Regulations changing for shore-based shark fishing

As warmer days make their way to the beach, so do fishermen looking for a great catch, but if you're one of those fishermen who like to catch sharks, you'll want to know about the new laws put in place by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The new shore-based shark fishing regulations passed by the FWC in February will take effect July 1, 2019. Shore-based shark fishing is defined as "any person targeting or harvesting sharks from shore, including from any structure attached to shore such as jetties, bridges, and piers."

Amanda Nalley, the Public Information Specialist for the FWC, said "We've held several workshops across the state to help get input on the issue and the changes that we have worked through at this last commission meeting that were approved are changes that came from stakeholder's at this workshop."

Fishermen have expressed concerns regarding the new regulation that certain shark species may not be pulled from the water if caught.

Thomas Donelan, a local fisherman, said, "There's some aspects of it that, you know, are good for shark fishing and then there's some that aren't quite so good and the biggest concern I think of a lot of people, and the people that I've talked to [have], is the safety aspect of the releasing of the fish."

Some fishermen said they do appreciate the regulations and what they mean for shark preservation.

Matthew LaClaire, a visiting fisherman, said, "I do believe that there's plenty of room for shark conservation, some of the shark populations are dropping."

Although some may not agree with the new regulations, the FWC says the public was in mind when these changes were approved, as were the sharks.

"The stakeholders that we spoke to had different sets of concerns. We really tried hard to take all of those concerns and find some regulation changes that would address their concerns while still allowing those who want to participate in fishery to be able to do so," said Nalley.

The new regulations include:

-Mandatory, no-cost, annual shore-based shark fishing permit.

(Required age 16 and older, including 65 and older, under 16 take 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 (shore).

-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 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).