The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted in April to draft new rules for anglers who target shark from shorelines, including restrictions to limit the practice, like banning shark fishing from public beaches and piers, prohibiting certain tackle that can be used to target the fish and issuing of permits for those who wish to target sharks.
The FWC is seeking public input on possible rule changes through a series of open forum workshops around the state in July and August. Stakeholders will be permitted to express their opinions on the future management of this fishery by attending a public workshop.
Events are currently scheduled for:
- July 18: Bradenton, State College of Florida, Library and Learning Center – Together Manatee Community Room, 5840 26th St. W.
- July 19: Ft. Myers, Joseph P. D’Alessandro Office Complex, Room 165 C & D, 2295 Victoria Ave.
- Aug. 6: Panama City, Gulf Coast State College, The Russell C. Holley and Herbert P. Holley Language and Literature Building, Sarzin Lecture Hall, 5230 W. U.S. Highway 98.
- Aug. 7: Pensacola, Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center – Parks & Recreation Department, 913 S. I St.
- Aug. 20: South Daytona, Piggotte Community Center, Reception Hall Room, 504 Big Tree Road.
- Aug. 21: Jacksonville, Jacksonville University, J. Henry Gooding Building – Swisher Auditorium, 2800 University Blvd. N.
- Aug. 27: Melbourne Beach, Melbourne Beach Community Center, 509 Ocean Ave.
- Aug. 28: West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Department of Planning, Zoning & Building – The Vista Center, 2300 N. Jog Road.
- Aug. 29: Miami, Miami City Hall – Commission Main Chambers, 3500 Pan American Drive.
- Aug. 30: Key Colony Beach, City Hall, 600 W. Ocean Drive.
All workshops start at 6 p.m. local timeIf you cannot attend an in-person meeting, submit comments online by visiting MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.
