The Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) has reversed course into a new regulation, which required non-residents to buy short-term 3- or 7-day recreational fishing licenses in person instead of online, after it drew criticism.<\/p>\n
The change, which took effect late last year, recently prompted a state-wide petition by charter captains opposing the rule, saying it is creating unnecessary hurdles for tourists who love to fish in Florida.<\/p>\n
The captain’s petition aimed to collect more than 3,000 signatures on the petition in hopes the FWC and state lawmakers will restore the previous rule.<\/p>\n
The captains were aiming for more than 3,000 signatures on the petition in hopes the FWC and state lawmakers will restore to the previous rule. They ended up collecting over 7000 signatures<\/a> in favor of the change, posting a victorious update on June 5th.<\/p>\n \u201cWE DID IT! After months of frustration, canceled trips, confusion, and thousands of voices speaking up, FWC has officially restored online purchases for non-resident 3-day and 7-day fishing licenses. We didn\u2019t want to declare a full victory in this until our own customers have tested the process. But we are good!\u201d they wrote from their change.org account<\/a>.<\/p>\n Visitors had objected to the elimination of the requirement that prevented purchasing the recreational fishing licenses online through FWC’s website, making them instead visit a tax collector office, some Walmart locations and bait and tackle shops.<\/p>\n A three-day license costs $17, while a seven-day permit costs $30.<\/p>\n The FWC said the change was designed to simplify and streamline online sales, encourage responsible participation by reducing the number of short-term purchases made in a year, and support Florida’s fisheries by ensuring license revenue funds conservation and management programs.<\/p>\n Critics said the new regulation was negatively impacting Florida’s economy by turning away tourist fishing.<\/p>\n Captain Dylan Hubbard, owner of Hubbard\u2019s Marina in Madeira Beach and president of the Florida Guides Association<\/a>, who led the petition drive, said the sudden change is already impacting guides across the state.<\/p>\n Hubbard says visitors were frustrated by the added step, with some choosing to cancel or avoid booking trips altogether.<\/p>\n “You and I both know how much of a joke that is to tell someone from out of state to go to our local DMVs on their vacation,” Hubbard said. “It\u2019s a nightmare.\u201d<\/p>\n