Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1)
PURPOSE. Unless authorized by the Commission pursuant to a Snook SAL, the
harvest of snook as broodstock for commercial aquaculture production purposes,
or the possession, transport, transfer, sale, receipt or purchase of snook
broodstock progeny is prohibited. The purpose of a Snook SAL is to allow such
activities to occur, and to ensure that they are conducted in a manner that
preserves the health and genetic diversity of the wild stock native to Florida
waters and the adjacent EEZ.
(2)
ELIGIBILITY.
(a) A Snook SAL for the harvest
of broodstock and production, possession, transport, transfer or sale of the
broodstock progeny may be issued only to an owner, director, or manager of a
certified aquaculture facility that does not directly discharge production unit
water to surface waters of the state.
(b) A Snook SAL for the receipt, purchase and
possession of broodstock progeny may be issued only to the following:
1. An owner, director, or manager of a
certified aquaculture facility that does not directly discharge production unit
water to surface waters of the state, is located in Florida, and is located in
the region of the state where the supplier's broodstock originated.
2. An owner of a private pond located in
Florida and in the region of the state where the supplier's broodstock
originated. The private pond must have no connection to surface waters of the
state and the lowest point of the top edge of its levee, dike, or bank must be
at least one foot above the 100-year flood plain by reference to elevation maps
issued by the National Flood Insurance Program of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
3. An owner,
director, or manager of a fully contained facility located in Florida and in
the region of the state where the supplier's broodstock originated. Such
facility must be open to the public and conduct activities for exhibitional
purposes.
(3)
FEES AND APPLICATION.
(a) The processing fee
for a Snook SAL is $25.00. A processing fee is non-refundable.
(b) An applicant for a Snook SAL must
complete and submit a Snook SAL application form provided by the Commission
(Form DMF-SSAL (9/09)).
(4) EVALUATION CRITERIA. In addition to the
evaluation criteria set forth in subsection
68B-8.004(2),
F.A.C., an applicant for a Snook SAL for the harvest of broodstock, and
production, possession, transport, transfer or sale of the broodstock progeny
will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
(a) The number and sex of snook requested for
broodstock harvest.
(b) The area of
broodstock harvest.
(c) Proposed
harvesting gears and methods.
(d)
Anticipated time period of harvest.
(e) Proposed spawning strategy.
(f) Broodstock disposition plan.
(g) The training and experience of the
applicant to successfully engage in snook aquaculture.
(h) Valid DOACS aquaculture certificate of
registration.
(5)
TRANSFER OR SALE OF BROODSTOCK PROGENY.
(a) A
holder of a Snook SAL issued for the harvest of broodstock, and production,
possession, transport, transfer or sale of the broodstock progeny may transfer
or sell broodstock progeny only to a holder of a valid Snook SAL for the
receipt, purchase and possession of broodstock progeny.
(b) A holder of a Snook SAL issued for the
harvest of broodstock, and production, possession, transport, transfer or sale
of the broodstock progeny must provide transfer documentation, a bill of sale
or other documentary evidence to each receiver or purchaser of broodstock
progeny, and must maintain a record of each transaction. The transfer
documentation, bill of sale or other documentary evidence must include the
name, address, and aquaculture certificate number of the certified aquaculture
facility conducting the transaction, the name and address of the entity
receiving or purchasing the broodstock progeny, the transaction date, the
quantity of progeny transferred or purchased, the receiver's Snook SAL number,
and the exact location where the progeny are being stocked or
maintained.
(6)
PAY-TO-FISH PONDS. A Snook SAL holder who is an owner of a private pond,
operates it as a pay-to-fish facility, and whose pond is stocked with progeny
obtained from a certified aquaculture facility that is a Snook SAL holder may
charge a fee to harvest snook in such ponds, provided:
(a) Snook are not sold on a per-pound or
per-fish basis.
(b) Snook removed
from the private property on which the pay-to-fish pond is located conform to
regional size limits, bag limits, and closed seasons, as specified in Division
68B, F.A.C.
(7) REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS. A Snook SAL holder for the harvest of broodstock and production,
possession, transport, transfer or sale of broodstock progeny must submit the
following:
(a) An activity report detailing
all SAL-related harvest or sampling activities that resulted in the permanent
retention of marine organisms. The activity report must include common and
scientific names of the marine organisms harvested (both targeted and
incidental), numbers and sizes harvested, locations of harvest by county, and
disposition of all marine organisms harvested. If SAL-related activities did
not result in the permanent retention or mortality of any marine organism, the
SAL holder must submit a statement to that effect.
(b) Documentation of each transfer or sale of
progeny, as specified in paragraph
68B-8.012(5)(b),
F.A.C.
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law
Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla.
Const.
New 7-1-04, Amended
11-19-09.
