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December 2024

Date: Dec 11, 2024 Time: 8:30 a.m.
Date: Dec 12, 2024 Time: 8: 30 a.m.
Location:

RP Funding Center
Sikes Hall
701 West Lime Street
Lakeland, Florida, 33815

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

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) is committed to providing opportunity for public input at each Commission meeting. The Commission is offering the opportunity for stakeholders to provide their comments in advance as well as in person. For in-person comments, please review the speaker registration guidelines at https://myfwc.com/about/commission/. Advance comments were due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6th. If you would like to provide comments via mail, please send those comments to the following address:

FWC Commissioners
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

To ensure adequate time to address the business needs of the Commission, there will be no more than two (2) hours of public comment on items not on the agenda at this meeting. Public comment on items not on the agenda will be heard at the end of Day 2, December 12th. The deadline for registration to speak on items not on the agenda is 10:00 a.m. on December 12th. For items not on the agenda, the Chair reserves the right to reduce the amount of time per speaker or the total number of speakers. To provide comments on items not on the agenda in advance, stakeholders can contact commissioners directly at commissioners@myfwc.com.

The Chair may opt to take action on any agenda item presented, even those listed as staff reports. Agenda items may be re-ordered or moved by the Chairman to accommodate scheduling issues. To accommodate as much input as possible from those attending, the Chair reserves the right to designate the amount of time given to an agenda item or speaker(s). The meeting may include fact-finding field trips to learn about management and enforcement activities.

If any person decides to challenge any decision with respect to any matter considered at the meeting, they 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 10 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, December 11.

  1. Call to Order
    1. Call to Order
    2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
  2. Administrative Matters
    1. Approve September 2024 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. Artist Recognition
    2. Shikar Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year
    3. Florida Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ FWC Collaborative Conservation Award

BREAK

  1. Items Requiring Action
    Budget and Legislative Report. Staff will seek approval of the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Legislative Budget Request and Agency Legislative Package.
    Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes.
    Summary Memo | Presentation
  2. Staff Reports
    Staff Report – Update on Implementation of the Florida Black Bear Management Plan. Staff will provide a 5-year update on implementation of the 2019 Florida Black Bear Management Plan. The update will include an overview of bear management efforts and current research activities in the four conservation focal areas identified in the management plan: population management, habitat conservation, human-bear conflict, and education and outreach.
    Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 1 hour.
    Summary Memo | Presentation
  3. Items Requiring Action
    1. Proposed Final Rule – Implementation and revisions to the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan(2012). Staff will provide an update on the implementation of the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan (2012), which is incorporated into rule by reference, and provide an overview of draft revisions to the Plan. The updated Plan addresses the conservation needs of the gopher tortoise in Florida for the next 10 years with a revised goal, objectives and updated conservation actions. Staff will seek approval to incorporate the updated Plan into rule.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 1 hour.
      Note: Staff is requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible. If the proposed rule is 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.
      Summary Memo | Presentation | Background Document | 68A-27.003

ANTICIPATED LUNCH BREAK

  1. Items Requiring Action
    1. Proposed Rule – Levy County Manatee Protection Zones. Staff will present proposed rules to modify Manatee Protection Zones located near the mouth of the Withlacoochee River in Levy County. The proposed changes would address manatee protection, enforcement concerns and boater safety in the area. Detailed proposed rules with maps are provided in the background documents for this item.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes.
      Summary Memo | Presentation | 68C-22.011
    2. Proposed Rules – Hunting Rules for 2025 – 2026. Staff will present proposed rule amendments to revise select statewide hunting regulations and specific area regulations on wildlife management areas, wildlife and environmental areas, and miscellaneous areas to accomplish management objectives. Detailed proposed rule language is provided in background documents for this item. If approved, staff will return to a future commission meeting for a final hearing.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 1 hour.
      Summary Memo | Presentation v2 | 68A-4.001 | 68A-12.002 | 68A-12.003 | 68A-13.007 | 68A-15.004 | 68A-15.005 | 68A-15.006 | 68A-15.061 | 68A-15.062 | 68A-15.063 | 68A-15.064 | 68A-15.065 | 68A-17.004 | 68A-17.005
    3. Federal Consistency – Gulf of Mexico Greater Amberjack. The most recent stock assessment found Gulf greater amberjack to be overfished and undergoing overfishing and, as a result, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) approved a new rebuilding plan, which included a quota reduction. To constrain recreational harvest to the reduced quota, the GMFMC modified the open recreational season to September 1 through October 31. Staff will request approval to modify the recreational season for greater amberjack in Gulf state waters in Chapter 68B-14, F.A.C., to be consistent with recent federal regulations.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes.
      Note: Staff is requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule amendments and file for adoption under the Federal Standards process. If approved, staff will follow the process for adoption of federal standards provided by section 120.54(6), Florida Statutes
      Summary Memo | Presentation | 68B-14.004
    4. Federal Consistency – Atlantic Gag and Black Grouper Recreational Changes. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) has approved changes for gag grouper to end overfishing and help rebuild the stock. Due to historical misidentification issues and the poor status of gag grouper, the Council also approved applying the same recreational changes to black grouper. Staff is requesting approval to modify gag and black grouper recreational limits in Atlantic state waters in Chapter 68B-14, F.A.C., to be consistent with pending and current federal regulations. Proposed changes include establishing a combined recreational vessel limit for both gag and black grouper of 2 fish per day and prohibiting the retention of gag and black grouper by captain and crew on for-hire trips.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes.
      Note: Staff is requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule amendments and file for adoption under the Federal Standards process. If approved, staff will follow the process for adoption of federal standards provided by section 120.54(6), Florida Statutes.
      Summary Memo | Presentation | 68B-14.0036
  2. Recess Wednesday’s portion of the meeting no later than 5:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m., Thursday, December 12.

  1. Call to Order
  2. Items Requiring Action
    Final Rules – Marine Special Activity License (SAL) Program. Staff will present final rule amendments to the Commission’s Marine Special Activity License rules in Chapter 68B-8, F.A.C., that would improve the operation of the SAL program. The changes would update SAL eligibility requirements, license periods, and license conditions; update the SAL program administration process; streamline the FWC Law Enforcement notification process for licensees; repeal the Dredge SAL; and update the Aquaculture Broodstock Collection and Stock Collection and Release SALs.
    Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes.
    Summary Memo | Presentation | 68B-8
  3. Staff Reports
    1. Stone Crab and Lobster Trap Endorsement Programs. Staff will provide an overview of the stone crab and lobster trap fisheries including the rules for trap endorsements and certificates (68B-13 and 68B-24, F.A.C.). This presentation will include an overview of issues identified by commercial fishers related to these rules, including vessel lease agreements and challenges for family members who want to work together. Staff will present future rulemaking options that could address some of these issues.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes.
      Summary Memo | Presentation v2 
    2. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) Report. Staff will report on actions and discussions from the GMFMC’s November 4-7 meeting. Expected topics include red snapper, lane snapper, several grouper species, and other updates on 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 1 or postponed).
      Summary Memo | Presentation
    3. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Report. Staff will report on actions and discussions from the SAFMC’s June 10-14, September 16-19, and December 2-6 meeting. Topics include red snapper, black sea bass, several grouper species, and updates on other discussions relevant to Florida. Staff will also provide an update on Florida’s Atlantic Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permit Project.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day 1 or postponed).
      Summary Memo | Presentation
  4. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
    Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 2 hours.
  5. Future Agenda Items
  6. Commissioner Exchange
  7. Adjournment
    The next Commission Meeting is scheduled for February 26-27, 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. Biological Review Group Appointments. Staff propose members of the Biological Review Group for the Wilson’s plover, Okaloosa darter, and blackbanded sunfish. Staff received listing evaluation requests for Wilson’s plover in 2023, and the initial biological vulnerability screening indicated additional evaluation was warranted by a biological review group. The Okaloosa darter was federally delisted in 2023, which triggers the FWC review process for the species. The Commission previously appointed the BRG for the blackbanded sunfish, however one member is no longer able to participate, and a new member is being proposed. Biological review group members are approved by the Commission to serve as the species or habitat experts that evaluate the conservation status of a species, as part of the state listing process for imperiled species. The listing process and criteria used for evaluation are outlined in Rule 68A-27, F.A.C.
    Summary Memo | Appointees