Florida's Land Based Shark Fishing Is Out of Control — And the Laws in place for Protected Species are being Ignored! Critically Endangered Great Hammerheads are being killed for Trophy Pictures Everywhere!

Shore-based shark fishing in Florida has increased more than 5× in the last decade — yet enforcement and fines of existing laws for protected species is not deterring them at all.

Every year, violations continue without enforcement:

Protected sharks dragged onto beaches for Trophy Photos
Illegal gear used
Unpermitted anglers targeting large sharks near swimmers
These aren’t isolated incidents — they are happening in plain sight, especially across South Florida beaches.

The result?

Dead protected species on our beaches
Increased risk to beachgoers
Growing public outrage and loss of trust in enforcement
FWC created these rules for a reason — but without real enforcement and substantial fines, they mean nothing.

We are calling on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to:

  Increase active enforcement on beaches, especially at night and in high-traffic areas
  Significantly raise fines for violations and start issuing tickets to create real deterrence
  Enforce immediate penalties for illegal handling of protected sharks
  Publicly report enforcement actions to ensure accountability

Florida’s beaches are shared spaces — not unregulated shark fishing zones.

If the laws exist, they must be enforced.

Sign this petition to demand action — for our oceans, our wildlife, and public safety.