68B-14.009. Reporting Requirement

The purpose and intent of this rule is to improve recreational harvest data collection capabilities for certain reef fish species by identifying the population of anglers and vessels for hire fishing for these species. (1) Recreational harvesters are required to report their intention to harvest or attempt to harvest certain reef fish species annually. A recreational harvester may not harvest, attempt to harvest, or possess the following reef fish species while aboard a vessel in or on Florida Waters, unless that person has reported their intention to do so to the State Reef Fish Survey. Under Section 379.401(1), F.S., failure to file reports required of persons who hold recreational licenses is a non-criminal infraction. (a) Amberjacks. 1. Almaco jack. 2. Banded rudderfish. 3. Greater amberjack. 4. Lesser amberjack. (b) Gray triggerfish. (c) Groupers. 1. Black grouper. 2. Gag grouper. 3. Red grouper. (d) Hogfish. (e) Snappers. 1. Mutton snapper. 2. Red snapper. 3. Vermilion snapper. 4. Yellowtail snapper. (2) Proof of submission of the report required in subsection (1), must be in the personal possession of the recreational harvester while the recreational harvester is harvesting, attempting to harvest or possessing these species aboard a vessel in Florida Waters. (3) Persons meeting the criteria outlined in Sections 379.353(2)(a), (i), (j), and (o), F.S., are exempt from the reporting requirement in subsection (1). (4) In accordance with Section 379.354(7)(e), F.S., owners, operators, or custodians of vessels for hire are required to report their intention to harvest or attempt to harvest certain reef fish species in the Atlantic Ocean during the years 2026, 2027, and 2028. A vessel for hire may not harvest, attempt to harvest, or possess red snapper, vermilion snapper, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, hogfish, gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, gray triggerfish, greater amberjack, lesser amberjack, banded rudderfish, or almaco jack within or without Florida Waters of the Atlantic Ocean, unless the owner, operator, or custodian for the vessel for hire has registered for the Atlantic For-Hire Reef Fish Registry on the agency’s website and reported their intention to harvest or attempt to harvest the species listed in this subsection. (a) Under Section 379.401(1), F.S., failure to file reports required of persons who hold recreational vessel licenses is a non-criminal infraction. (b) Proof of submission of the report required in subsection (4) must be aboard the vessel for hire while the vessel for hire is harvesting, attempting to harvest, or possessing these species in Florida Waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-26-14, Amended 6-11-18, 7-1-20, 9-1-26.