68B-8.008. Aquatic Species Collection Certificate

(1) The Aquatic Species Collection Certificate (ASCC) provides a streamlined process to authorize members of the educational community with smaller collecting needs to conduct educational activities with aquatic organisms. The ASCC provides exemptions to certain saltwater and freshwater resource regulations to allow the holder to collect and temporarily possess aquatic organisms for up to 30 days for educational purposes. (2)(a) The Commission may enter into an agreement with a public or private education group or institution to provide Commission-approved training workshops for educators to promote best practices for the collection and maintenance of marine and freshwater organisms for educational activities. (b) Training standards – The training curriculum for such workshops must include, but is not limited to, the following subjects: 1. Rationale for collecting aquatic organisms. 2. Alternatives to the collection of live aquatic organisms. 3. Collection methods. 4. Minimization of environmental impacts. 5. Minimization of aquatic organism mortality. 6. Regulations and regulatory requirements. 7. Appropriate gear deployment and use. 8. Establishment of collecting teams. 9. Collection and documentation of field data. (c) The Commission shall maintain and shall provide a list of Commission-approved training workshop providers electronically at www.myfwc.com/license/saltwater/special-activity-licenses/. (3) Eligibility – An ASCC may be issued only to the following persons who have successfully completed a Commission-approved training workshop within the previous 36 months: (a) An instructor employed by, or under sponsorship of, a public or private elementary or secondary school. (b) An instructor employed by, or under sponsorship of, another educational institution or organization with courses of biological or aquatic studies. (c) An individual who teaches in a home education program maintained in accordance with Section 1002.41, F.S. (d) A representative of a home education program association. (4) Aquatic Species Collection Certificate Documentation – Upon verification of an applicant’s eligibility and that the applicant has successfully completed a Commission-approved training workshop within the previous 36 months, the Commission shall issue an Aquatic Species Collection Certificate to the applicant. (5) Certification Period – The valid period for an ASCC may not exceed 3 years (36 months). (6) A contractor may not conduct activities authorized pursuant to an ASCC. (7) Aquatic Species Collection Certificate Conditions – (a) A person issued an ASCC must comply with all conditions set forth under an Aquatic Species Collection Certificate. (b) A person issued an ASCC is subject to the General Conditions and Restrictions in subsections 68B-8.003(1) through (7), F.A.C. (c) The Commission may include conditions or restrictions under an Aquatic Species Collection Certificate related to the following subjects as they apply to activities authorized under such Certificate: 1. Conditions related to the collection of certain marine and freshwater organisms, including bag and temporary possession limits. 2. Conditions related to authorized or prohibited gear, methods, and activities as they apply to marine or freshwater areas. 3. Conditions related to designated authorized and prohibited marine or freshwater areas. 4. Conditions or restrictions related to the release of marine organisms. (8) An ASCC does not authorize the holder to collect or possess a prohibited species as defined in Rule 68B-8.002, F.A.C. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 7-1-04, Amended 11-19-09, 5-19-25, 2-1-26, 7-29-26.