Today, at their May meeting, Commissioners with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved staff recommendations to advertise proposed rule changes for nonnative species, including Prohibited green iguanas, with no further hearing unless requested. Green iguanas are invasive reptiles that are not native to Florida.
The approved rule changes will allow and activate more Floridians to collect invasive, live green iguanas from their established range within the state and to facilitate sale of those live green iguanas out of Florida. The proposed rule changes also provide an allowance for transfer of live wild-caught green iguanas to permit holders who are authorized to sell live green iguanas out of state.
Additional changes to Chapter 68-5, Florida Administrative Code also address:
“Addressing the threats of invasive species in Florida is a priority for the FWC, but we can’t do it alone,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “Approving these rule changes further empowers our stakeholders to get directly involved in removing green iguanas from the state, a win for Floridians and our native plants and wildlife.”
Invasive species management is a high priority for the FWC because these animals negatively impact native fish and wildlife, cause damage that is costly to repair, and can pose a threat to human health and safety. To learn more about invasive species in Florida, visit MyFWC.com/Nonnatives.
For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Nonnatives and click on Proposed Rule Change.
