At its September meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) proposed changes to improve the Marine Special Activity License (SAL) program licensing process, accommodate additional requested activities, and update provisions to several license types.
The proposed changes include:
- General rule updates and clarifications to remove outdated and unnecessary language.
- Removing the limit on the number of persons authorized to operate under an SAL.
- Streamlining FWC Law Enforcement notification processes for licensees.
- Specifying that a third-party contractor may only be authorized on Scientific Research, Education/Exhibition, and Governmental Purpose SALs.
- Rule changes to accommodate additional requested activities, including coral, oyster, and seagrass restoration.
- Extending maximum license periods for Scientific Research, Education/Exhibition, and Aquaculture Broodstock Collection SALs.
- Modifying eligibility requirements for Education/Exhibition, Aquaculture Broodstock Collection, and Stock Collection and Release SALs.
- Repealing the Dredge SAL.
Staff will continue to gather input on the proposed rules ahead of a planned final rule hearing at the December 2024 Commission meeting. Public comments on the proposed updates can be submitted by visiting MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.
The SAL rule is being updated in two phases. This proposed rule is part of Phase I. Staff plan to bring Phase II updates to the Marine SAL program before the Commission in 2025. Interested parties who would like additional changes to the SAL rule are encouraged to submit recommendations for Phase II through MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments or email them to Marine@MyFWC.com.
For more information, including details from the September 2024 Commission Meeting presentation, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and click on “Commission Meetings.”
For information on the current marine SAL program, visit MyFWC.com/License, click on “Saltwater Fishing Licenses,” then “Other saltwater licenses and permits,” and “Special Activity Licenses _ Marine Species.”