FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting addressed a number of issues important to anglers and outdoorsmen and women Wednesday on the first of two days of meetings in Fort Lauderdale. I
In the morning session, shore-based shark fishing received the majority of the attention and the 7-member commission voted unanimously to direct FWC staff to begin working on regulations to address concerns brought forth by more than 15 speakers.
Also speaking will be Jim Abernethy of Scuba Adventures, a shark advocate who has guided divers to shark dives for decades.
A total of 21 speakers signed up to address the commission about shore-based shark fishing. Of those, all but two pointed out problems with shore-based shark fishing.
FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton has recognized a group of youth anglers from Boca Raton who began a non-profit called Fillet for Friends. They use eco-friendly fishing techniques and donate their catches to food banks.
So far, 800 pounds of locally hook-and-line caught fish have been donated, feeding 4,500 people in South Florida.
FWC law enforcement officer Kyle Patterson was honored with the Guy Harvey Award for enforcement of laws regarding marine sea turtles.
On May 5, 2017, investigator Kyle Patterson and his colleagues determined four sea turtle nests on Hutchinson Island near Blind Creek Beach were molested. He led a surveillance effort which eventually led to the apprehension of a suspect who stole over 500 turtle eggs.
Database: Treasure Coast shark attacks
Of these, 440 of them were still viable and reburied. The Guy Harvey Award includes a $1,000 stipend and two night stay at a Guy Harvey Resort. The suspect has been sentenced to 12 months of federal prison.
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