Resolution 2012-016RESOLUTION NO. 2012 - 16
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
SUPPORTING ANY AND ALL EFFORTS TO RESCIND
CURRENT REGULATIONS SET FORTH IN THE FLORIDA
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE THAT RESTRICT THE MESH SIZE
OF FISHING NETS TO TWO (2) INCHES OR LESS.
WHEREAS, Article X, Section 16 of the Florida Constitution mandates certain
limitations on marine net fishing in Florida waters in order "protect saltwater finfish, shellfish,
and other marine animals from unnecessary killing, overfishing and waste;" and
WHEREAS, one of the limitations set forth in Article X, Section 16 of the Florida
Constitution is the prohibition on the use of "gill nets" or other entangling net in any Florida
waters; and
WHEREAS, to implement this prohibition, the Florida Administrative Code, 68B-
4.0081(2)(d), limits the "stretched mesh" size of marine fishing nets to two (2) inches and states
in part, "Any such net, with a mesh size greater than 2 inches stretched mesh shall be considered
an entangling net ...;" and
WHEREAS, in response to concerns raised by the Collier County commercial fishing
industry, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) recognizes the damaging effects of the
two -inch mesh size limit which results in non - targeted by -catch and the unnecessary killing of
substantial numbers of juvenile fish; such damaging effects being contrary to the intent of Article
X, Section 16 of the Florida Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the Board believes that Florida's fishing industry would be better served by
eliminating the two -inch mesh size rule as it would allow fishermen the ability to use the marine
net mesh size necessary to harvest legal, marketable fish and reduce unnecessary killing,
overfishing, and waste.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, that, in order to improve Florida
fishing industry and reduce non - targeted by -catch and overfishing, the Board of County
Commissioners supports any and all efforts to rescind current regulations set forth in the Florida
Administrative Code that restrict the mesh size of fishing nets to two (2) inches or less.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution shall be transmitted to
Collier County's Legislative Delegation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission.
THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second, and majority vote favoring same
this Z�1 _ day o 2012.
ATTEST:'
TTES :
DWOHTE.;BROCK,` ; lerk
, r�^ l3eputy Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
B " -A� W
Y•
FRED W. COYLE, CHAIINAN
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