FORT MYERS, Fla. — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission could vote on a statewide ban on Wednesday for "chumming" near the shore to lure sharks.
Chumming is a technique fisherman use to attract sharks by scattering ground up fish parts, blood or oil into the water. FWC could also require a new annual permit for fisherman who cast for sharks from land, which includes taking an online educational program every year.
The permit require fishermen to release some species immediately, without taking them out of the water, using non-stainless steel hooks. The permit would be free of charge and anyone younger than 16 and older than 65 is excluded.
The commission's Director of Marine Fisheries Management said these changes are an attempt to balance the interest of anglers and others who go to the beach to enjoy the water. The commission also says the potential rules will help the agency learn more about how people engage in land-based shark fishing.
Some large fishing organizations have backed these new rules, in part, because the proposal would allow people to still be able to cast from the shoreline, but, a few people argued the changes would limit where people can fish.
The commission said this type of fishing hasn't impacted shark populations in Florida, but they say it's created some "anxiety" among other people at the beach. The commission scheduled it's final public hearing Wednesday in Gainseville. Should the new rules be put into effect, it would start on July 1st.
