
Prohibited species pose a high risk to Florida's ecology, economy or human health and safety. Prohibited species may only be possessed for research, following approval of a research plan, and for public exhibition by qualifying facilities. Prohibited species may also be possessed for eradication and control activities by permitted entities. They may not be acquired or kept as personal pets or for commercial sale, with some limited exceptions.
There are limited exceptions for commercial sale of green iguanas and tegus by qualifying permitted entities. Permitted facilities and pet owners must meet strict biosecurity and caging requirements as outlined in Rule 68-5, F.A.C.
Additional regulations restrict the importation, possession and transfer of certain Prohibited species.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is currently soliciting input on proposed changes to Prohibited species regulations in Florida. Comments can be accepted through our online commenting form at any of our upcoming virtual public meetings or may be submitted to NonnativeSpeciesRules@MyFWC.com.
