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<\/a>MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. \u2014<\/p>\nMartin County commissioners are rewriting the rules on fishing from public beaches after complaints that shark fishermen are using drones and remote-controlled boats to drop chum offshore and lure sharks closer to swimming areas.<\/p>\n
The county banned fishing from public beaches years ago, but local fishermen have recently pushed back, arguing the rule amounts to government overreach.<\/p>\n
County attorneys told commissioners Tuesday that Florida law allows fishing from public beaches and takes precedence over conflicting county ordinances.<\/p>\n
Commissioners now plan to repeal or rewrite portions of the county\u2019s existing law and replace them with restrictions based on public safety.<\/p>\n
Shark fishing has grown increasingly popular in Martin County, according to residents who addressed commissioners. Some said they are concerned fishermen are putting swimmers at risk by attracting sharks close to shore.<\/p>\n
“Imagine going to one of our beaches, and you\u2019re taking your family, and there\u2019s some guy luring sharks to the shore,” one speaker told commissioners. “Would you want your children swimming in that?”<\/p>\n
Chumming directly from the beach is already prohibited under Florida law. Chumming involves placing bloody fish parts or bait in the water to attract sharks and other fish.<\/p>\n
But commissioners heard complaints that some fishermen are using drones or remote-controlled boats to carry bait offshore before dropping it into the water, potentially allowing them to skirt the state restriction.<\/p>\n
Commissioners agreed the county needs a legally enforceable solution.<\/p>\n
“Our beaches are our crown jewels here on Hutchinson Island, so we have to protect, obviously, our bathers,” one commissioner said. “If you have this kind of activity going on, people will go elsewhere.”<\/p>\n
County attorneys recommended drafting a new ordinance that complies with state fishing laws while relying on the county\u2019s authority to protect public safety and welfare.<\/p>\n
Under the proposal, fishing could be prohibited from county beaches during lifeguard hours, when swimmers are most likely to be in the water.<\/p>\n
The revised ordinance would also prohibit fishing from boat docks while boats are being launched or returning to shore.<\/p>\n
Commissioners directed county staff to draft the new ordinance and bring it back for a future vote.<\/p>\n
Some residents argued the proposal does not go far enough.<\/p>\n
“I think you should extend it to all of Martin County beaches, regardless of whether lifeguards are present or not,” one speaker said.<\/p>\n
It is not yet clear when commissioners will hold a final vote on the new fishing restrictions.<\/p>\n
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