On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioners voted unanimously to implement the first-ever shore-based shark fishing rules in the State of Florida, which take effect on July 1, 2019.
These rules are going to change shore-based shark fishing forever!
Many of the egregious practices such as chumming from shore, sitting on sharks for photos and other activities that put sharks and beachgoers at risk are now illegal!
This is a huge step forward in stopping wildlife harassment and protecting Florida’s sharks and beachgoers.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), is limited in their number of law enforcement officers, making oversight and enforcement of new shark fishing rules and regulations difficult. Our Executive Director spoke with top FWC law enforcement officials during the FWC meeting about getting local police departments across our state involved with the enforcement of the new shore-based shark fishing rules and regulations.
In addition, we have enacted a “Shark Watch” program. Our Shark Watch program provides FWC law enforcement with much-needed support and encourages local communities to get involved with monitoring and protecting their beaches, beachgoers, and marine life. We will also be designing signage, with a number to call in and report illegal activity.
This program offers Floridians the opportunity to monitor activities of land-based shark fishers and helps the FWC enforce these new laws!
Abraham Lincoln famously said “law without enforcement is just good advice.”
https://www.floridasharks.org/