The Florida Senate

370.143  Retrieval of spiny lobster, stone crab, blue crab, and black sea bass traps during closed season; commission authority; fees.--

(1)  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is authorized to implement a trap retrieval program for retrieval of spiny lobster, stone crab, blue crab, and black sea bass traps remaining in the water during the closed season for each species. The commission is authorized to contract with outside agents for the program operation.

(2)  A retrieval fee of $10 per trap retrieved shall be assessed trap owners. However, for each person holding a spiny lobster endorsement, a stone crab endorsement, or a blue crab endorsement issued under rule of the commission, the retrieval fee shall be waived for the first five traps retrieved. Traps recovered under this program shall become the property of the commission or its contract agent, as determined by the commission, and shall be either destroyed or resold to the original owner. Revenue from retrieval fees shall be deposited in the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund and used solely for operation of the trap retrieval program.

(3)  Payment of all assessed retrieval fees shall be required prior to renewal of the trap owner's saltwater products license. Retrieval fees assessed under this program shall stand in lieu of other penalties imposed for such trap violations.

(4)  In the event of a major natural disaster, such as a hurricane or major storm, that causes massive trap losses within an area declared by the Governor to be a disaster emergency area, the commission shall waive trap retrieval fees.

History.--s. 4, ch. 87-116; s. 4, ch. 87-120; s. 230, ch. 94-356; s. 34, ch. 96-321; s. 246, ch. 99-245; s. 42, ch. 2000-364; s. 2, ch. 2004-72; s. 13, ch. 2007-223.