Florida fishermen now need permit to fish from shore

Florida's saltwater fishermen who fish from shore or from piers or docks will now need a license to do so. Florida resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore need to buy a shoreline fishing license by August the 1st, unless they already have a regular resident saltwater fishing license. 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. Other exemptions include 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. The new shoreline saltwater fishing license for residents goes on sale July 15th, the license costs $7.50 plus administrative and handling fees. The Florida Legislature passed the new license requirement to head off a federal license requirement that will go into effect next year, 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.