Bill > S0988

This bill establishes the "Marine and Aquatic Native Threatened Animal Protection Act" to protect endangered, threatened, or vulnerable aquatic animal species in Florida's state waters. The legislation defines key terms, including "aquatic animal" as any vertebrate or invertebrate species inhabiting state waters, and "endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species" as those on Florida's official list or the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. The bill prohibits taking, possessing, transporting, or exporting such species for exhibition or educational purposes, and prevents the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from issuing licenses that would allow such activities. Violations are classified as Level Four offenses, with each individual animal taken constituting a separate offense. The bill does include exceptions for rescue, rehabilitation, and scientific study conducted under state or federal authorization, and it does not limit federal authority under existing environmental protection laws like the Endangered Species Act. By creating these protections, the bill aims to safeguard marine and aquatic species that are at risk of extinction or significant population decline, while still allowing for essential scientific research and conservation efforts.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/988