With MACNA 2010 finally wrapping up there were many side stories. One such side story involved the Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation commission. Apparently in the state of Florida you need the proper permits, licenses, and certifications for anyone selling, trading and auctioning or even taking Frags to their Local Fish store for credit is committing an offense. With that offense you can of course be be fined and/or imprisoned.
A Lieutenant Brown was at the show, huddled on the far side of the Exhibit hall using a high table to write out paperwork. Several coral vendors weren’t to happy to be pulled away from their booths and taken aside to get a nice talking to from Lieutenant Brown. That talking to was essentially a warning for not having the proper permits and what not.
However, not too long after that FWC officers went back and apologized after more research was done showing they didn’t need to have permits and went back and retracted the warnings. However, several vendors still had warnings stand for clams, but warnings only. Also we aren’t to sure how the issue was left so if any coral vendors at the show would care to speak up in comments, we await your reply.
The Law centers around
Florida Statute 379.361 states:
(2)SALTWATER PRODUCTS LICENSE.—
(a) Every person, firm, or corporation that sells, offers for sale, barters, or exchanges for merchandise any saltwater products, or which harvests saltwater products with certain gear or equipment as specified by law, must have a valid saltwater products license, except that the holder of an aquaculture certificate under s. 597.004 is not required to purchase and possess a saltwater products license in order to possess, transport, or sell marine aquaculture products.Saltwater products are defined in Florida Statue 379.101 as:
(36)“Saltwater products” means any species of saltwater fish, marine plant, or echinoderm, except shells, and salted, cured, canned, or smoked seafood.
But, you might read that and think the law doesn’t apply?
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