CFR

CFR

654.20—Seasons.

(a) Closed season. No person may possess a stone crab in the management area from 12:01 a.m., local time, May 16, through 12 p.m. midnight, local time, October 14, each year. Holding a stone crab in a trap in the water during a soak period or during a removal period (see paragraph (b) of this section), or during any extension thereto, is not deemed possession, provided that, if the trap is removed from the water during such period, such crab is returned immediately to the water with its claws unharvested.

(b) Placement of traps— (1) Prior to the fishing season. The period of October 5 through October 14 is established as a trap soak period. A stone crab trap may be placed in the management area not earlier than 1 hour before sunrise on October 5.

(2) After the fishing season. The period of May 16 through May 20 is established as a trap removal period. A stone crab trap must be removed from the management area not later than 1 hour after sunset on May 20, unless an extension to the removal period is granted under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section and the extension authorization is carried aboard the fishing vessel as specified in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section.

(i) An extension of the removal period may be granted by Florida in accordance with Rule 46-13.002(2)(b), Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of April 14, 1995. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Office of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission, 2540 Executive Center Circle West, Suite 106, Tallahassee, FL 32301; telephone: 904-487-0554. Copies may be inspected at the office of the Regional Administrator, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

(ii) The extension authorization must be carried aboard the fishing vessel. The operator of a fishing vessel must present the authorization for inspection upon request of an authorized officer.

(c) Possession of stone crab traps. A stone crab trap may not be possessed in the management area from the end of the trap removal period, or an extension thereto, to the beginning of the trap soak period, as specified in paragraph (b) of this section. A stone crab trap, float, or rope in the management area during this period will be considered unclaimed or abandoned property and may be disposed of in any manner considered appropriate by the Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer. An owner of such trap, float, or rope remains subject to appropriate civil penalties.

[60 FR 13919, Mar. 15, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 61993, Oct. 3, 2002; 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]