Florida Administrative Code › 68 - FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION › 68E - Marine Resources › Chapter 68E-1 - MARINE TURTLE PERMITS › Section 68E-1.004 - General Permit Application Procedures, Requirements and Expiration

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) Applications: Any individual, firm or
				corporation desiring to obtain authorization to conduct scientific,
				conservation, or educational activities directly involving marine turtles shall
				submit an application to the Commission prior to conduct of the activity.
				Applications shall be submitted electronically through the permitting portal on
http://myfwc.com
or submitted on the
				application form to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,
				Tequesta Field Laboratory, 19100 S.E. Federal Highway, Tequesta, FL 33469,
				unless otherwise directed. Application for Marine Turtle Permit (FWC Form
				32-101, effective 4/16) is hereby incorporated by reference and available at
https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07543
.
				Application forms shall be made available by the Commission to any individuals
				requesting them from the above-listed submittal address, MTP@MyFWC.com, or by
				telephone.
(2) Permit Criteria: An
				individual, firm or corporation must be a properly accredited person in
				accordance with Section
				379.2431(1)(c),
				F.S., must have specific experience with marine turtles and the proposed
				activity, and must meet the applicable criteria in this rule to be eligible to
				receive authorization from the Commission to undertake activities for research,
				conservation, or educational purposes that involve any of the prohibited
				actions listed in Section
				379.2431(1)
				(d)1., F.S. The Commission shall not issue permits to applicants unable to
				demonstrate a working knowledge of current marine turtle conservation
				practices, to applicants lacking specific experience in conducting the
				requested activities, to applicants who do not meet the applicable criteria in
				this chapter, or if there is no demonstrated need for the project.
(a) Research Purposes: To be eligible to
				receive a permit to conduct research with marine turtles, the applicant must be
				an individual who meets the applicable criteria in this rule.
(b) Educational or Conservation Purposes: To
				be eligible to receive a permit for educational or conservation purposes such
				as conducting nesting beach surveys, stranding, tagging, or holding marine
				turtles in captivity, an individual, firm or corporation must identify:
1. Principal Officer: A principal officer who
				shall be listed on the permit and who is duly authorized to make legally
				binding decisions for the applicant. An individual applicant can identify
				themselves as the principal officer. The principal officer shall be
				independently responsible for ensuring that all activities are conducted in
				accordance with all terms and conditions of the permit, this chapter, and the
				Handbook and that all reports are submitted by the deadlines identified in the
				permit or the Handbook.
2.
				Qualified Individual: One or two qualified individuals who meet the
				requirements in this chapter and the Handbook for the requested activity. If
				more than one qualified individual is identified, the permit shall specify a
				lead qualified individual who shall serve as the primary contact for all
				authorized activities. The lead qualified individual, in addition and
				independently of the principal officer, shall be responsible for ensuring that
				all activities are conducted in accordance with all terms and conditions of the
				permit, this chapter, and the Handbook and that all reports are submitted by
				the deadlines identified in the permit or the Handbook. An individual applicant
				can identify themselves as the qualified individual. For a firm or corporation,
				the qualified individual(s) must either be in the applicant's employment or be
				affiliated with the applicant as a volunteer and be identified in the
				application by name. The lead qualified individual shall make all decisions
				concerning direct interactions with marine turtles including nesting beach
				surveys, marking and relocating nests, educational displays and activities, and
				basic husbandry and care for holding marine turtles in captivity in conjunction
				with the veterinarian listed on the permit. In the event a qualified individual
				leaves employment or discontinues their affiliation with the corporation or
				firm, the permit holder shall notify the Commission within forty-eight hours,
				and within 30 days secure the services of another qualified individual who
				meets all requirements in this rule and the Handbook.
(c) Loan Agreements: Any individual, firm or
				corporation who meets the criteria herein shall be eligible to receive
				authorization from the Commission in the form of a loan agreement to possess
				dead marine turtles or marine turtle parts for educational purposes pursuant to
				subsection 68E-1.0041(2),
				F.A.C.