Florida Salt Water Fishing Laws
Florida saltwater fishing laws are governed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and are updated regularly. The Florida Division of Law Enforcement carries out the laws, issues citations to boaters and fishermen for violations and assists boaters and fishermen who get into trouble on the water. It also navigates and protects the waters and provides regulatory information to traveling fishermen. Licenses and/or permits are required for anyone wishing to fish in Florida's coastal waters.
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Buying Fishing Licenses
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Personal and commercial saltwater fishing licenses and permits are sold for a fee at Florida county tax assessors' offices and by subagents at stores that sell bait and fishing gear. Licenses also can be obtained by calling 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA, or by applying online at MyFWC.com. Licensing and permitting fees are set by the Florida legislature and can change at any time.
Licensing & Permitting Requirements
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A person applying for a saltwater fishing license must have lived in Florida for six consecutive months and consider Florida his permanent home. A member of the United States military also may apply for a fishing license if Florida is his permanent base. Non-resident licenses are issued to vacationers or long-term visitors for specified periods up to a year. The laws that apply to licenses dictate the category or species of fish a person is allowed to catch and keep. For example, if a freshwater fish is caught and only a saltwater license is held, the fish must be let go. Permits are required for species such as crawfish, tarpon, lobster and snook, and are issued with the licenses for an additional fee.
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Types of Licenses
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There are different types of licenses and permits for Florida residents, non-residents and commercial boats. They include: 1- and 5-year Florida Resident Licenses, three-day, seven-day and one-year non-resident licenses, Resident Permanent Senior Licenses, Lifetime Saltwater Fishing Licenses, Lifetime Sportsman Licenses, Saltwater Products Licenses, Wholesale Saltwater Products Dealer Licenses, Retail Saltwater Products Dealer Licenses and Charter Boat and Charter Captain licenses, also called Vessel Licenses. These are issued for boats that transport passengers on recreational fishing trips. Fees vary depending on the number of passengers on the boat.
Exemptions
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There are people in Florida who don't need a saltwater fishing license in certain situations. They include: passengers on a recreational commercial fishing boat; children under age 16; Florida residents fishing off public land or land they own, or while fishing on a public pier or other structure; a member of the military who doesn't live in Florida, but who's on leave for at least 30 days; or residents of Florida age 65 or older or disabled persons, who hold fishing certificates. Licenses are not required for anyone during Florida's mandated "free-fishing weekend," which is held the first week in April. Those who are exempt from buying licenses also don't have to buy permits.
Prohibitions
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The use of explosives or firearms and dumping chemicals into Florida coastal waters is illegal. Monofilament nets or fishing lines are not permitted to be left behind in the water as wildlife can get tangled up, injured or killed. Certain species of fish are prohibited from being caught by a spear or a bowhunt.
Limitations
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Florida saltwater fishing laws allow fishermen to catch and take a regulated number of bags filled with one species of fish in a 24-hour period.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit RoyMontgomery:Flickr.com
