Section 68B-14.002 - DefinitionsFor purposes of this chapter, except where the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1) "Atlantic Ocean" means that body of water south and east of the line beginning at the point where the Natural Resources Boundary Line intersects 83 deg. W. longitude (24 deg. 29 min. N. latitude), thence north along 83 deg. W. longitude to where it intersects 24 deg. 35 min. N. latitude (near the Dry Tortugas), thence eastward along that parallel through Rebecca Shoal and the Quicksand Shoal to 82 deg. 13 min. W. longitude, then following the Territorial Sea Boundary south and east to the point it intersects 24 deg. 33 min. N. latitude, thence eastward along that parallel to the point where it intersects Key West, then continuing along a line eastward to the terminus of U.S. Highway 1 to the point where it intersects the mainland at the east end of Florida Bay.(2) "Charter vessel" means a vessel operated by a captain licensed by the United States Coast Guard to carry passengers for hire.(3) "Barotrauma" means a pressure related injury (signs include protruding stomach, bulging eyes, bloated belly, distended intestines) that fish can experience when brought up from depth.(4) "Descending device" means an instrument capable of releasing a fish at a depth sufficent for the fish to be able to recover from the effects of barotrauma.(5) "Goliath grouper" means any fish of the species Epinephelus itajara, or any part thereof.(6) "Gulf of Mexico" means that body of water north and west of the line described in the definition of "Atlantic Ocean" contained in subsection (1) of this rule.(7) "Harvest for commercial purposes" means the taking or harvesting of fish for purposes of sale or with intent to sell or in excess of established bag limits.(8) "Headboat" means a vessel that holds a valid Certificate of Inspection issued from the U.S. Coast Guard to carry passengers for hire when it carries a passenger who pays a fee or when there are more than three persons aboard, including operator and crew.(9) "Venting tool" means a device designed to penetrate the swim bladder of a fish to release the excess gases accumulated in the body cavity when a fish is retrieved from depth. (a) A venting tool is a sharpened, hollow instrument that allows air to escape. A 16-gauge needle, which has an outside diameter of 0.065 inches (1.65 mm), is the minimum diameter hollow tube allowable. A larger diameter hollow needle is preferred to allow air to escape more rapidly from the fish's swim bladder.(b) A device that is not hollow, such as a knife or an ice pick, is not a venting tool and may not be used as it would cause additional damage to a fish.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-14.002
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.
New 7-29-85, Amended 12-11-86, 2-1-90, 12-31-92, 3-1-94, 1-1-98, 12-31-98, Formerly 46-14.002, Amended 1-1-00, 1-1-03, 7-1-06, Amended by Florida Register Volume 40, Number 156, August 12, 2014 effective 8/26/2014, Amended by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 048, March 10, 2020 effective 4/1/2020, Amended by Florida Register Volume 49, Number 065, April 4, 2023 effective 4/1/2023.New 7-29-85, Amended 12-11-86, 2-1-90, 12-31-92, 3-1-94, 1-1-98, 12-31-98, Formerly 46-14.002, Amended 1-1-00, 1-1-03, 7-1-06, 8-26-14, 4-1-20, 4-1-23.