1. (1) LICENSE ON PURSE SEINES.--There is levied, in addition to any other taxes thereon, an annual license tax of $25 upon each purse seine used in the waters of this state. This license fee shall be collected in the manner provided in this section.

2. (2) SALTWATER PRODUCTS LICENSE.--

   1. (a) Every person, firm, or corporation that sells, offers for sale, barters, or exchanges for merchandise any saltwater products, or which harvests saltwater products with certain gear or equipment as specified by law, must have a valid saltwater products license, except that the holder of an aquaculture certificate is not required to purchase and possess a saltwater products license in order to possess, transport, or sell marine aquaculture products. Each saltwater products license allows the holder to engage in any of the activities for which the license is required. The license must be in the possession of the licenseholder or aboard the vessel and shall be subject to inspection at any time that harvesting activities for which a license is required are being conducted. A restricted species endorsement on the saltwater products license is required to sell to a licensed wholesale dealer those species which the state, by law or rule, has designated as "restricted species." This endorsement may be issued only to a person who is at least 16 years of age, or to a firm certifying that over 25 percent of its income or $5,000 of its income, whichever is less, is attributable to the sale of saltwater products pursuant to a license issued under this paragraph or a similar license from another state. This endorsement may also be issued to a for-profit corporation if it certifies that at least $5,000 of its income is attributable to the sale of saltwater products pursuant to a license issued under this paragraph or a similar license from another state. However, if at least 50 percent of the annual income of a person, firm, or for-profit corporation is derived from charter fishing, the person, firm, or for-profit corporation must certify that at least $2,500 of the income of the person, firm, or corporation is attributable to the sale of saltwater products pursuant to a license issued under this paragraph or a similar license from another state, in order to be issued the endorsement. Such income attribution must apply to at least 1 year out of the last 3 years. For the purpose of this section "income" means that income which is attributable to work, employment, entrepreneurship, pensions, retirement benefits, and social security benefits.

      1. The department is authorized to require verification of such income. Acceptable proof of income earned from the sale of saltwater products shall be:

      a. Copies of trip ticket records generated pursuant to this subsection (marine fisheries information system), documenting qualifying sale of saltwater products;

      b. Copies of sales records from locales other than Florida documenting qualifying sale of saltwater products;

      c. A copy of the applicable federal income tax return, including Form 1099 attachments, verifying income earned from the sale of saltwater products;

      d. Crew share statements verifying income earned from the sale of saltwater products; or

      e. A certified public accountant's notarized statement attesting to qualifying source and amount of income. Any provision of this section or any other section of the Florida Statutes to the contrary notwithstanding, any person who owns a retail seafood market and/or restaurant at a fixed location for at least 3 years who has had an occupational license for 3 years prior to January 1, 1990, who harvests saltwater products to supply his or her retail store and has had a saltwater products license for 1 of the past 3 years prior to January 1, 1990, may provide proof of his or her verification of income and sales value at the person's retail seafood market and/or restaurant and in his or her saltwater products enterprise by affidavit and shall thereupon be issued a restricted species endorsement.

      2. Exceptions from income requirements shall be as follows:

      a. A permanent restricted species endorsement shall be available to those persons age 62 and older who have qualified for such endorsement for at least 3 out of the last 5 years.

      b. Active military duty time shall be excluded from consideration of time necessary to qualify and shall not be counted against the applicant for purposes of qualifying.

      c. Upon the sale of a used commercial fishing vessel owned by a person, firm, or corporation possessing or eligible for a restricted species endorsement, the purchaser of such vessel shall be exempted from the qualifying income requirement for the purpose of obtaining a restricted species endorsement for a period of 1 year after purchase of the vessel.

      d. Upon the death or permanent disablement of a person possessing a restricted species endorsement, an immediate family member wishing to carry on the fishing operation shall be exempted from the qualifying income requirement for the purpose of obtaining a restricted species endorsement for a period of 1 year after the death or disablement.

      e. A restricted species endorsement may be issued on an individual saltwater products license to a person age 62 or older who documents that at least $2,500 is attributable to the sale of saltwater products pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph.

      f. A permanent restricted species endorsement may also be issued on an individual saltwater products license to a person age 70 or older who has held a saltwater products license for at least 3 of the last 5 license years. At least one saltwater products license bearing a restricted species endorsement shall be aboard any vessel harvesting restricted species in excess of any bag limit or when fishing under a commercial quota or in commercial quantities, and such vessel shall have a commercial vessel registration. This subsection does not apply to any person, firm, or corporation licensed under s. 370.07(1)(a)1. or (b) for activities pursuant to such licenses. A saltwater products license may be issued in the name of an individual or a valid boat registration number. Such license is not transferable. A decal shall be issued with each saltwater products license issued to a valid boat registration number. The saltwater products license decal shall be the same color as the vessel registration decal issued each year pursuant to ¹s. 327.11(7) and shall indicate the period of time such license is valid. The saltwater products license decal shall be placed beside the vessel registration decal and, in the case of an undocumented vessel, shall be placed so that the vessel registration decal lies between the vessel registration number and the saltwater products license decal. Any saltwater products license decal for a previous year shall be removed from a vessel operating on the waters of the state. A resident shall pay an annual license fee of $50 for a saltwater products license issued in the name of an individual or $100 for a saltwater products license issued to a valid boat registration number. A nonresident shall pay an annual license fee of $200 for a saltwater products license issued in the name of an individual or $400 for a saltwater products license issued to a valid boat registration number. An alien shall pay an annual license fee of $300 for a saltwater products license issued in the name of an individual or $600 for a saltwater products license issued to a valid boat registration number. Any person who sells saltwater products pursuant to this license may sell only to a licensed wholesale dealer. A saltwater products license must be presented to the licensed wholesale dealer each time saltwater products are sold, and an imprint made thereof. The wholesale dealer shall keep records of each transaction in such detail as may be required by rule of the Department of Environmental Protection not in conflict with s. 370.07(6), and shall provide the holder of the saltwater products license with a copy of the record. It is unlawful for any licensed wholesale dealer to buy saltwater products from any unlicensed person under the provisions of this section, except that a licensed wholesale dealer may buy from another licensed wholesale dealer. It is unlawful for any licensed wholesale dealer to buy saltwater products designated as "restricted species" from any person, firm, or corporation not possessing a restricted species endorsement on his or her saltwater products license under the provisions of this section, except that a licensed wholesale dealer may buy from another licensed wholesale dealer. The Department of Environmental Protection shall be the licensing agency, may contract with private persons or entities to implement aspects of the licensing program, and shall establish by rule a marine fisheries information system in conjunction with the licensing program to gather fisheries data.

   2. (b) Any person who sells, offers for sale, barters, or exchanges for merchandise saltwater products must have a method of catch preservation which meets the requirements and standards of the seafood quality control code promulgated by the Department of Environmental Protection.

   3. (c) A saltwater products license is required to harvest commercial quantities of saltwater products. Any vessel from which commercial quantities of saltwater products are harvested must have a commercial vessel registration. Commercial quantities of saltwater products shall be defined as:

      1. With respect to those species for which no bag limit has been established, more than 100 pounds per person per day, provided that the harvesting of two fish or less per person per day shall not be considered commercial quantities regardless of aggregate weight; and

      2. With respect to those species for which a bag limit has been established, more than the bag limit allowed by law or rule.

   4. (d) 1. In addition to the saltwater products license, a marine life fishing endorsement shall be required for the harvest of marine life species as defined by rule of the Marine Fisheries Commission.

      2. The fee for a marine life fishery endorsement on a saltwater products license shall be $75. These license fees shall be collected and deposited in the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund and used for the purchase and installation of vessel mooring buoys at coral reef sites and for research related to marine fisheries.

3. (3) NET LICENSES.--Except for cast nets and bait seines which are 100 feet in length or less and which have a mesh that is 3/8 inch or less, all nets used to take finfish, including, but not limited to, gill nets, trammel nets, and beach seines, must be licensed or registered. Each net used to take finfish for commercial purposes, or by a nonresident, must be licensed under a saltwater products license issued pursuant to subsection (2) and must bear the number of such license. A noncommercial resident net registration must be issued to each net used to take finfish for noncommercial purposes and may only be issued to residents of the state. Each net so registered must bear the name of the person in whose name the net is registered.

4. (4) SPECIAL ACTIVITY LICENSES.--

   1. (a) Any person who seeks to use special gear or equipment in harvesting saltwater species must purchase a special activity license as specified by law to engage in such activities. The department may issue special activity licenses, in accordance with s. 370.071, to permit the cultivation of oysters, clams, mussels, and crabs when such aquaculture activities relate to quality control, sanitation, and public health regulations. The department may prescribe by rule special terms, conditions, and restrictions for any special activity license.
   2. (b) The department is authorized to issue special activity licenses in accordance with this section and s. 370.31, to permit the importation, possession, and aquaculture of anadromous sturgeon. The special activity license shall provide for best management practices to prevent the release and escape of cultured anadromous sturgeon and to protect indigenous populations of saltwater species from sturgeon-borne disease.

5. (5) APALACHICOLA BAY OYSTER HARVESTING LICENSE.--

   1. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

      1. "Person" means an individual.

      2. "Resident" means any person who has:

      a. Continuously resided in this state for 6 months immediately preceding the making of his or her application for an Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesting license; or

      b. Established a domicile in this state and evidenced that domicile as provided in s. 222.17.

   2. (b) No person shall harvest oysters from the Apalachicola Bay without a valid Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesting license issued by the department. This requirement shall not apply to anyone harvesting noncommercial quantities of oysters in accordance with chapter 46-27, Florida Administrative Code, or to any person less than 18 years old.
   3. (c) Any person wishing to obtain an Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesting license shall submit an annual fee for the license during a 45-day period from May 17 to June 30 of each year preceding the license year for which the license is valid. Failure to pay the annual fee within the required time period shall result in a $500 late fee being imposed before issuance of the license.
   4. (d) The department shall collect an annual fee of $100 from residents and $500 from nonresidents for the issuance of an Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesting license. The license year shall begin on July 1 of each year and end on June 30 of the following year. The license shall be valid only for the licensee. Only bona fide residents of Florida may obtain a resident license pursuant to this subsection.
   5. (e) Each person who applies for an Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesting license shall, before receiving the license, attend an educational seminar of not more than 16 hours length, developed and conducted jointly by the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, the department's Division of Law Enforcement, and the department's Apalachicola District Shellfish Environmental Assessment Laboratory. The seminar shall address, among other things, oyster biology, conservation of the Apalachicola Bay, sanitary care of oysters, small business management, and water safety. The seminar shall be offered five times per year, and each person attending shall receive a certificate of participation to present when obtaining an Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesting license.
   6. (f) Each person, while harvesting oysters in Apalachicola Bay, shall have in possession a valid Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesting license, or proof of having applied for a license within the required time period, and shall produce such license or proof of application upon request of any law enforcement officer.
   7. (g) Each person who obtains an Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesting license shall prominently display the license number upon any vessel the person owns which is used for the taking of oysters, in numbers which are at least 10 inches high and 1 inch wide, so that the permit number is readily identifiable from the air and water. Only one vessel displaying a given number may be used at any time. A licensee may harvest oysters from the vessel of another licensee.
   8. (h) Any person holding an Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesting license shall receive credit for the license fee against the saltwater products license fee.

   9. (i) The proceeds from Apalachicola Bay oyster harvesting license fees shall be deposited in the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund and, less reasonable administrative costs, shall be used or distributed by the department for the following purposes in Apalachicola Bay:

      1. Relaying and transplanting live oysters.

      2. Shell planting to construct or rehabilitate oyster bars.

      3. Education programs for licensed oyster harvesters on oyster biology, aquaculture, boating and water safety, sanitation, resource conservation, small business management, marketing, and other relevant subjects.

      4. Research directed toward the enhancement of oyster production in the bay and the water management needs of the bay.

   10. (j) Any person who violates any of the provisions of paragraphs (b) and (d)-(g) commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in ss. 775.082 and 775.083. Nothing in this subsection shall limit the application of existing penalties.
6. (6) LICENSE YEAR.--The license year on all licenses relating to saltwater products dealers, seafood dealers, aliens, residents, and nonresidents, unless otherwise provided, shall begin on July 1 of each year and end on June 30 of the next succeeding year. All licenses shall be so dated. However, if the department determines that it is in the best interest of the state to issue a license required under this chapter to an individual on the birthday of the applicant, the department may establish by rule a procedure to do so. This section does not apply to licenses and permits when their use is confined to an open season.
7. (7) LICENSES SUBJECT TO INSPECTION; NONTRANSFERABLE; EXCEPTION.--Licenses of every kind and nature granted under the provisions of the fish and game laws of this state are at all times subject to inspection by the police officers of this state, the wildlife officers of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, and the officers of the Marine Patrol. Such licenses are not transferable unless otherwise provided by law.

8. (8) COLLECTION OF LICENSES, FEES.--Unless otherwise provided by law, all license taxes or fees provided for in this chapter shall be collected by the department or its duly authorized agents or deputies to be deposited by the Comptroller in the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund. The department may by rule establish a reasonable processing fee for any free license or permit required under this chapter.

   ¹Note.--Redesignated as s. 327.11(5) by s. 50, ch. 95-333.

History.--s. 2, ch. 28145, 1953; ss. 3, 4, ch. 59-399; s. 1, ch. 59-499; s. 1, ch. 61-520; s. 2, ch. 61-119; ss. 25, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 69-399; s. 2, ch. 70-336; s. 281, ch. 71-136; s. 104, ch. 71-355; s. 2, ch. 78-56; s. 10, ch. 83-134; s. 34, ch. 85-81; s. 4, ch. 85-234; s. 2, ch. 86-219; s. 3, ch. 86-240; s. 2, ch. 87-116; s. 2, ch. 87-120; s. 17, ch. 89-175; ss. 1, 3, ch. 89-250; ss. 1, 2, 5, 6, ch. 90-310; ss. 17, 18, ch. 91-78; ss. 1, 4, ch. 91-254; s. 4, ch. 92-60; s. 11, ch. 93-223; s. 1, ch. 94-174; s. 209, ch. 94-356; s. 983, ch. 95-148; s. 12, ch. 96-247; s. 23, ch. 96-321; s. 37, ch. 97-160; s. 19, ch. 97-164.