Shoreline fishing now has a price

By KEVIN WADLOW

kwadlow@keynoter.com

The end of most license-free shoreline fishing in Florida seems to be as inevitable as the Mallory Square sunset.

Beginning in August, state officials will require most recreational bridge and shore anglers to hold a state $7.50 annual license, newly approved by the Florida Legislature.

Only a veto by Gov. Charlie Crist — fishing in a GOP fundraiser this weekend in Key West — would prevent the shoreline-license law from taking effect.

“We hope the governor understands the situation and will be supportive” of the license, said Ted Forsgren, executive director of the Coastal Conservation Association-Florida.

“We think people who use fishing resources should help pay to maintain the resource,” Forsgren said of his group’s longtime support of a shoreline license.

This year, a mandate from federal fishery managers for a more accurate accounting of Florida’s recreational angler population made the shoreline license a necessity, Forsgren said.

“Removing this glitch [in the state saltwater fishing law] will save Florida’s recreational anglers about $20 million they would have spent on a federal license,” Forsgren said.

Martin Alsobrook from Linda’s Bait Shack on Big Pine Key said he has mixed feelings about a shoreline license.

“We do need a little more [marine] enforcement,” Alsobrook said. “If the money stays within the fishing area, I guess I have no problem with that. But if they just put in the general-revenue fund to spend how they want, I’d be really not happy.”

Proceeds from the shoreline license, as with all fishing license revenue, will go into the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund, which helps pay for things like enforcement, habitat protection and hatcheries, Forsgren said.

As part of the same law, the cost for special stamps required on regular saltwater licenses for snook and lobster will increase.

Lobster stamps will cost $5; snook stamps will cost $10. The stamps have cost $2 since 1989.

Legislative background reports say the shoreline angler license will apply to an estimated 115,000 to 185,000 anglers, and generate about $900,000 annually.

Under the state saltwater fishing law enacted in 1989, Florida residents were not required to have a license to fish from a dock, bridge, pier or shoreline.

Out-of-state residents already must buy a license to fish in Florida whether they fish from a boat, bridge or shore, unless they fish on a for-hire vessel with a boat fishing license. The least expensive license for out-of-state residents costs $17 for a three-day permit.  Click Link Below for Full Story!

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