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Florida Shoreline Anglers Need To Buy License By Aug. 1

Tallahassee, FL-(FishNLand.com)- Florida’s resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore will need to buy a $7.50 (plus administrative and handling fees) shoreline fishing license by Aug. 1, unless they have a regular resident saltwater fishing license.

The new license applies only to Florida resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore. Resident anglers may prefer to purchase the regular recreational saltwater license that covers them, no matter where they fish for saltwater species in Florida.

Florida has always required nonresidents to have a license when fishing from shore, and they will still need to purchase a regular nonresident saltwater fishing license.

The new shoreline saltwater fishing license for residents goes on sale July 15. It provides all of the same exemptions as a regular license, including senior citizens, children, disabled people who meet certain qualifications, active-duty military personnel while home on leave, and anglers who fish from a licensed pier.

In addition, the shoreline license requirement includes two new exemptions:

* anglers drawing food stamps, temporary cash assistance or Medicaid; and
* anglers fishing in their home counties who use cane poles or other gear that does not depend on mechanical retrieval.

At the request of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Legislature passed the new license requirement to head off a federal license requirement that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2010, and will have a $15-$25 fee beginning in 2011. Florida’s new shoreline license exempts this state’s anglers from the federal license requirement.

Several hunting, fishing and conservation organizations requested other permit fee changes, which do not take effect until July 2010. They include increases in:

* the state waterfowl stamp, from the current $3 to $5;
* in the resident turkey permit, from $5 to $10;
* the nonresident turkey permit, from $100 to $125;
* the wildlife management area permit for hunting, fishing and other recreational uses, from $25 to $30;
* the limited-entry or special-opportunity hunt fee, from $100 per day to $150 per day and $250 per week to $300 per week, as determined by FWC Commissioners;
* the snook permit, from $2 to $10; and
* the lobster permit, from $2 to $5.

Also, new laws create a $5 annual deer permit (in addition to the current hunting license requirement for deer hunters) and allow the agency to charge up to $5 per day for non-hunting and non-fishing recreation on certain wildlife management areas.

The FWC will evaluate areas where it is the lead manager to determine where to charge the fees and how much to charge. In addition, the state will use up to 10 percent of the hunting and sport-fishing fees to promote those sports, with emphasis on youth participation.

For more information about outdoor recreation and FWC programs, go to MyFWC.com.

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Florida Governor, Cabinet proclaim June 27 – July 3 as Dive Flag Awareness Week

Dive flags must be displayed at all times while divers and snorkelers are in the water. (FWC photo)

Tallahassee, FL -(FishNLand.com)- In the past five years, 22 divers in Florida’s waters have been killed or injured after a boat struck them. Many of these incidents could have been avoided had the boaters been on the lookout for divers-down flags, or if the divers had properly displayed the dive flags to alert boaters to their presence.

Today, Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet passed a resolution proclaiming June 27 – July 3 as Dive Flag Awareness Week.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the U.S. Coast Guard and their marine law enforcement partners support the resolution.

Lt. David Bingham, an FWC watch commander stationed in south Florida, became very familiar with diving dangers after investigating several injuries and fatalities.

“Tens of thousands of residents and visitors enjoy the great snorkeling and diving opportunities Florida has to offer,” Bingham said. “Obviously, divers don’t want to be struck by a boat, and boaters don’t want to strike anyone either.”

Bingham conducts an annual “Wave the Flag” enforcement detail targeting dive-flag-related violations in south Florida. He is on a mission to promote dive-flag awareness and is encouraged by the proclamation.

“We want folks to enjoy diving without having to look over their shoulder wondering if they are going to be hit,” Bingham said. “It’s time folks pay attention to what a divers-down flag means and to ‘steer clear,’ and divers need to make sure they present their flags according to the laws.”

A divers-down flag used on a vessel must be displayed whenever divers or snorkelers are in the water. The divers-down flag is red with a white diagonal stripe. It must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches and flown at a high point, observable 360 degrees around the vessel. A divers-down flag towed on a float must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. It must have a wire or other stiffener to hold it open.

Divers and snorkelers must make every reasonable effort to stay close to their flag. When they exit the water, the divers-down flag must be taken down.

“It is imperative that divers and snorkelers remove the divers-down flag once they are out of the water or, otherwise, the presence of the flag becomes meaningless to boaters,” Bingham said. “The display of the flag should never be used for any other reason than what it is intended – to indicate there are persons in the water. Using it for any other reason is dangerous and unlawful.”

All vessels must make a reasonable effort to stay at least 100 feet away from a divers-down flag within a river, inlet or channel. In open waters, vessels must make a reasonable effort to stay 300 feet away from a divers-down flag. Within those prescribed distances, a vessel may operate but must be at idle speed.

“With bay scallop and spiny lobster season just around the corner, the FWC, our marine law enforcement partners, the governor and the cabinet members really want to emphasize the importance of engaging all safety precautions, including the use of divers-down flags,” Bingham said. “If you’re diving, display a flag. If you’re boating, look for the flag.”

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Governor, Cabinet proclaim May 16-22 National Safe Boating Week in Florida

St Petersburg, FL -(FishNLand.com)-Although Florida’s boating season never really ends, National Safe Boating Week and Memorial Day weekend mark the traditional beginning around the country. On Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Crist and Cabinet members passed a resolution proclaiming May 16-22 National Safe Boating Week in Florida.

At the Cabinet meeting, Col. Julie Jones, director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement, and Rear Adm. Steve Branham, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Seventh District, used the recognition of National Safe Boating Week to speak about their combined boating safety efforts in Florida.

Jones expressed excitement that state boating fatalities dropped 30 percent from 2007 to 2008 but warned that much work remains.

“Friends and families of the victims remind us daily that we still have a lot of work to do,” Jones said.

“Always, always, wear your life jacket and ‘Boat Responsibly,’” Branham said, echoing a safe-boating motto.

He also stressed the importance of filing a float plan, having a working VHF marine radio on board and purchasing a distress signal known as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, or EPIRB.

Both Jones and Branham encouraged all boaters to take time to concentrate on executing simple, but effective steps to make their experience safer, like staying focused while operating a boat and getting one of the new, comfortable, inflatable life jackets – and wearing it all the time while on the water.

Branham demonstrated the user-friendly features of inflatable life jackets for the governor and Cabinet members.

“We live in the greatest boating state in the nation,” Jones said, “and we intend to see that it just gets better, and safer – for all of us to enjoy.

“The FWC recognizes National Safe Boating Week as part of its commitment to continue making boating safer in Florida,” Jones noted. “The best ways to avoid boating accidents and fatalities is for the captain to pay attention and for all aboard to wear life jackets.”

About:

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is a part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Our statewide research programs focus on obtaining the data and information that managers of fish, wildlife, and ecosystem resources need to sustain Florida’s precious natural resources. Our scientific activities rely heavily on many collaborative partnerships with other government, academic, non-profit, and private fish and wildlife research institutions. Most of the programs at FWRI are funded from user fees—such as hunting and fishing licenses—specialty license plates, or grants.

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