(4) EVALUATION CRITERIA.
(a) In addition to the evaluation criteria
set forth in subsection
68B-8.004(2),
F.A.C., an application for a Scientific Research SAL involving prohibited
species will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
1. The credentials of the principal
investigator, including publications and professional
accomplishments.
2. A review of
relevant literature and a determination of whether the proposed work is new or
is replicating prior published findings.
3. A review of how the research project is
designed to minimize the mortality or total harvest levels of the prohibited
species to be collected.
4.
Disposition plan for any prohibited species permanently removed from the
system.
5. Whether or not
prohibited species collection from Florida waters or the adjacent EEZ is the
only option for successful completion of the research project.
6. Whether or not published project results
will contribute to one or more of the following: improved management of
prohibited species in captivity or in the wild, increased understanding of
prohibited species population dynamics or ecology, benefits to Florida's marine
conservation and resource management interests, and contributions to basic and
applied science.
7. If any species
requested on an SAL application form is listed by the FWC as Endangered,
Threatened, or a Species of Special Concern, additional evaluation criteria for
such species set forth in Chapter 68A-27, F.A.C., or Chapter 379, F.S. if
applicable, will be applied.
(b) In addition to the evaluation criteria
set forth in subsection
68B-8.004(2),
F.A.C., an application for an Education/Exhibition SAL involving prohibited
species will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
1. Professional aquarium facility
accreditation.
2. Existence of a
prohibited species captive breeding program or of a prohibited species-related
husbandry or prohibited species research program.
3. Financial or material support of
prohibited species research conducted by other entities.
4. Hosted conferences, workshops, or symposia
addressing prohibited species husbandry, conservation, or management within the
previous year.
5. Educational media
and programs accompanying the displays for prohibited species, as well as the
conservation message relating to the prohibited species.
6. Whether or not acquisition of the
prohibited species is in compliance with the facility's collecting plan or
acquisition policy, including any facility disposition or deaccession policies
that are relevant to the requested prohibited species in the future.
7. The current inventory of all prohibited
species located at the facility.
8.
Whether or not non-prohibited species could be utilized in lieu of prohibited
species to meet educational or exhibitional objectives.
9. Whether or not prohibited species
collection from Florida waters or the adjacent EEZ is the only option for
acquiring the prohibited species, or if the prohibited species may be acquired
from areas where the stock is not prohibited from harvest, from captive
breeding programs, through loan from another aquarium, or from an aquaculture
facility.
10. Whether or not the
requested collection is consistent with the "Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission Marine Prohibited Species Policy, September 2009" which
is hereby adopted as a rule of the Commission and is incorporated herein by
reference.
