Purpose


The purpose of these rule amendments is to provide further conservation of sharks, address stakeholder concerns related to the shore-based shark fishery, clarify current shark regulations through cleanup of the Sharks and Rays rule chapter, and support recent legislative shark finning penalties updates by modifying the regulations found in 68B-44, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). The effect of these rules will be to establish a mandatory no-cost, annual shore-based shark fishing (SBSF) permit; prohibit chumming when fishing from beaches; require immediate release of prohibited shark species (when fishing from shore); require prohibited shark species remain in the water (when fishing from shore and vessels); require the possession/use of appropriate cutters (when fishing from shore and vessels); and require the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks (when fishing from shore and vessels). These rules will also provide additional clarification for the Commission’s current shark regulations and update rule language related to recent legislative shark finning penalty changes.