fl-31258170: 68B-27.001 — The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is holding a public workshop to gather input on recommendations for proposed rules...

31258170, 68B-27.001 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register - FAC, FAR, eRulemaking Home About Us Contact Us Help Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services Home Advanced Search MyFLRules Rules Open for Comments Notice: 31258170 Notice of Meeting, Hearing, or Workshop Department: FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Division: Marine Fisheries Chapter: OYSTERS Overview RULE: 68B-27.001   Additional Applicable Regulations 68B-27.002   Definitions 68B-27.003   Size Limit; Size Limit Tolerances 68B-27.004   Bag and Vessel Limits; Harvest and Possession Limits 68B-27.005   Seasons; Open and Closed Periods 68B-27.006   Allowable Gear; Prohibited Gear; Harvest Methods 68B-27.007   Sale and Purchase Requirements 68B-27.008   Open and Closed Areas 68B-27.009   License Requirements 68B-27.011   Commercial Oyster Harvest Monitoring   The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announces a workshop to which all persons are invited. DATE AND TIME: Monday, August 31, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (ET) PLACE: Coastal Region Library, 8619 W Crystal St., Crystal River, FL Subject: The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is holding a public workshop to gather input on recommendations for proposed rules for the management of commercial and recreational oyster harvest in the Big Bend, Florida. This rulemaking will specifically pertain to oyster management in Dixie, Levy, and Citrus counties. Current regulations for this resource have not been updated since 1991, but since then, the oyster resource has declined and there have been recent declines in the fishery. FWC staff are seeking input on all wild oyster harvest regulations in this region, including: definitions; size limits and size limit tolerances; bag and vessel limits, harvest and possession limits; distribution of allowed harvest; seasons, open and closed periods; allowable gear, prohibited gear, harvest methods; sale and purchase requirements; open and closed areas; license requirements; oyster harvest monitoring; and other subjects encompassed by the above-cited rules. During the in-person workshop, staff will deliver a presentation reviewing the history of the Big Bend oyster fishery, current regulations, developing restoration projects, and potential oyster management strategies to be implemented. Public feedback gathered during this workshop will be considered in developing rule recommendations for the Commission to consider in 2027.   A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Jessica McCawley, at 620 South Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, (850) 487-0554, or Jessica.McCawley@MyFWC.com. PRINT PUBLISH DATE: 8/17/2026   Vol. 52/159 REFERENCE MATERIALS: No reference(s). Home Advanced Search MyFLRules Rules Open for Comments About Us Contact Us Help  Privacy Policies Accessibility Statement Copyright @ 2010 State of Florida Department of State Under Florida law, E-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your E-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.