Anglers fishing for sharks from the beach soon will no longer be able to chum from shore.
That’s just one of the new, shore-based shark fishing regulations imposed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) that go into effect July 1, 2019.
And Melbourne Beach Mayor Jim Simmons – a longtime proponent of new regulations – couldn’t be happier.
Last year, FWC staff members crisscrossed the state, seeking out local opinion on shore-based shark fishing. Through a series of public meetings, residents, public officials, surfers, swimmers and anglers alike shared their thoughts on creating a set of regulations to govern the activity.
In December, staff submitted their recommendations to the commission for approval – and last week, they got it.
For over a decade, Simmons has been pushing for regulation, regularly making the drive across the state to attend FWC meetings and offer his insight and opinion. “I am so happy at this result,” Simmons said.
Normally Simmons would have attended the February meeting in person, but it happened to fall on the same night as his town commission meeting, so he wrote a letter to members instead, thanking them for “faithfully and fairly working with the communities to develop these common-sense regulations.”
“The regulations that I hope you adopt today will go a long way toward achieving my goal – common sense compromises that will allow each of us to engage in our respective sports more safely while also decreasing shark mortality,” he wrote.
Despite his elation over the outcome, there was one issue left out that Simmons had hoped would be included: a provision for separating shark fishers from swimmers and surfers by at least 100 yards. But, he said, he expects it will be discussed and debated at future meetings.
“I cannot tell you how happy I am and how proud I am of the coalition that came together to make this happen,” Simmons said. “Government does listen, but it takes persistence at this level.”
There have been 144 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks – including one fatality – in Brevard County since 1882, according to the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida. Most attacks occur when sharks mistake surfers for prey.
The new shark-fishing regulations will go into effect on July 1, 2019 and include:
• Creating a mandatory, no-cost, annual shore-based shark fishing permit. Anglers age 16 and under are exempt only when fishing with a permit-holding adult.
• Prohibiting chumming when fishing for any species from the beach.
• Requiring immediate release of prohibited shark species when fishing from the shore. Angler must 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 fishing.
• Cleaning up and updating the current rule language.
For a complete review of the new regulations and any updates, visit www.myfwc.com.
