68B-8.0131. Gear Innovation Special Activity License

(1) The purpose of a Gear Innovation SAL is to allow for harvesting gear not historically or traditionally used within Florida to be evaluated, monitored, and tested. The Commission may use the information collected pursuant to a Gear Innovation SAL to evaluate the impact that a proposed gear type would have on the stock of the species targeted, species not targeted but incidentally harvested, and the marine environment, as well as to determine if the gear could be responsibly introduced into general use. However, a Gear Innovation SAL may not be issued for the harvest of oysters in Apalachicola Bay or prohibited species. (2) Eligibility – A Gear Innovation SAL may be issued only to a person who meets all of the requirements of paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) as follows: (a) An individual who: 1. Holds all of the applicable commercial harvesting licenses, permits, or endorsements required for the fishery requested for harvest pursuant to the SAL; 2. Has at least five years’ experience as a commercial harvester in Florida; 3. Except for requests related to the harvest of non-native species, has landings of the species targeted for harvest with the innovative gear; and 4. Has working knowledge of the area where the gear will be tested. (b) An applicant eligible to receive a Scientific Research SAL pursuant to Rule 68B-8.006, F.A.C. (3) Fees and Application – (a) The processing fee for a Gear Innovation SAL is $25.00. A processing fee is non-refundable. (b) An applicant for a Gear Innovation SAL must complete and submit a Gear Innovation SAL Application form (Form DMF-GISAL (May 2026)), which is incorporated herein by reference and is available at http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19568. (4) Evaluation Criteria – In addition to the evaluation criteria set forth in subsection 68B-8.003(8), F.A.C., an applicant for a Gear Innovation SAL will be evaluated based on the following criteria: (a) Construction of the proposed gear. (b) Intended use of the proposed gear and any potential impacts on the marine environment. (c) Impact on the species targeted for harvest with the proposed gear and any species that may be harvested incidentally. (d) Benefits to the state through the use of the innovative gear. (5) License Period – The valid license period for a Gear Innovation SAL shall not exceed 1 year (12 months). (6) License Conditions – (a) A licensee must comply with all conditions set forth under a Gear Innovation SAL. (b) The Commission may include license conditions or restrictions under a Gear Innovation SAL related to the following subjects as they apply to activities authorized under such license: 1. On-site supervision of all activities conducted pursuant to the SAL. 2. Compliance with any commercial regulations established for the species being harvested, including but not limited to seasons, limits on harvest and sale, area closures, size limits, and documentation and reporting requirements for the commercial sale of marine organisms. (7) A contractor may not conduct activities authorized pursuant to a Gear Innovation SAL. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 7-29-26.