Florida Administrative Code › 68 - FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION › 68 - Departmental › Chapter 68-5 - RULES RELATING TO NON-NATIVE SPECIES › Section 68-5.001 - Purpose and Intent

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) The purpose of this
				chapter is to establish definitions, provide requirements for import permits,
				provide Conditional and Prohibited species lists, establish requirements for
				possession of Conditional and Prohibited species, establish criteria for
				amnesty for persons relinquishing nonnative fish and wildlife, and regulations
				related to lionfish.
(2) Unless
				otherwise specifically provided in Divisions 68A through 68E, F.A.C., all
				species of freshwater aquatic life and wild animal life not native to Florida
				may be taken throughout the year, without restrictions.
(3) No person shall allow or permit any
				freshwater fish, aquatic invertebrate, marine plant, marine animal, or wild
				animal life not native to the state, to remain in any facility that is no
				longer maintained or operated for the production or maintenance of such
				non-native species. The presence of any such non-native species in any facility
				shall constitute possession by the owner or operator of the facility.
(4) No species listed in this chapter shall
				be confined in any cage or other enclosure which does not meet the requirements
				in Rules 68-5.005 and
				68-5.007, F.A.C., except as
				authorized in accordance with the following:
(a) Requests for deviations from the standard
				caging or enclosure requirements or use of alternative caging materials may be
				granted to allow for different size configuration (length, width, and/or
				height) if the required square footage is adequate, as required in this
				section, and if the locomotory needs of the animal(s) are not
				compromised.
(b) Requests for
				deviations from the standard caging or enclosure requirements or for the use of
				alternative caging materials may be submitted to the Commission. Proposed
				deviations shall be granted if the proposed materials are of equivalent or
				greater strength to the required caging materials and all deviations are
				sufficient to prevent escape of the species.
(c) Any proposed deviations from the standard
				caging or enclosure requirements or use of alternative caging materials must be
				approved in writing as a permit modification by the Commission prior to the use
				of the cage or enclosure for housing animals.
(d) Requests for deviations must be submitted
				in writing to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of
				Habitat and Species Conservation, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee,
				Florida 32399-1600, or at nonnativepermitapps@MyFWC.com. The request shall
				include:
1. The name, affiliation, mailing
				address, and physical address of where the deviation will occur, if different
				than the mailing address.
2. The
				specific deviation requested.
3. A
				statement of purpose or need for the deviation.
4. Documentation showing the strength of the
				requested materials and that construction specifications to be used as part of
				the deviation meet or exceed the strength and biosecurity requirements in
				rule.
5. A list of all current
				Commission permits and licenses affiliated with the
				facility.