379.244 Crustacea, marine animals, fish; regulations; general provisions.

(1) OWNERSHIP OF FISH, SPONGES, ETC. — All fish, shellfish, sponges, oysters, clams, and crustacea found within the rivers, creeks, canals, lakes, bayous, lagoons, bays, sounds, inlets, and other bodies of water within the jurisdiction of the state, and within the Gulf of America and the Atlantic Ocean within the jurisdiction of the state, excluding all privately owned enclosed fish ponds not exceeding 150 acres, are the property of the state and may be taken and used by its citizens and persons not citizens, subject to the reservations and restrictions imposed by these statutes. No water bottoms owned by the state shall ever be sold, transferred, dedicated, or otherwise conveyed without reserving in the people the absolute right to fish thereon, except as otherwise provided in these statutes.

(2) TAKING SALTWATER SPECIES FOR EXPERIMENTAL, AQUACULTURAL, SCIENTIFIC, EDUCATION, AND EXHIBITION PURPOSES. — Notwithstanding any other provisions of general or special law to the contrary, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may authorize, upon such terms, conditions, and restrictions as it may prescribe by rule, any properly accredited person to harvest or possess native or nonnative saltwater species for experimental, scientific, education, and exhibition purposes or to harvest or possess reasonable quantities of aquacultural species for brood stock. Such authorizations may allow collection of specimens without regard to, and not limited to, size, seasonal closure, collection method, reproductive state, or bag limit. Authorizations issued under the provisions of this section may be suspended or revoked by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission if it finds that the person has violated this section, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules or orders, or terms or conditions of the authorization or has submitted false or inaccurate information in his or her application.

History: s. 2, ch. 28145, 1953; ss. 25, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 284, ch. 71-136; s. 1, ch. 78-70; s. 1, ch. 80-90; s. 221, ch. 81-259; s. 8, ch. 85-234; s. 557, ch. 95-148; s. 12, ch. 98-333; s. 3, ch. 99-390; s. 76, ch. 2008-247; s. 9, ch. 2010-185; s. 50, ch. 2025-8.