Re: Is fishing licence required in Fla for Ocean fishing ?
License now required
for Florida shoreline anglers
by Carly Canion
Fishing regulations and licenses are nothing new to anglers in Florida. In fact, Florida?s first fishing regulation was passed only 10 years after Florida became a state; in 1855, haul seines were prohibited in freshwater. In the 1940s, Florida introduced a freshwater fishing license and began to hire scientists to survey fish populations. The first saltwater fishing license was introduced in 1989. Now under the careful management of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida?s fishing regulations are based on scientific data and are specifically designed to conserve fish species and maintain fish health for future generations. All of the revenue collected from the sale of saltwater fishing licenses supports FWC?s marine fisheries research, law enforcement and management programs.
In 2007, the U.S. Congress established the National Saltwater Angler Registry. This registry requires everyone in the United States who fishes in federal waters, or fishes for anadromous species in state waters, to be licensed. However, if a state can show that its licensing system is adequate to monitor recreational fishing effort, then state anglers can be exempted from purchasing this new federal license.
The Florida resident recreational shoreline license exemption was the single item preventing Florida from being exempt in the current federal system. During the 2009 Florida Legislative session, the exemption was repealed, so Florida residents are now exempt from the federal registration requirement.
Beginning August 1, 2009, Florida residents fishing for saltwater species from the shore or from a structure fixed to shore will need a state fishing license. The annual resident shoreline fishing license will cost $9.00 and will be available for purchase on July 15, 2009. Residents do not need to purchase this license in addition to other saltwater fishing licenses. This $9.00 license covers shoreline fishing only?not fishing from watercraft. Resident anglers may consider purchasing a $17.00 one-year saltwater license which covers both shoreline and watercraft recreational fishing. If you have purchased a $9.00 shoreline license and later decide you want to fish from a boat, you will be required to pay the full amount of $17.00 for the annual license.
There are many benefits of this new system for anglers.
Anglers avoid paying federal fees
■■An estimated 600,000 to 800,000 anglers in Florida are saving money because they will not have to get a federal license.
■■Anglers only have to pay for the state license, instead of paying for both a state license and federal license, which is expected to cost between $15 and $25.
More money for Florida?s marine fisheries management
■■The FWC is estimating that new licenses bought because the shoreline exemption has been repealed will bring in about $1 million in the first year.
■■The federal Sport Fish Restoration program gives Florida money based on how many licenses are sold. Florida may receive an additional $861,000 in the first year, depending on the number of new paid license holders.
■■The money, both state and federal, that is generated from these new sales will go directly to improving marine fisheries in Florida. There are many programs supported by these dollars that directly benefit marine fisheries management, research, enhancement, boating access, fish health and angler outreach.
Improved data for management and quality
■■The federal registry will greatly improve the amount of recreational fishing data on catch and effort.
■■Florida uses this data to monitor the harvest and the health of its fish populations.
■■Better data will improve state and federal managers? ability to manage marine fisheries and ensure recreational fishing opportunities for the future.
Many exemptions exist
■■You do not need a license if you are:
??under 16 years of age
??Florida resident over 65 years of age
??fishing from a for-hire vessel
??fishing from a pier with a valid pier saltwater fishing license
??Florida resident who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, home on leave for 30 days or less
??Florida resident who possesses a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate
??Florida resident who qualifies for food stamps, temporary cash assistance, or Medicaid from Department of Children and Family Services and carries an issued ID card while fishing
■■Any resident fishing for recreational purposes only, within her or his county of residence with live or natural bait, using poles or lines not equipped with a fishing line retrieval mechanism will not have to purchase a license.
Now that the resident shoreline license exemption has been repealed, many more anglers are directly contributing to the marine fisheries management programs and partnerships in our state. Recreational fishing licenses are a great investment in the future of Florida?s fisheries
. every area has it's particular baits that work better than in other areas.
