Rule: 68B-37.004

Rule Title: Regional Recreational Bag Limits; Bag Limit for Captain and Crew on For-hire Trips; Commercial Bag, Vessel, and Landing Limits

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

SPOTTED SEATROUT

Latest version of the final adopted rule presented in Florida Administrative Code (FAC):

Effective Date:

4/1/2026

History Notes:

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 11-1-89, Amended 1-1-96, 8-1-96, Formerly 46-37.004, Amended 7-1-00, 2-1-12, 9-1-13, 2-26-20, 4-1-26.

References in this version:

No reference(s).

History of this Rule since Jan. 6, 2006

Notice /

Adopted

Section

Description

Publish

Date

Final

68B-37.004

Regional Recreational Bag Limits; Bag Limit for Captain and Crew on For-hire Trips; Commercial Bag, Vessel, and Landing Limits

Effective:

04/01/2026

Proposed

68B-37.002

......

The purpose of this rulemaking is to develop a new holistic management approach for spotted seatrout that incorporates multiple metrics to evaluate the fishery on a smaller regional scale and tailor management strategies ....

1/14/2026

Vol. 52/09

Workshop

68B-37.001

......

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering recommendations for proposed rule changes for spotted seatrout at ....

November 18, 2025, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (ET)

City of Stuart Commission Chambers, 121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, ....

11/4/2025

Vol. 51/215

Workshop

68B-37.001

......

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering recommendations for proposed rule changes for spotted seatrout at ....

December 8, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Regional webinar. More information about how to participate ....

11/3/2025

Vol. 51/214

Workshop

68B-37.001

......

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering recommendations for proposed rule changes for spotted seatrout at ....

December 1, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Regional webinar. More information about how to participate ....

11/3/2025

Vol. 51/214

Workshop

68B-37.001

......

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering recommendations for proposed rule changes for spotted seatrout at ....

November 17, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Regional webinar. More information about how to participate ....

11/3/2025

Vol. 51/214

Workshop

68B-37.001

......

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering recommendations for proposed rule changes for spotted seatrout at ....

November 13, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Regional webinar. More information about how to participate ....

10/29/2025

Vol. 51/211

Workshop

68B-37.001

......

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering recommendations for proposed rule changes for spotted seatrout at ....

November 12, 2025, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Franklin County Commission Chambers, 34 Forbes St, Apalachicola, ....

10/29/2025

Vol. 51/211

Development

68B-37.001

......

The purpose of this rulemaking is to develop a new holistic management approach for spotted seatrout that incorporates multiple metrics to evaluate the fishery on a smaller regional scale and tailor management strategies ....

10/22/2025

Vol. 51/206

Workshop

68B-37.001

......

DATE AND TIME: September 8, 2025, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (CT)

PLACE: Pensacola Public Library, 239 N Spring St., Pensacola, FL 32502

DATE ....

September 8-18, 2025, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m

Details on public workshop locations included below for each ....

8/26/2025

Vol. 51/166

Public Meeting

68B-37.001

......

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is holding a public meeting to foster a discussion about spotted seatrout research and management ....

August 27, 2025, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (ET)

Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 N. Atlantic Ave, ....

8/14/2025

Vol. 51/158

Final

68B-37.004

Regional Recreational Bag Limits; Bag Limit for Captain and Crew on For-hire Trips; Commercial Bag, Vessel, and Landing Limits

Effective:

02/26/2020

Change

68B-37.004

......

Regional Recreational Bag Limits; Commercial Bag, Vessel, and Landing Limits, Purchase and Sale Prohibitions

12/16/2019

Vol. 45/242

Proposed

68B-37.002

......

The purpose of these rule amendments is to improve the status of the spotted seatrout fishery statewide by modifying harvest regulations provided in 68B-37, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).

The effect of these rule ....

11/19/2019

Vol. 45/225

Development

68B-37.001

......

The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for spotted seatrout in the 2019 calendar year as a result of stock assessments or management or enforcement requirements.

1/23/2019

Vol. 45/15

Development

68B-37.001

......

The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for spotted seatrout in the 2018 calendar year resulting from stock assessments or management or enforcement requirements.

2/16/2018

Vol. 44/33

Development

68B-37.001

......

The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for spotted seatrout in the 2017 calendar year as a result of stock assessments or management or enforcement requirements.

1/5/2017

Vol. 43/03

Final

68B-37.004

Regional Recreational Bag Limits; Commercial Bag, Vessel, and Landing Limits

Effective:

09/01/2013

Proposed

68B-37.001

......

The purpose of this rule amendment is to standardize the format and rule language in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (Commission) spotted seatrout rules. The spotted seatrout

Chapter (68B-37) has ....

5/14/2013

Vol. 39/94

Development

68B-37.001

......

The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for spotted seatrout in the 2013 calendar year as a result of stock assessments, federal regulatory actions or other management ....

12/28/2012

Vol. 38/99

Final

68B-37.004

Regional Bag Limits

Effective:

02/01/2012

Development

68B-37.001

......

The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for spotted seatrout in the 2012 calendar year as a result of stock assessments, federal regulatory actions or other management ....

12/22/2011

Vol. 37/51

Change

68B-37.002

......

Definitions, Size Limits, Regional Bag Limits; Closed Seasons, Commercial Season and Daily Harvest Limit, Gear Specifications and Prohibited Gear; Bycatch Allowance

12/22/2011

Vol. 37/51

Proposed

68B-37.002

......

The purpose and effect of the proposed rules is to allow for greater fishing opportunity for recreational and commercial fishers in Florida, where the spotted seatrout population stocks are exceeding the Commission’s management ....

10/14/2011

Vol. 37/41

Development

68B-37.001

......

The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule changes in the 2011 calendar year for spotted seatrout as a result of stock assessments, federal regulatory actions or other management and ....

12/23/2010

Vol. 36/51

Development

68B-37.001

......

The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule changes in the 2010 calendar year for spotted seatrout as a result of stock assessments, federal regulatory actions or other management and ....

2/5/2010

Vol. 36/05

Final

68B-37.004

Regional Bag Limits; Closed Seasons

Effective:

07/01/2000