County asks again that Florida end its net ban

Franklin County commissioners have agreed to resend a resolution to the Governor’s office asking for the state to rescind Florida net ban. The ban on gill nets was approved by Florida voters in 1994 as a constitutional amendment. It also severely limits other types of nets that can be used in state waters. County Commissioners voted in March to send a resolution to all coastal counties and to the state asking for their support in overturning the net ban to put fishermen back to work. They feel removing the net ban would be one way to improve Florida’s economy. The county never heard back on the request, and feel it may have gotten lost in the shuffle during this year’s legislative session. The board agreed Tuesday to send the resolution again in the hopes it will get more attention now. The county commission said Florida has a history of doing away with voter approved constitutional amendments it disagrees with specifically citing Florida’s class size and bullet train amendments.