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Meeting Agenda

Date: Aug 13, 2025 Time: 8:30 am
Date: Aug 14, 2025 Time: 8:30 am
Location:

Florida Public Safety Institute
Conference Center Building
85 Academy Dr. Havana, FL 32333

Public comments will be accepted in person during the meeting.
This meeting is open to the public
August 2025 Minutes

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) is committed to providing an opportunity for public input at each Commission meeting. The Commission is offering the opportunity for stakeholders to provide their comments on agenda items in advance, as well as in person. For in-person comments, please review the speaker registration guidelines at www.myfwc.com/about/commission/. Advance comments were due no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the first day of the meeting. If you would like to provide comments via mail, please send them to the following address:

FWC Commissioners
620 South Meridian St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399

To accommodate public input at meetings, the Chairman reserves the right to determine the amount of time given to agenda items and public comments. If you do not wish or are unable to speak at the meeting but would like to provide comments on agenda items, you may do so using the online comment form or by contacting the Commissioners directly via email. To provide comments for items not on the agenda, you may do so by contacting the Commissioners directly via email at commissioners@myfwc.com.

At the meeting, the Commission may take action on any agenda item presented, including staff reports. Agenda items may be re-ordered, moved to a different day, or rescheduled to a different meeting as determined by the Chairman. The meeting may include fact-finding field trips to learn about research, management and enforcement activities.

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

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 2 calendar days before the meeting by calling 850-488-6411 or contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (Voice), if you are hearing or speech impaired. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, or if you need more information, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at: FWC, Office of Human Resources, 620 S Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-488-6411. Or write to: Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

8:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 13

  1. Call to Order
    1. Call to Order
    2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
  2. Administrative Matters
    1. Approve May 2025 Commission Meeting Minutes
    2. Approve Regular Meeting Agenda
    3. Approve Consent Agenda
      Details for all consent agenda items are listed at the end of this document. Any questions about a consent agenda item should be addressed to agency staff prior to the Commission meeting. Any item not approved as part of the consent agenda may be moved to the regular agenda or postponed at the discretion of the Chairman.
  3. Executive Director’s Report
  4. Awards and Recognition
    1. 2025 Florida Python Challenge™
    2. Shikar Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year

BREAK

  1. Items Requiring Action
    1. Final Rules – Florida Black Bear Hunt. At its May 2025 meeting, Commissioners approved proposed rules for a range of options for black bear hunting in 2025 and beyond. Staff will present the final amendments to hunting rules that establish a sustainable and repeatable bear hunt structure based on bear population information. The proposed rule language is provided in background documents for this item.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than two hours. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      5A Summary Memo | 5A Presentation PDF | 5A Presentation PowerPoint | 5A 68A-1.004 | 5A 68A-4.009 | 5A 68A-9.007 | 5A 68A-12 | 5A 68A-13 | 5A 68A-15 | 5A 68A-17

ANTICIPATED LUNCH BREAK

    1. Proposed Final Rule – Listing Evaluation for Holbrook’s Southern Dusky Salamander and Alligator Gar. Staff will recommend listing the alligator gar and southern dusky salamander as State Threatened, and present proposed rule to add these species to the list of candidate species in 68A-27.0021 F.A.C. The FWC received a request to evaluate these species in 2022 and the Commission-appointed Biological Review Group determined both species meet criteria for listing, as summarized in the peer-reviewed Biological Status Review Reports. The final listing status changes would occur after Commission approval of a Species Action Plan with Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines at a future meeting.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).

      Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule amendments and file for adoption as soon as possible. If the rule amendments are approved for both advertisement and final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
      5B Summary Memo | 5B Presentation PDF | 5B Presentation PowerPoint | 5B 68A-27.0021 | 5B Background Report
    2. Proposed Final Rule – Burrowing Owl Guidelines Revision. Staff will provide an overview and seek final approval for the revision of the Permitting Guidelines for the Florida Burrowing Owl. Staff will also seek approval to publish a Notice of Proposed Rule to add the Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines to Rule 68A-27.003, F.A.C.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).

      Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule amendments and file for adoption as soon as possible. If the rule amendments are approved for both advertisement and final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
      5C Summary Memo | 5C Presentation PDF | 5C Presentation PowerPoint | 5C 68A-27.003 | 5C Background Report
    3. Proposed Final Rule – Nassau and Duval Counties Inshore Shrimp Fishing. Staff have investigated stakeholder requests for changes to shrimp regulations in northeast Florida and used public input to develop recommendations for a proposed final rule. Staff will present a recommendation for a proposed final rule change to 68B-31.004, F.A.C., that would increase the dead shrimp allowance for live bait harvesters in Nassau and Duval counties to match the dead shrimp allowance elsewhere in Florida.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).

      Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule amendment and file for adoption as soon as possible. If the rule amendment is approved for both advertisement and final adoption, Commission staff will file the rule for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
      5D Summary Memo | 5D Presentation PDF | 5D Presentation PowerPoint | 5D 68B-31.004
    4. Proposed Rule – Gulf Lane Snapper Regulations. Staff will provide a recommendation for proposed rules to modify the recreational and commercial minimum size limit and establish a recreational bag limit for lane snapper in Gulf state waters. Lane snapper is primarily a Florida fishery, and harvest has exceeded overfishing limits in recent years, leading to early closures. Proposed rule changes are intended to help prevent overfishing, reduce the likelihood of early closures, and increase regulatory consistency between Gulf state and federal waters.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      5E Summary Memo | 5E Presentation PDF | 5E Presentation PowerPoint | 5E 68B-14.0035 | 5E 68B-14.0036
  2. Staff Reports
    1. Gulf Council Report. Staff will report on actions and discussions from the Gulf Council’s June 3-4 meeting. Topics will include gag and red grouper season updates, federal changes regarding several other grouper species and Spanish mackerel, and other topics relevant to Florida.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      6A Summary Memo | 6A Presentation PDF | 6A Presentation PowerPoint
    2. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Report. Staff will report on actions and discussions from the SAFMC’s June 9-13 meeting. Topics will include updates on NOAA Fisheries’ Secretarial Amendment and FWC’s Atlantic Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) Projects, reopening a historical commercial rock shrimp fishing area off Florida, and other topics relevant to Florida.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      6B Summary Memo | 6B Presentation PDF | 6B Presentation PowerPoint
  3. Recess Wednesday’s portion of the meeting no later than 5:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m., Thursday, August 14

  1. Call to Order
  2. Items Requiring Action
    1. Proposed Rules – Apalachicola Bay Oyster Management and Statewide Regulations. Staff will provide a recommendation for proposed rules to update oyster management in Apalachicola Bay, including harvest regulations, to reopen the bay’s oyster fishery in a manner that continues to promote oyster resource recovery and long-term harvest opportunities. Staff will also provide recommendations for proposed rules to update regulations that apply to oyster harvest statewide.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than one hour. (This item may be moved to day one or postponed).
      9A Summary Memo | 9A Presentation PDF | 9A Presentation PowerPoint | 9A 68B-27.001 | 9A 68B-27.002 | 9A 68B-27.003 | 9A 68B-27.004 | 9A 68B-27.0041 | 9A 68B-27.005 | 9A 68B-27.006 | 9A 68B-27.007 | 9A 68B-27.008 | 9A 68B-27.009 Option 1 | 9A 68B-27.009 Option 2 | 9A 68B-27.011 | 9A 68B-27.013 | 9A 68B-27.014 | 9A 68B-27.015 | 9A 68B-27.016 | 9A 68B-27.017 | 9A 68B-27.0175 | 9A 68B-27.018 | 9A 68B-27.019 | 9A 68B-27.020
    2. Final Rules – Protections for a Bonefish Pre-Spawning Aggregation in Biscayne National Park. Staff will present recommendations for final rules to amend Chapter 68B-7, F.A.C., to create a Bonefish Seasonal Closed Area within Biscayne National Park that would seasonally prohibit all fishing in the area where bonefish aggregate prior to spawning. This seasonal closed area would protect bonefish from catch-and-release mortality while they are aggregating and prevent disruption of spawning.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day one or postponed).
      9B Summary Memo | 9B Presentation PDF | 9B Presentation PowerPoint | 9B 68B-7.002 | 9B 68B-7.008
  3. Future Agenda Items
  4. Commissioner Exchange
  5. Adjournment
    The next Commission meeting is scheduled for November 5-6, 2025, commencing at 8:30 a.m. each day.

Consent Agenda

Any questions about consent agenda items should be addressed to agency staff prior to the Commission meeting.

  1. Proposed Final Rule – Federal Consistency for 3 species. Staff seek approval to update Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List to maintain consistency with federal listing determinations for 3 species. Two species, the Barbour’s map turtle (currently State-designated Threatened) and Escambia map turtle (currently not listed) will be updated to Federally-designated Threatened due to Similarity of Appearance. The Suwannee alligator snapping turtle (currently State-designated Threatened) will be updated to Federally-designated Threatened. If approved, staff will publish a Notice of Proposed Rule for Rule 68A-27.003, F.A.C. 

    Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rules and file for adoption as soon as possible. If the rules are approved for final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules as allowed by s. 120.54(6), Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    C1 Summary Memo | C1 68A-27.003
  2. Proposed Final Rule – Chapter 68D-24.0035 F.A.C. Protection Zones for Springs. Staff seek to amend rule language to current guidelines and criteria for the establishment of Springs Protection Zones in accordance with section 327.45, Florida Statutes. The proposed rule does not create any Springs Protection Zones.

    Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule amendments and file for adoption as soon as possible. If the rule amendments are approved for both advertisement and final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    C2 Summary Memo | C2 68D-24.0035
  3. Proposed Final Rule – Boating Infrastructure Grant Program and Florida Boating Improvement Program. The proposed changes to Rule 68-1.003, F.A.C., will include the adoption by reference of updated guidelines for the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program and Florida Boating Improvement Program. Guideline language and scoring criteria have been updated to reflect a new electronic application process as well as to provide more detailed information on the application process to assist applicants in producing competitive, high-quality grant applications.

    Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule amendments and file for adoption as soon as possible. If the rule amendments are approved for both advertisement and final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    C3 Summary Memo | C3 68-1.003 | BIGP Guidelines Background Document | FBIP Guidelines Background Document
  4. Proposed Final Rule – Florida Freedom Boater Decal. Staff are seeking approval to amend Rule 68D-17.001, FAC; the proposed revision is to reflect statutory changes in F.S. 327.70 as a result of SB 1388. The changes direct the Commission and Department of Highway Safety Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to design and create a Florida Freedom Boater decal to be issued at the time vessel registration and/or renewal which signifies the vessel has met the safety equipment carriage and use requirements. Pursuant to SB 1388, the Commission is required to set the timeframe for decal expiration for no less than one (1) year and no more than 5 (five) years from the date of issuance.

    Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule amendments and file for adoption as soon as possible. If the rule amendments are approved for both advertisement and final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    C4 Summary Memo | C4 68D-17.001
  5. Proposed Final Rule – Hunting Regulations Regarding the Youth Turkey Hunt Season on WMAs. Staff are seeking approval of a proposed final rule amendment to Rule 68A-13.004, F.A.C., that would expand the Youth Turkey Hunt season from two to four days on 104 Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) that have existing youth turkey hunts. Additional proposed final rule amendments for Commission approval include changes to Rules 68A-15.061, 68A-15.062, 68A-15.063, 68A-15.065, and 68A-17.005, F.A.C., that would restrict access during Youth Turkey Hunt days on 21 WMAs to only those individuals who are participating in the hunts. Detailed proposed rule language is provided in background documents for this item.

    Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule amendments and file for adoption as soon as possible. If the rule amendments are approved for both advertisement and final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    C5 Summary Memo | C5 68A-13.004 | C5 68A-15.061 | C5 68A-15.062 | C5 68A-15.063 | C5 68A-15.065 | C5 68A-17.005
  6. Proposed Final Rule – Modifications to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Coral Formation Protection Zones. Staff are seeking approval of a proposed final rule amendment to Chapter 68B-24.0065, F.A.C., to resolve discrepancies between Coral Formation Protection Zone (CPZ) boundary coordinates described in rule and the areas currently marked by buoys on the water within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. These modifications would maintain conservation of Florida’s Coral Reef, and decrease the total acreage in which lobster harvest and trap deployment are prohibited.

    Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule amendments and file for adoption as soon as possible. If the rule amendments are approved for both advertisement and final adoption, Commission staff will file the rules for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    C6 Summary Memo | C6 Presentation PDF | C6 Presentation PowerPoint | C6 68B-24.0065
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