68B-19.001  Definitions.--  For purposes of this chapter, except where the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1)  "Cobia", also referred to in some areas as ling, means any fish of the species Rachycentron canadum.
(2)  "Fishing pier" means a platform extending from shore over water, used primarily to provide a means for persons to harvest or attempt to harvest fish therefrom.  The term shall not be construed to include any residential dock, marina, or facility at which vessels are launched or moored, but shall include any abandoned bridge serving the function of a fishing pier.
(3)  "Fork length" means the length of a fish as measured from the tip of the snout to the rear center edge of the tail.
(4) "Harvest" means the catching or taking of a fish by any means whatsoever, followed by a reduction of such fish to possession.  Fish that are caught but immediately returned to the water free, alive and unharmed are not harvested.  In addition, temporary possession of a fish for the purpose of measuring it to determine compliance with the minimum size requirements of this chapter shall not constitute harvesting such fish, provided that it is measured immediately after taking, and immediately returned to the water free, alive and unharmed if undersize.
(5)  "Land", when used in connection with the harvest of a fish, means the physical act of bringing the harvested fish ashore.
(6) "Person" means any natural person, firm, entity or corporation.
(7)  "Trip" means a fishing trip of whatever duration which begins with departure of the fishing vessel from a dock, berth, beach, seawall, or ramp and which terminates with return to a dock, berth, beach, seawall, or ramp.
Specific Authority  Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.  Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.  History - New 6-13-85, Amended 1-1-90, 3-22-01, Formerly 46-19.001.
 
68B-19.002  Cobia, Size Limit.--
(1)  No person shall harvest in or from the waters of the state or sell or offer for sale any cobia with a fork length less than 33 inches.
(2)  All cobia shall be landed in a whole condition.  The possession, while in or on state waters, on any public or private fishing pier, on a bridge or catwalk attached to a bridge from which fishing is allowed, or on any jetty, of a cobia that has  been deheaded, sliced, divided, filleted, ground, skinned, scaled, or deboned is prohibited.  Mere evisceration or "gutting" of cobia, or mere removal of gills, before landing is not prohibited.
Specific Authority  Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.  Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.  History - New 6-13-85, Amended 1-1-90, 8-31-98, 3-22-01, Formerly 46-19.002.
 
68B-19.004 Designation as Restricted Species; Bag and Possession Limits.-- 
 
(1) Cobia are hereby designated as a restricted species pursuant to s. 370.01(21), Florida Statutes.
(2) Bag Limits:
(a) Recreational Daily Bag Limit - Except as provided in paragraph (b), no person shall harvest more than 1 cobia per day from waters of the state. No such person shall possess more than 1  cobia while fishing in, on, or above the waters of the state or on any dock, pier, bridge, beach, or other fishing site adjacent to such waters. 
(b) Commercial Daily Bag Limit - No person who fishes pursuant to a valid saltwater products license with a restricted species endorsement shall harvest more than 2 cobia per day from waters of the state.  No such person shall possess more than 2 cobia while fishing in, on, or above the waters of the state or on any dock, pier, bridge, beach, or other fishing site adjacent to such waters.
(c) Vessel Possession Limit - Whether fishing pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b), the possession of more than the applicable daily bag limit of cobia multiplied by the number of persons fishing aboard any vessel, or 6 cobia, whichever is less, is prohibited.  On any single trip aboard a vessel, harvest of cobia shall either be recreational pursuant to paragraph (a) or commercial pursuant to paragraph (b), and the possession of recreational and commercial bag limits simultaneously aboard a vessel is prohibited.
(3)  The possession limits of this rule shall not apply to any licensed seafood dealer or customer thereof possessing a receipt evidencing purchase of cobia.

Specific Authority  Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.  Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const.  History - New 1-1-90, Amended 3-22-01, Formerly 46-19.004.