1. (1) The purpose of a Snook SAL is to allow the harvest of snook as broodstock for commercial aquaculture production purposes and the possession, transport, transfer, sale, receipt, or purchase of snook broodstock progeny, as well as to ensure these activities are conducted in a manner that preserves the health and genetic diversity of the wild stock native to Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters. 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.

2. (2) Eligibility –

   1. (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.

   2. (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.

      2. An owner of a private, pay-to-fish pond. 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. Such facility must be open to the public and conduct activities for exhibitional purposes.

3. (3) Fees and Application –

   1. (a) The processing fee for a Snook SAL is $25.00. A processing fee is non-refundable.
   2. (b) An applicant for a Snook SAL must complete and submit a Snook SAL application (Form DMF-SSAL (November 2025)), which is incorporated herein by reference and is available at HYPERLINK "http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18898"http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18898.

4. (4) Evaluation Criteria – In addition to the evaluation criteria set forth in subsection 68B-8.003(9), F.A.C., an application 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:

   1. (a) Genetic risk assessment of requested activities will be evaluated via the “Decision Process for the Genetic Risk Assessment of Release Activities (November 2025),” incorporated in subsection 68B-8.010(4), F.A.C.
   2. (b) Number and sex of snook requested for broodstock harvest.
   3. (c) Area of broodstock harvest.
   4. (d) Proposed harvesting gears and methods.
   5. (e) Anticipated time period of harvest.
   6. (f) Proposed spawning strategy.
   7. (g) Broodstock disposition plan.
   8. (h) Documented training and experience in snook aquaculture.
   9. (i) Valid aquaculture certificate of registration issued pursuant to Section 597.004, F.S., and Chapter 5L-3, F.A.C.
   10. (j) The location of applicant’s facility.
5. (5) License Period – A Snook SAL may be valid for up to 1 year (12 months).

6. (6) Transfer or Sale of Broodstock Progeny –

   1. (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 only transfer or sell broodstock progeny to a holder of a valid Snook SAL issued for the receipt, purchase and possession of broodstock progeny.
   2. (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 recipient 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.

7. (7) 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:

   1. (a) Snook are not sold on a per-pound or per-fish basis.
   2. (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.
8. (8) A contractor may not conduct activities authorized pursuant to a Snook SAL.
9. (9) License conditions – A licensee must comply with all conditions set forth under a Snook SAL.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 7-1-04, Amended 11-19-09, 5-19-25, 2-1-26.