This bill amends Florida Statutes to require licensure for operating freshwater fishing vessels under certain conditions, aligning them with existing regulations for saltwater fishing vessels. Specifically, it stipulates that individuals must obtain a license to operate any vessel for taking or attempting to take both saltwater and freshwater fish for noncommercial purposes. The bill establishes various licensing fees based on the number of customers a vessel can carry, with fees set at $800 for vessels carrying more than 10 customers, $400 for those carrying up to 10, and $200 for vessels carrying 4 or fewer customers. Additionally, it mandates that a log of species taken must be maintained and submitted at the time of license renewal.

The bill also makes conforming amendments to related statutes, ensuring consistency across regulations. It clarifies that individuals fishing from licensed vessels are not required to obtain separate fishing licenses, provided the vessel operator holds the appropriate license. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025. Key insertions in the bill include the addition of "freshwater" alongside "saltwater" in various sections, while certain phrases have been modified for clarity and consistency, such as changing "shall" to "must" in specific contexts.

Statutes affected:
S 834 Filed: 379.354, 212.06