Each person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp in the Big Bend Region shall comply with the requirements specified in this rule.

1. (1) Recreational Harvesters.

   1. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) for a portion of the Big Bend Region, a recreational harvester may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Big Bend Region by or with the use of gear or methods not expressly permitted in subsection 68B-31.006(1), F.A.C.

   2. (b) Within the area described in subsection 68B-31.008(3), F.A.C., for a portion of the Big Bend Region, a recreational harvester may harvest shrimp only by or with the following gear:

      1. Landing or dip net with an opening no larger than 96 inches around the perimeter.

      2. Cast net with a stretched length (the distance from the horn at the center of the net, with the net gathered and pulled taut, to the lead line) no greater than 14 feet.

2. (2) Live Bait Shrimp Producers. Except as provided in subparagraph (4)(a)2. for a portion of Taylor County, a live bait shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Big Bend Region by or with the use of gear or methods not expressly permitted in paragraph 68B-31.006(2)(b), F.A.C.

3. (3) Food Shrimp Producers. A food shrimp producer may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Big Bend Region only by or with the use of the following gear:

   1. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a food shrimp producer may use no more than four unconnected roller frame trawls meeting the specifications of subsection 68B-31.006(2)(c)3., F.A.C.
   2. (b) In the nearshore and inshore Florida Waters of the Big Bend Region, a food shrimp producer may use no more than two unconnected roller frame trawls meeting the specifications of subsection 68B-31.006(2)(c)3., F.A.C.
   3. (c) In all waters of the Big Bend Region, a food shrimp producer may not use any trawl that has a mesh size less than 3/4 inch bar measurement in the body of the net and less than 5/8 inch bar measurement in the cod end.

4. (4) Seasonal and Spatial Trawling Restrictions.

   1. (a) Except as provided in subparagraph 2., a person may not use any trawl within the following described area off Taylor County:

      1. Beginning at a point on the shoreline of the Gulf of America north of Steinhatchee River Light 47 (29°40.267'N, 83°23.320'W); thence south to Steinhatchee River Light 47 (29°40.234'N, 83°23.320'W); thence westerly along the line of navigational buoys marking the north side of said channel to Steinhatchee River Light 1 marking the outer extent of said channel (29°39.388'N, 83°27.377'W); thence westerly to a point located at 29°40.045'N, 83°35.218'W; thence northwesterly to a point located at 29°53.253'N, 83°53.01'W; thence north-northwesterly to Gamble Point near the mouth of the Aucilla River (30°04.643'N, 83°59.373'W); thence southeasterly along the shoreline along the Gulf of America to the point of beginning.

      2. A live bait shrimp producer may use a trawl or trawls within the area described in subparagraph 1. if each of the following conditions is met:

      a. The live bait shrimp producer is harvesting live bait shrimp using no more than two roller frame trawls.

      b. Neither the upper or lower horizontal beam on a roller frame trawl may be greater than 15 feet in length.

   2. (b) Citrus-Hernando Shrimping and Trapping Closed Areas and Seasons – Food shrimp producers and live bait shrimp producers are subject to the seasonal and spatial trawling restrictions established in Rule 68B-38.001, F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 9-19-24.