As used in this rule chapter:
    (1) “”Coral”” means the corals of the Class Hydrozoa (stinging and hydrocorals); the Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Scleractinia (stony corals) and Antipatharia (black corals).
    (2) “”Ecological Reserve”” means an area of the Sanctuary consisting of contiguous, diverse habitats, within which uses are subject to conditions, restrictions and prohibitions, including access restrictions, intended to minimize human influences, to provide natural spawning, nursery, and permanent residence areas for the replenishment and genetic protection of marine life, and also to protect and preserve natural assemblages of habitats and species within areas representing a broad diversity of resources and habitats found within the Sanctuary.
    (3) “”Fish”” means finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and all forms of marine animal and plant life other than marine mammals and birds.
    (4) “”Fishing”” means:
    (a) The catching, taking, or harvesting of fish;
    (b) The attempted catching, taking, or harvesting of fish;
    (c) Any other activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish, or
    (d) Any operation at sea in support of, or in preparation for, any activity described in paragraphs (a) through (c). Such term does not include any scientific research activity which is conducted by a scientific research vessel.
    (5) “”Modified lampara net”” means a purse seine which has at least one wing that is not part of the pursing section of the seine, used to harvest baitfish near the top of the water column. The wing is used to skim the water surface as the net is drawn in and fish are herded into the pursing section to be harvested with a dip net.
    (6) “”Not available for immediate use”” means not readily accessible for immediate use, e.g., by being stowed unbaited in a cabin, locker, rod holder, or similar storage area, or by being securely covered or lashed to a deck or bulkhead.
    (7) “”Sanctuary”” means the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
    (8) “”Sanctuary Preservation Area”” means an area of the Sanctuary than encompasses a discrete, biologically important area, within which uses are subject to conditions, restrictions and prohibitions, including access restrictions, to avoid concentrations of uses that could result in significant declines in species populations or habitat, to reduce conflicts between uses, to protect areas that are critical for sustaining important marine species or habitats, or to provide opportunities for scientific research.
    (9) “”Special-use Area”” means an area of the Sanctuary set aside for scientific research and educational purposes, recovery or restoration of Sanctuary resources, monitoring, to prevent use or user conflicts, to facilitate access and use, or to promote public use and understanding of Sanctuary resources.
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV. Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV. Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 7-1-97, Amended 11-16-98, Formerly 46-6.001.