In Florida, fossil plants, invertebrates, and shark and stingray teeth collected from state land may be kept for personal use. However, other vertebrate fossils are protected, and their associated sites preserved.
State lands = submerged and upland except private property and any national or state parks/preserves.
Florida Statute (FS) 1004.57 (enacted in the 1980’s) public policy:
- To protect and preserve sites containing vertebrate fossils and provide for the collection, acquisition, and study of vertebrate fossils.
- Title to the fossils vested in the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH) Program of Vertebrate Paleontology for administration.
FS 1004.575 requires FLMNH to develop a statewide plan for upholding FS 1004.57 by:
- Enlisting in the aid of amateur paleontologists by issuing permits to locate, survey, salvage and conserve vertebrate fossils and their associated sites.
- Coordinating with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources (DHR).
- Violations to these statues can lead to a misdemeanor, fine not to exceed $500, imprisonment not to exceed 6 months, and/or a forfeiture of the fossils.
FS 1004.576 states:
- Permit application/renewal fee not to exceed $5.
Regulation Number: 7.0541 Florida Museum of Natural History: Program of Vertebrate Paleontology (Formerly UF RULE 6C1-7.0541; amended 07/10/2023):
- Requires FLMNH VP to verify identification prior to issuing permits.
- Names the Florida Paleontological Society (FPS) as a resource for Florida Fossil Permit Holders.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) monitor permit use in the field. FLMNH monitors reports of fossil discoveries and issues permits.
Florida Fossil Permits DO NOT allow for the collection of archaeological artifacts:
- Archaeological and vertebrate fossil sites are found all throughout Florida, with many cases of overlap, especially in rivers which intermix artifacts and fossils. Unlike vertebrate fossils, artifacts may only be collected with an 1A-32 (Archaeological Research) permit, which are only issued to professional archaeologists under strict guidelines. Florida’s artifacts are protected under the Florida Historical Resources Act (Chapter 267).
- Collecting artifacts on state lands without an 1A-32 Archaeological Research Permit is illegal:
Department of Environmental Protection: Florida Fossil Collecting