VENICE, Fla. — Shark fishing from the Venice Fishing Pier is now illegal after city officials passed a new ordinance on Tuesday.
The change comes after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission implemented new shark fishing regulations in July.
According to the ordinance, city officials found it unlikely that shark fishing from the pier would comply with the new regulations.
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The new regulations require those fishing for sharks from shore, who are age 16 and over, to pass an online educational course and get a no-cost permit that has to be renewed annually.
According to FWC, the regulations don't apply if you're fishing for sharks from a boat. It does, however, include those 65 and older who are normally exempt from needing a fishing license.
FWC says the permit is required if you plan to fish from shore for any species of fish and will be:
- Fishing with a metal leader more than 4 feet long,
- Using a fighting belt/harness, or
- Deploying bait by any means other than casting (kayaking for example) while using a hook that is 1 ½ inches or larger at the widest inside distance.
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