Section 68B-32.009 - Tarpon Tag Specifications(1) Tags Required for Possession -(a) A person may not harvest or possess a tarpon unless the person intends to submit that tarpon for an International Game Fish Association world record or Commission Florida state record.(b) A person may not harvest or possess a tarpon unless the person has purchased a tarpon tag and securely attached the tarpon tag through the lower jaw of the tarpon.(c) A person may not use more than one tarpon tag during any single license year for tarpon tags as defined in paragraph 68B-32.009(2)(a), F.A.C. Except for professional fishing guides, a person may not purchase more than one tarpon tag during any single license year for tarpon tags as defined in paragraph 68B-32.009(2)(a), F.A.C.(d) No more than 1 tarpon may be harvested within or without Florida Waters per day, possessed aboard a vessel within or without Florida Waters, or landed per day from a vessel fishing pursuant to this subsection.(2) Validity of Tarpon Tags - (a) The license year for tarpon tags begins on January 1 of each year and continues through December 31 of that year.(b) A tarpon tag is only valid for the possession of 1 tarpon. A person may not use an individual tarpon tag on more than one tarpon.(3) Transfer of Tarpon Tags - (a) Except as provided in paragraph (3)(b), tarpon tags are not transferable.(b) A professional fishing guide may purchase tarpon tags and subsequently transfer the tarpon tags to individual customers.(c) A professional fishing guide may not transfer to any individual customer more than one tarpon tag during any single license year for tarpon tags as defined in paragraph 68B-32.009(2)(a), F.A.C.(4) Number of Tags Issued Each License Year - (a) The Commission may not issue more than 2, 500 tarpon tags in a license year (as defined in paragraph (2)(a)).(b) The Commission may not issue more than 1, 250 tarpon tags to professional fishing guides in a license year (as established in paragraph (2)(a)).(5) Return of Unused Tarpon Tags - On or before February 14, each tax collector shall submit to the Commission all unused tarpon tags for the previous license year. In addition to the unused tarpon tags, each tax collector shall submit to the Commission a written audit report indicating the number of unused tags on a form provided by the Commission (Form DMF-SL3210 (3-05), Unissued Tarpon Tags, incorporated herein by reference and available online at http://www.flrules.org on or before February 14.(6) Exceptions to Tag Requirement - The prohibition of possession of an untagged tarpon in paragraph (1)(b) does not apply to a taxidermist who removes the tag during the process of mounting a tarpon. The taxidermist shall ensure that the removed tag remains with the tarpon during any subsequent storage or shipment.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 68B-32.009
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.
New 9-1-13, Amended by Florida Register Volume 45, Number 015, January 23, 2019 effective 2/4/2019.New 9-1-13, Amended 2-4-19.