(1) The harvest or attempted harvest of any swordfish in or from state waters is prohibited except by use of hook and line gear.
    (2) The landing requirements contained in this section shall not apply to lawful commercial harvest in federal waters when such harvest is transported directly through state waters with gear appropriately stowed. Transit shall be direct, continuous and expeditious from the place where lawful harvest occurred to the place where the vessel is regularly docked, moored, or otherwise stored or to the place of the licensed wholesale dealer where the catch is to be sold. For the purpose of this section appropriately stowed means a longline may be left on the drum if all gangions and hooks are disconnected and stowed below deck. Hooks cannot be baited. All buoys must be disconnected from the gear; however buoys may remain on deck. A rod and reel must be stowed securely. Terminal gear (i.e., hooks, leaders, sinkers, flashers, or baits) must be disconnected and stowed separately from the fishing apparatus. Sinkers must be disconnected from the down rigger and stowed separately.
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 2-13-14.