Fishing piers/docks/shore no longer free

[SHELLY]

Fishing from piers, docks and shore no longer free
Starting in August you will have to buy a license for $7.50.
By Karen Voyles

CEDAR KEY - Florida residents who have been allowed to fish for free from saltwater piers, docks and shorelines will need to buy a $7.50 license beginning Aug. 1.

In most cases, anglers can expect to pay handling and fees that will raise the price to nearly $10 a year for those ages 16 and older. The new licenses go on sale July 15.

"Why shouldn't we pay just a little bit of money to pay for things connected to fishing?" Andrew Barrett of Ocala said Saturday as he fished from the big dock in Cedar Key with his sons.

Christel Gross of Gainesville, who was fishing with her husband and their two young sons farther down the dock, was less enthusiastic about the new license requirement.

"This just adds one more expense when families are looking for affordable things they can do together," Gross said.

Love it or hate it, the new state license is cheaper than the alternative. Florida's new shoreline license exempts residents from the federal license requirement that takes full effect in 2011 and involves a $15 to $25 annual fee.

Henry Cabbage, spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said his agency is not sure what level of compliance to expect with the new state requirement, so how much money the new license will raise is unclear. Monies raised will be used to cover the costs of research and management of marine species.

"For example, determining the catch rates of mullet," Cabbage said. "We want to know how much harvesting is going on so that we can compare it with how the species can recover from a specific harvest rate."

FWC officials are encouraging anglers to buy a $17 saltwater license that will cover shoreline fishing as well as fishing from boats.

"Not having the shoreline license will be a noncriminal infraction, which carries a $50 fine, court costs and the cost of buying a license," Cabbage said.

There are some exceptions in the law.

Anyone who pays to fish from a pier will be covered by that pier's license.

No license is required for anyone under the age of 16. Anglers who receive food stamps, temporary cash assistance or Medicaid are not required to have a saltwater shoreline license. And you do not need the saltwater shoreline license if you are a Florida resident fishing in saltwater in your home county using a hand line or pole without a reel.

[kkddbb]

its been in the making for a long time coming. its a good thing, but we all should pay not just those who have a job. once again we're victimizing people

[SHELLY]

its been in the making for a long time coming. its a good thing, but we all should pay not just those who have a job. once again we're victimizing people

I think Florida is doing this to subsidize food stamps....remember the saying?..."Teach a man to fish...."

[Smiling JOe]

I'm wondering how long it will be before we are taxed for walking.

[Gidget]

I was wondering if people. like dogs, will have to one day have a beach permit/license. After reading the thread about the Sea Turtle Volunteer it makes one wonder if being on the beach should be a privilege only for those who respect it and leave it in better shape than they found it.

Of course, I am not advocating such, just thinking aloud....

G

[scooterbug44]

Did you negative nellies catch the part of the article that said because of this pesky state fee of $7.50 we won't have to pay the new $15-$25 federal license fee?

I believe most states already require a fishing license for shore/dock fishing. It has caused problems among my relatives when the husband has gone to buy the licenses and hesitated when asked his wife's eye color for the form!

Don't think there should be an exemption for anyone on stamps etc. though.

[30ABandMan]

It seems to be just another tax for them to collect. I don't agree with exemptions, they don't make exemptions when buying cigs, booze or gas.