The Florida Senate

372.0225  Freshwater organisms.--

(1)  The Division of Freshwater Fisheries of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in order to manage the promotion, marketing, and quality control of all freshwater organisms produced in Florida and utilized commercially so that such organisms shall be used to produce the optimum sustained yield consistent with the protection of the breeding stock, is directed and charged with the responsibility of:

(a)  Providing for the regulation of the promotion, marketing, and quality control of freshwater organisms produced in Florida and utilized commercially.

(b)  Regulating the processing of commercial freshwater organisms on the water or on the shore.

(c)  Providing documentation standards and statistical record requirements with respect to commercial freshwater organism catches.

(d)  Conducting scientific, economic, and other studies and research on all freshwater organisms produced in the state and used commercially.

(2)  The responsibility with which the Division of Freshwater Fisheries is charged under subsection (1) shall in no way supersede or duplicate the responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under chapter 500, the Florida Food Safety Act, chapter 597, the Florida Aquaculture Policy Act, and the rules adopted thereunder.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 78-310; s. 29, ch. 83-216; s. 1, ch. 94-180; s. 15, ch. 98-333; s. 116, ch. 99-245; s. 7, ch. 99-390.