Fla. Admin. Code R. 68B-28.0061 (2026)
Harvest of Commercial Sponge by Diving
(1) Prohibited Harvest of Commercial Sponge by Diving – Except in the areas described in paragraphs (2)(a) and (2)(b), a person may not harvest a commercial sponge from Florida Waters by diving.
(2) Areas Open to the Harvest of Commercial Sponge by Diving –
(a) A person may harvest a commercial sponge by diving in the Florida Waters north of a line extended due west from the southernmost point of Egmont Key, northward and westward to the north-south line represented by 85°21'23.04'', which meets the coast near the Cape San Blas lighthouse.
(b) A person may harvest a commercial sponge by diving in the Florida Waters beyond three nautical miles from the shoreline south of a line extended due west from the southernmost point of Egmont Key, southward and eastward to a line extended due west from the coastal boundary between Monroe and Collier Counties (25°, 48 min. N. latitude).
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 9-1-13.
Effective: 9/1/2013.