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 freshwater or saltwater fish for noncommercial purposes, with specified fees based on the number of customers the vessel can carry. The bill also introduces a requirement for maintaining a log of species taken and the dates they were caught, which must be submitted at the time of license renewal.

Additionally, the bill makes conforming amendments to related statutes, ensuring consistency across regulations regarding fishing licenses. 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.

Statutes affected:
S 834 Filed: 379.354, 212.06