SHARK FISHING CHANGES 

Several changes effective July 1, including new educational course and permit

New shark fishing requirements go into effect July 1, including a mandatory, no-cost, annual Shore-based Shark Fishing permit and educational course for shore-based anglers and other requirements that apply to all shark fishing and fishing from the beach in general.

To take the educational course, which must be completed before getting the permit, visit MyFWC.com/SharkCourse.

Other regulation changes effective July 1, 2019:

• Prohibiting chumming when fishing for any species from the beach.
• Requiring immediate release of prohibited shark species when fishing from the shore and requiring anglers to cut the leader or hook if necessary to prevent delaying release of prohibited species.
• Requiring that prohibited shark species remain fully in the water (when fishing from shore or from a vessel).
• Requiring the use of non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks to target or harvest sharks when using live or dead natural bait (when fishing from shore and from a vessel).
• Requiring the possession/use of a device capable of quickly cutting the leader or hook when targeting sharks (when fishing from shore or a vessel).

These rules are intended to increase survival of released sharks, improve information gathering from the fishery and address public safety concerns.