Expand / Collapse search
☰

Changes coming to shore-based shark fishing regulations, the FWC decides

Published  February 21, 2019 5:29pm EST
News
FOX 13 Tampa Bay
4053feac-shark_1519927025619-402429.png article

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Changes are coming to shore-based shark fishing regulations, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) decided at a meeting in Gainesville on Wednesday.

The commission made several changes with the intention of increasing the survival of released sharks. They also hope to improve information gathering for the fishery and address some of the public safety concerns related to fishery.

The FWC said that the following rule changes will into effect on July 1st:

  • Creating a mandatory, no-cost, annual shore-based shark fishing permit. This permit will be required for all shore-based shark anglers age 16 and older, including those 65 and older who are normally exempt from needing a fishing license.)
  • This permit will be required for all shore-based shark anglers age 16 and older, including those 65 and older who are normally exempt from needing a fishing license.)
  • Requiring those under 16 to take the educational requirement associated with the permit unless they are fishing with an adult who already holds the permit.
  • Prohibiting chumming when fishing for any species from the beach.
  • Requiring immediate release of prohibited shark species when fishing from the shore.  Requiring anglers to cut the leader, line or hook to prevent delaying release of prohibited species.
  • Requiring anglers to cut the leader, line or hook to prevent delaying release of prohibited species.
  • Requiring that prohibited shark species remain in the water (when fishing from shore or from a vessel).
  • Requiring the use of non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks to target or harvest sharks when using live or dead natural bait (when fishing from shore and from a vessel).
  • Requiring the possession/use of a device capable of quickly cutting the leader or hook when targeting sharks (when fishing from shore or a vessel).
  • Defining beach, chumming and shore-based shark fisher. Includes changes to how shore-based shark fisher is defined.
  • Includes changes to how shore-based shark fisher is defined.
  • Cleaning up and updating the current rule language.