During the 2008 Legislative session, CCA Florida worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to remove the shoreline exemption from the saltwater fishing license. The exemption allows Florida residents to fish from the shoreline without having a fishing license. The FWC and CCA Florida have urged removal of the exemption and addition of a provision for a free license or waiver for subsistence anglers such as individuals who receive benefits from Medicaid and Food Stamp programs. All other exemptions such as under 16 and over 65 would not be changed. Senators Dockery and Jones have supported these efforts.

While the removal was not successful, CCA Florida will push again in 2009 because removing the shoreline exemption is necessary to qualify the Florida license to meet the upcoming federal angler registration law. If Florida does not modify the exemption then the federal agency will step in and charge an additional fee to “register” Florida’s saltwater anglers and the funds will not be used to manage Florida fisheries.

CCA Florida successfully promoted the legislative establishment of a saltwater recreational fishing license in 1989. The license has provided more than 200 million dollars in revenue dedicated to marine research, management, and law enforcement. The FWC has estimated that removal of the shoreline exemption would generate an additional 1.7 to 2.5 million dollars annually. Also, every certified fishing license holder helps Florida obtain approximately seven dollars in Federal Aid funds for sport fish restoration funds.

Earlier this year FWC Commissioners once again dealt with the mesh size issue in seine nets. Commercial netters were pushing for a larger mesh size which would convert a seine net into a gill net. Representative Gardiner and Representative Seiler stood in opposition to the attempt to circumvent the clear intent of 72% of Florida citizens who voted to ban gill nets in all State waters. The FWC maintained the regulations banning gillnets.

 “These legislators have always been there to help us on fisheries conservation issues. Their continued leadership and support during the 2008 legislative session and beyond has been outstanding,” said Ted Forsgren, CCA Florida Executive Director.