HB173.html

To amend Part 1 of Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 27, relating to general provisions relative to seafood, so as to change the minimum size allowable for possession of tarpon; to define a certain term; to prohibit the taking of Atlantic bill fish; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Part 1 of Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 27, relating to general provisions relative to seafood, is amended by striking subsection (b) of Code Section 27-4-130.1, relating to open seasons, creel and possession limits, and minimum size limits for certain finfish species, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
"(b) The board shall establish open seasons and creel and possession limits within the maximums specified in this subsection and shall establish minimum sizes within the range specified in this subsection; provided, however, that it shall be unlawful to have in ones possession or take from the salt waters of this state any red drum in excess of 27 inches in total length. After October 1, 1989, it shall be unlawful to take the following salt-water finfish species at any time except during the open seasons so established for such species or to take or possess the following salt-water finfish species except in accordance with the creel and possession limits and minimum sizes so established for such species:

Species	Maximum Open Season	Maximum Daily Creel and Possession Limit	Range of Minimum Sizes
(1) Spanish mackerel	Mar. 16 – Nov. 30	40	10 – 18 inches
(2) King mackerel	All year	15	15 – 35 inches
(3) Cobia	Mar. 16 – Nov. 30	10	20 – 40 inches
(4) Red snapper	All year	20	12 – 20 inches
(5) Gag grouper	All year	20	12 – 36 inches
(6) Amberjack	Mar. 16 – Dec. 31	10	20 – 50 inches
(7) Black sea bass	All year	35	8 – 15 inches
(8) Bluefish	Mar. 16 – Nov. 30	25	12 – 20 inches
(9) Sheepshead	All year	50	8 – 16 inches
(10) ~~Sailfish~~ Reserved	~~All year~~	5	50 – 80 inches*
(11) ~~Blue marlin~~ Reserved	~~All year~~	5	75 – 90 inches*
(12) ~~White marlin~~ Reserved	~~All year~~	5	55 – 80 inches*
(13) Tarpon	Mar. 16 – Nov. 30	5	~~20 – 40~~ 65 – 90 inches
(14) Atlantic sturgeon	Jan. 1 – June 30	5	24 – 86 inches
(15) Red drum	All year	25	14 inches
(16) Dolphin	All year	15	12 – 24 inches
(17) Sand tiger shark	No open season	1	87 – 140 inches
(18) Small sharks ~~commposite~~ composite (Atlantic sharpnose, bonnethead, and spiny dogfish)	All year	4	30 – 54 inches
(19) Sharks	All year	2	48 – 120 inches
(20) Red porgy	All year	10	12 – 28 inches
*lower jaw-fork length"

Said part is further amended by inserting immediately following Code Section 27-4-130.1 a new Code section to read as follows:
"27-4-130.2.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'Atlantic billfish' means Atlantic blue marlin and Atlantic white marlin harvested from all waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including without limitation the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and Atlantic sailfish harvested from the waters of the North and South Atlantic Oceans, including without limitation the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, west of 30 degrees west longitude.
(b) It is unlawful for a person to have in his or her possession any Atlantic billfish or to take from the waters of the state any Atlantic billfish except for the catch and release of such fish into the waters from which they were taken."