68B-22.005 Regional Recreational Bag, and Vessel, and Possession Limits; Bag Limit for Captain and Crew on For-hire Trips; Sale Prohibited.

1. (1) Recreational Bag Limits – Except as provided in Rule 68B-22.007, F.A.C., a recreational harvester may not harvest or land per day or possess more redfish than the specified bag limit established in this subsection within the following regions while in or on Florida Waters, or on any dock, pier, bridge, beach, boat ramp, or other fishing site adjacent to such waters, and any parking location adjacent to said fishing sites:

   1. (a) Panhandle Region – One (1) redfish.
   2. (b) Big Bend Region – One (1) redfish.
   3. (c) Tampa Bay Region – One (1) redfish.
   4. (d) Sarasota Bay Region – One (1) redfish.
   5. (e) Charlotte Harbor Region – One (1) redfish.
   6. (f) Southwest Region – One (1) redfish.
   7. (g) Southeast Region – One (1) redfish.
   8. (h) Indian River Lagoon Region – A person may not harvest, land, or possess a redfish within the Indian River Lagoon Region.
   9. (i) Northeast Region – One (1) redfish.

2. (2) Recreational Vessel Limits – The persons aboard a vessel in or on Florida Waters may not collectively harvest, possess, or land more redfish than the specified vessel limit established in this subsection within the following regions. This provision will not be construed to authorize harvest or possession of redfish in excess of applicable bag limits.

   1. (a) Panhandle Region – Four (4) redfish.
   2. (b) Big Bend Region – Four (4) redfish.
   3. (c) Tampa Bay Region – Two (2) redfish.
   4. (d) Sarasota Bay Region – Two (2) redfish.
   5. (e) Charlotte Harbor Region – Two (2) redfish.
   6. (f) Southwest Region – Two (2) redfish.
   7. (g) Southeast Region – Two (2) redfish.
   8. (h) Indian River Lagoon Region – The persons aboard a vessel in or on the Indian River Lagoon Region may not harvest, possess, or land a redfish.
   9. (i) Northeast Region – Four (4) redfish.
3. (3) Captain and Crew Harvest Prohibited – On a vessel for hire, a person who is the captain or a crew member may not harvest or possess a redfish.
4. (4) Transport Possession Limit – No person shall possess more than four native red drum while in transit on land.
5. (5) Commercial Harvest Prohibited – A person may not harvest or land a redfish for commercial purposes from Florida Waters or possess a redfish from Florida Waters for commercial purposes.

6. (6) Sale of Native Redfish Prohibited –

   1. (a) A person may not purchase or sell a redfish that was harvested from Florida Waters.

   2. (b) 1. A person may purchase, sell, or possess a redfish that was legally harvested outside of Florida Waters that has entered the State of Florida in interstate commerce.

      2. A person in possession of a redfish for sale has the burden of establishing the chain of possession of such redfish beginning with the initial transaction after harvest by producing the appropriate receipt(s), bill(s) of sale, and bill(s) of lading. A person in possession of a redfish for sale has the burden of showing that such redfish originated from a point outside of Florida Waters and entered the state in interstate commerce. A person in possession of a redfish for sale must maintain, and shall promptly produce at the request of any duly authorized law enforcement officer, such documentation.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 2-12-87, Amended 1-1-89, 6-3-91, 1-1-96, Formerly 46-22.005, Amended 3-17-04, 2-1-12, 11-1-16, 9-1-22.