Shark fishing making waves with county commission IR County

[BoatlessFisherman]

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Shark fishing making waves with county commissioners PDF Print E-mail
By Debbie Carson - Apr. 26, 2010, 10:04am

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Shark fishing on the county’s beaches has attracted the attention of one county commissioner who is now asking staff to review the county’s policies and rules.

“I don’t believe this is a safe practice,” said Commissioner Joe Flescher of fishermen attracting sharks toward the shore and then dragging the sea predator up onto the beach near sunbathers.

Flescher said the two most prevalent types of sharks swimming off the coast of Indian River County are bulls and tigers, the second and third most feared shark species behind the great white.

Fellow commissioners agreed that more information about the practice of shark fishing and the ramifications is needed before they proceed with changing or adding any rules.

Commissioners Gary Wheeler and Wesley Davis both said at a recent commission meeting that they would not support out-right banning of shark fishing from the shore.

“They’re after the bait, not the people,” Wheeler said of the sharks.

Flescher told commissioners that the shark fishermen canoe or kayak a bucket of chum out from the shore to attract the sharks to the area. He added that unsuspecting swimmers could be downstream of the bucket.

“I think it’s pretty crystal clear what’s taking place,” Flescher said. “We’re waiting for an accident to happen.”

Wheeler said he has SCUBA dived numerous times and spearfished and never had the misfortune of being on the wrong end of a shark – even while trailing a bloody bag filled with fish.

Commissioner Bob Solari said he has been hiking and out in nature and never been fearful of the wildlife.

“But I’ve never grabbed a panther by the tail,” he said.

He added that shoreline shark fishing near sunbathers and swimmers is the reason why government has to pass laws – people leave common sense and logic at home.

“This is one of the dumbest things on God’s green earth,” Solari said.

While Davis said he would not support banning the shoreline sport, he agreed that the public has a reasonable expectation of safety when they go to the beach.

“It’s the blood in the water that bothers me,” Davis said.

However, sharks are out in the ocean, not far from shore regardless of whether or not fishermen have chummed and baited the water, Commission Chairman Peter O’Bryan said.

Doug Distl, the manager of the Carlton community along the beach, brought the issue to Flescher’s attention, asking him to ban shoreline shark fishing after he found fishermen from outside the area fishing for sharks as part of an Internet-based shark fishing tournament.

Distl told commissioners that they would not want the county to develop the reputation of the “shark fishing capital” of the southeast.

He said that his community has been proactive in warning residents when conditions are unsafe to swim – sending out emails when the fish are running near the shore, which attracts sharks.

“Let’s be proactive,” Distl urged commissioners.

After the meeting and commissioners agreed to get more information before changing or adding rules, Distl expressed disappointment that commissioners were delaying action.

One of the reasons for delay is to allow County Attorney Alan Polackwich to better determine who has jurisdiction over the shore and the waters.

He said a cursory review of state laws suggests the county has jurisdiction and could establish and enforce the rules.

However, Polackwich pointed out a state law that seems to reserve the right to the state to make laws pertaining to saltwater fishing.

Polackwich said the county might be able to establish an overriding rule based on public safety concerns.

“It’s an attraction of sharks issue” not fishing, the attorney said. However, he told commissioners that he could not give a 100 percent guarantee that any county ordinance would withstand a legal challenge from the state.

“Heading down this path is a challenge,” he said.

[fixed80]

hopefully Shark fishing in the treasure coast wont be prohibited; but anyway, based on satellite images taken above... there are very few beaches in the county to fish from period. if only the county would have set aside enough land for the public, than shark fishermen wouldn't be forced to fish in crowded areas at all.

[james380]

At least there are commissioners that are pleading our side of the case.

[bolo]

Kiss our shores good bye to fishing itself. For the people who shark fish near swimmers you have s*** for brain. You didn't think there were no consquence for doing that. I laught at the part when they said shark fisherman kayak a bucket of chum to attract sharks.

Tommy, you have a few more years before shark fishing in Florida will be ban.

[Team rebel]

Kiss our shores good bye to fishing itself. For the people who shark fish near swimmers you have s*** for brain. You didn't think there were no consquence for doing that. I laught at the part when they said shark fisherman kayak a bucket of chum to attract sharks.

Tommy, you have a few more years before shark fishing in Florida will be ban.

This is a serious matter and deserves everybodys attention who shark fishes, all you people who call yourself shark fisherman and continue not to step up to the plate when issues like this hit are a disgrace and I mean that to fullest extent of the word. If nobody has noticed or you didnt get the memo this has been happening more and more recently and if you people dont start showing up, and contributing, kiss the sport goodbye

[crashmister]

The over reaction has been wide spread to the point the sharkers are being blamed for butchering the shark. The goofs leading the charge are some very shady people to say the least. Dr Hammershlag (sp) was fired from the Guy Harvey foundation because he was such a credibility disaster. And Mary whats her face flat out lied to the DelRay city commission about Sharking on the DelRay beaches. She sent the Mayors office a letter in which she totally misrepresented the photos that she had as being Sharks that have been killed on DelRay beaches. Make no mistake people this is an outright attack on all shore bound fishing. I will be posting letters to both my Senator and My Congressmen. I will be reminding them that our right to fish for whatever we want from shore is protected by the state constistution. I will also be reminding them that no governing body has the authority to deny us those rights. The problem is one letter will be ignored. 5000 letters would make a diffrence. thats where everyone else comes in. Everyone needs to take 20 min. out of their day and do the same. It's the only way to make them listen because votes are all they understand.

[Local66]

I feel for you guys. This is one of those things that should have been taken care of "in house" over the past few years. Depending on how the media decides to spin it, you guys might be screwed. You guys can write all the letters you want, this is something you guys should have addressed before you earned the reputation you have today. Writing letters to legislators is all well and good, but they have a job to do, and it's making people happy. When .01% of the people enjoy shark fishing, and 50% of the people think "we're waiting for an accident to happen". Guess which way the votes are gonna go.

[crashmister]

I feel for you guys. This is one of those things that should have been taken care of "in house" over the past few years. Depending on how the media decides to spin it, you guys might be screwed. You guys can write all the letters you want, this is something you guys should have addressed before you earned the reputation you have today. Writing letters to legislators is all well and good, but they have a job to do, and it's making people happy. When .01% of the people enjoy shark fishing, and 50% of the people think "we're waiting for an accident to happen". Guess which way the votes are gonna go.

Local; That is not the problem. The shark fishing community has been doing it cleaner and better for years. Pretty much every major Shark tourney has gone to a catch and release format. Most recently they have incorporated tagging in their tourney's. These so called enviromentilests are the ones spining this the most. Do you think it was a concidence that the so called researchers showd up with video cameras? And immediately blamed Shark fishermen for having left a carcas on the beach. It didn't wash up until 3:00 the next day 15 hours After it was caught and released. The drama was Jerry springer all the way meaning MADE UP BY THEM. The researchers cut the Shark up not the fishermen. However some of the evo. websites are blaming the fishermen for cutting up the sharks and leaving them. My point here is letters to polititions with the facts most cretainly do help. The fact is there were around 50 sharks caught and released in the tourney being blamed for this. So far as we know that 2 of those died after attempts to revive were unsucessfull. The Hammer that this is all about was NOT caught by a team in that tourney. Last year there were over 140 Sharks caught and one died. Everyone needs to be made aware that the overwhelming majority of Shark fishermen have been practicing catch and release for years noe of their own fruitition as there is no law that says they have to. THAT is what our represenitives need to be made aware of. What everyone needs to under stand is this an attack on shorebound fishing in general. The origonal proposal in DelRay was an outright ban on All fishing from DelRay beach. The logic was even small tackel can catch smaller Sharks. Due to letters and our showing at DelRay it was changed to what it is now. So believe me when I tell you letters to your represeniteves do work! (Sorry about the spelling I dont have time to check it)

[Local66]

Crash, legislators don't care about facts, they care about votes. It doesn't matter if a chapter of the ELF caught, slaughtered, and photographed that shark for the sole purpose of making you guys look bad. Do you think documenting the successful release of a 13' tiger would help your cause? I don't think it would. The general public just doesn't want to see it, regardless of how well the fish are treated. I just don't see a way for you guys to fight this, especially when nobody's willing to step up to the plate and take any kind of responsibility for what's been going on.

[BoatlessFisherman]

especially when nobody's willing to step up to the plate and take any kind of responsibility for what's been going on.

This is important and I agree and some have heard how I feel.

[crashmister]

Crash, legislators don't care about facts, they care about votes. It doesn't matter if a chapter of the ELF caught, slaughtered, and photographed that shark for the sole purpose of making you guys look bad. Do you think documenting the successful release of a 13' tiger would help your cause? I don't think it would. The general public just doesn't want to see it, regardless of how well the fish are treated. I just don't see a way for you guys to fight this, especially when nobody's willing to step up to the plate and take any kind of responsibility for what's been going on.

Dude I don't Shark fish. Never have. I simply have no intention of allowing the evo. movement to deny my right to fish. Your in this boat whether you know it or not. Do you think your exempt from the fallout of this bs? Your not. You stand to loose as much as the rest of us with respect to being baned from fishing spots because someone says something to the right people. It certainly does matter what the public see's and is told. Yes releasing a 13 foot Tiger with a research tag would help a great deal. Provided that the public was made aware of the fact that recreational fishermen in the last 3 years have tagged more sharks than all the researchers combined in the history of Shark research. These people want grant money and the Sharkers are threatening that. There's no need for a tagging grant if the tagging is taking place for free. As far as letters are concerned heres what they do. And by the way the Evo's know this play book chapter and verse. This is from a water shed website but all the Evo's websites have a subtitle on this.

Why Should I Start a Letter Writing Campaign?
Some believe that letter writing is a meaningless, feel-good exercise – that decision-makers do as they please or as paid lobbyists suggest. The reality is that well-timed, informed, and clearly written letters can have an affect on political decisions. This is especially true in the lower echelons of government –-at the state and local level. Many elected officials keep track of constituents' support for issues and letters have a cumulative impact. Elected officials understand that there are fewer letter writers than voters, but they also understand that those that do write are more likely to vote.

Another reason to engage in letter writing campaigns are that they are relatively simple to organize –- a campaign can be organized by one knowledgeable person in one day! Letter writing is also a great way to inform the public on issues, to get them to take action, and to help them feel involved –- this is especially important with citizens that cannot participate in physical restoration events but still want to be involved. Finally, letter writing can boost your group’s visibility –- both with the letter writers and those receiving the letters. If your elected official sees that your group is vocal and persistent, s/he will want to to listen to your perspective and perhaps even provide aid to your efforts.



Developing Your Goals and Budget
In addition to the reasons mentioned above, a good reason to use a letter writing campaign is that they can be a low cost method to accomplish your goals. Putting together a letter writing campaign is a relatively inexpensive proposition, however the costs associated with them can vary. Your goals for your campaign will in part determine the costs.

Goals
Your goals should determine who you target and how much effort you will need to expend. For example, it may only take twenty to thirty letters to influence a local elected official, however to impact your representative in the national senate it may require hundreds of letters. Decide on the number of letters you want and plan on asking at least 30 to 100 times that many people in order to get the desired volume of letters, especially if you expect them to write their own letters rather than simply signing a pre-written one provided by you. Some example goals for a letter campaign might be:

Raising awareness in elected officials and the public on a specific threat to your watershed;
Fighting for or against a specific piece of legislation;
Developing a network of letter writers that will campaign officials about current issues when the need arises;
Encouraging the media to cover issues of importance to your watershed
Budget


Cost
The cost associated with starting a letter writing campaign can be as low as the price of printer ink and computer paper (or even less if you want to use email), however there are many optional costs depending on the type of campaign you want to put together and if you are developing a long-term network of letter writers.
Some example costs include:

Paper: $4.00-$40.00 per ream depending on the quality of paper;
Printing: Three cents to a dollar a page depending on if you are printing or copying it yourself or having it done professionally and depending on the number of colors used in the letter;
The current cost of stamps times the number of letters you intend to send. You can also send letters together in one mailing to cut costs, however it is generally believed to be more effective if they are mailed separately;
Internet access and web site hosting: A letter writing campaign run by email and automated letters can be sent from your web site if someone in your group has web expertise. If you want to have a professional set up your web site to send automated letters it will cost a few hundred dollars and perhaps some additional hosting costs.

[fixed80]

Dude I don't Shark fish. Never have. I simply have no intention of allowing the evo. movement to deny my right to fish. Your in this boat whether you know it or not. Do you think your exempt from the fallout of this bs? Your not. You stand to loose as much as the rest of us with respect to being baned from fishing spots because someone says something to the right people.

i dont think hes in this boat. how could he be if hes got the best place in the world that would never have a fish ban.... Sebastian inlet and second the B.R.

but i know im in this boat cuz im willin to travel anywhere within a 130 miles just to seek different locations like i did last Thursday.
so its gonna effect me to(dmit).

[crashmister]

Fixed; My point is if we do nothing they (the Evo's ) are influencing all the decisions. When developers and home owners associations see that. Now they have a way to close fishing in other spot's Obviously it won't be everywhere. Just the area's where there is little or no opposition to the idea. Everyone needs to understand that a great deal of this can be abused by devlopers who want beaches cleared of fishermen to make property more attractive to perspective buyers. Others are condo owners who just dont want fishermen on their beaches. There are a half dozen agendas looking to ban beach fishing in certain area's. They will use any means they can muster. Research has a 3 % mortality rate amoung large Sharks While recreational catch and release Shark fishing has less that 1 %. The public and law makers don't know this. So it's up to us to tell them. It's simple if you don't want to write a letter don't. If and when you loose a great spot because of a ban, Don't bother b1t@hing about it because you had your chance. By the way that's not directed at you or anyone. it's a general statment meant for everyone to consider. I watched Shark safe scare the DelRay city commission into doing what they did. So did everyone that was there. All with lie's and misinformation. That is a fact. Ask anyone who was there. If everything in this country got baned because of the actions a very few irresponsible people we would never be able to leave our homes. The people who caught the shark in question did everything they could to ensure that Sharks survival. Including not measuring it. That was a world class fish. Instead they got back out as fast as possible. Not the actions of the (Angel killing trophy hunters) they are being portrayed as. They are blaming the tourney for this even though they have no idea who caught the fish. Nor do they have anyway of knowing. I think I should also mention that While unfortunate it's a drop in the bucket compaired to the gulf situation.

[fixed80]

well put. i would hate to lose more spots due to the rise & demand of housing. lets go to HA.

[Local66]

Crash, legislators don't care about facts, they care about votes. It doesn't matter if a chapter of the ELF caught, slaughtered, and photographed that shark for the sole purpose of making you guys look bad. Do you think documenting the successful release of a 13' tiger would help your cause? I don't think it would. The general public just doesn't want to see it, regardless of how well the fish are treated. I just don't see a way for you guys to fight this, especially when nobody's willing to step up to the plate and take any kind of responsibility for what's been going on.

Dude I don't Shark fish. Never have. I simply have no intention of allowing the evo. movement to deny my right to fish. Your in this boat whether you know it or not. Do you think your exempt from the fallout of this bs? Your not. You stand to loose as much as the rest of us with respect to being baned from fishing spots because someone says something to the right people. It certainly does matter what the public see's and is told. Yes releasing a 13 foot Tiger with a research tag would help a great deal. Provided that the public was made aware of the fact that recreational fishermen in the last 3 years have tagged more sharks than all the researchers combined in the history of Shark research. These people want grant money and the Sharkers are threatening that. There's no need for a tagging grant if the tagging is taking place for free. As far as letters are concerned heres what they do. And by the way the Evo's know this play book chapter and verse. This is from a water shed website but all the Evo's websites have a subtitle on this.

"Dude", if you think I'm against you on this, you need to go back and read my post (or get somebody to read it to you). As far as not being in this boat, take a wild guess why I can't fish the beaches of Brevard county at night. It wasn't snook fishermen leaving carcasses on the sand, or leaving beer cans all over the beach. You guys need to keep your fellow sharkers in check if you want to keep your fishery, it will do far more good than a few letters.

[bolo]

You can do everything right when shark fishing and still have a shark wash up to shore dead. People will not be happy having a rotting carcuass on their beach. Especially if the shark had dead pups in her. I don't blame them for being outrage. You want 100% gauarntee no dead shark then ban all shark fishing period. Regardless from land or boat.

[Local66]

You can do everything right when shark fishing and still have a shark wash up to shore dead. People will not be happy having a rotting carcuass on their beach. Especially if the shark had dead pups in her. I don't blame them for being outrage. You want 100% gauarntee no dead shark then ban all shark fishing period. Regardless from land or boat.

Just do it under the radar. All too often I've seen sharkers set up on populated beaches. About the only way I can think of to shut people up would be if they didn't have to see it, out of sight, out of mind. That would also mean no more dragging 500lb fish up on the sand for hero shots.

[bolo]

You can do everything right when shark fishing and still have a shark wash up to shore dead. People will not be happy having a rotting carcuass on their beach. Especially if the shark had dead pups in her. I don't blame them for being outrage. You want 100% gauarntee no dead shark then ban all shark fishing period. Regardless from land or boat.

Just do it under the radar. All too often I've seen sharkers set up on populated beaches. About the only way I can think of to shut people up would be if they didn't have to see it, out of sight, out of mind. That would also mean no more dragging 500lb fish up on the sand for hero shots.

I agree what you said but if there is a dead shark on the beach with hooks marks on them they will point the finger at shark fishermen. Regardless if you fish like a ninja. Beside most shark fisherman like to brag what they had caught so the trophy shot is out of the question. I know of a few responsible shark fishermen but majority of them could careless if the shark survives or not.

[crashmister]

Local; What part of "(I dont Shark fish never have)" didn't you understand? Question; Did you go to a C/C meeting to oppose the night time fishing closer in Brevard? Did you make your feelings known to any of your represenatives? Considering your user name I would think you of all people would understand the concept of "United we bargain divided we beg". At this point our represenitves have no choice but to listen to the Evo's, Their the only ones talking. Yes there some very unscrupulous Shark fishermen. I could not agree more. However I don't personally know any. And the entire Sharking community should not be persicuted for the actions of a few. Should we as fishermen be dumped in with the likes of that clown on facebook who poaches Monster snook out of slot and out of season? absloutley not. But that is exactly what they are trying to do in the case of beach Shark fishing. All I can say is if you don't think it's worth while to contact your represenatives, Don't. Just dont B1t@h about the outcome.

[BoatlessFisherman]

BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
C O M M I S S I O N A G E N D A

TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2010 - 9:00 A.M.

County Commission Chamber
Indian River County Administration Complex
1801 27th Street, Building A
Vero Beach, Florida, 32960-3388

5. PROCLAMATIONS and PRESENTATIONS PAGE
C. Presentation of Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of
Recognition for Budget Preparation to Office of Management and Budget,
Indian River County, Florida 3-4
D. Update from Director of Emergency Services, John King, Regarding the Oil
Spill in the Gulf of Mexico ---
F. Presentation by Richard Grant Gilmore, Jr., PhD, President, Senior Scientist,
Estuarine, Coastal and Ocean Science, Inc., Regarding Shark Baiting and
Chumming off County Beaches

Commission Agenda is Here if you would like to see all
http://www.ircgov.com/Boards/BCC/2010/a ... 1110AP.pdf

[Bi0tic]

Research has a 3 % mortality rate amoung large Sharks While recreational catch and release Shark fishing has less that 1 %.

Do you have a reference for this?

[crashmister]

Research has a 3 % mortality rate amoung large Sharks While recreational catch and release Shark fishing has less that 1 %.

Do you have a reference for this?

BiO; It's from an article I found on either NOAA or Mote's website. I found it last year but didn't save it. I was doing research for the Delray CC meeting. The less than 1% is from the same article A large part of that 3% is due to the Sharks killed for Necropsy's and tissue samples. To be very clear here I'm not saying research is doing anything wrong at all. Both NOAA and Mote Marine Institute support C&R Shark fishing. Both have cooperative taging programs that have been and are a huge success. What I am saying is the groups that are opposing beach sharking are a bunch of self appointed hall monitors. They know where the problems are everyone does. The problem is they don't have the stones to do anything about it or they just don't care. The undeniable fact is if you end land based C&R Shark fishing tomorrow And leave long lining alone you do nothing to help save Sharks. However you leave C&R alone and end long lining and Sharks will recover fairly quickly. Instead these people are on a fools crusade fighting wind mills. This is what they should be trying to end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMYtuMgw ... re=related

No soup is worth that

[Bi0tic]

Thanks for the info. I will check out NOAA and Mote for the article.

[TeEnAnGlerPro213]

crashmister, that vid you posted is just horrible. i saw half of it and immediately closed the browser, i dont even want to finish that video. I still hope they understand our part of the arguement.

[Bi0tic]

BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
C O M M I S S I O N A G E N D A

TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2010 - 9:00 A.M.

County Commission Chamber
Indian River County Administration Complex
1801 27th Street, Building A
Vero Beach, Florida, 32960-3388

5. PROCLAMATIONS and PRESENTATIONS PAGE
C. Presentation of Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of
Recognition for Budget Preparation to Office of Management and Budget,
Indian River County, Florida 3-4
D. Update from Director of Emergency Services, John King, Regarding the Oil
Spill in the Gulf of Mexico ---
F. Presentation by Richard Grant Gilmore, Jr., PhD, President, Senior Scientist,
Estuarine, Coastal and Ocean Science, Inc., Regarding Shark Baiting and
Chumming off County Beaches

Commission Agenda is Here if you would like to see all
http://www.ircgov.com/Boards/BCC/2010/a ... 1110AP.pdf

You will be happy to know that the meeting in IRC went well for sharkers (for now) as the commission did not support any regulations for fishing in the county. They did, however, side Dr. Gilmore on that there is not enough info to make a decision and that more research would be needed. In fact, 6 of the 7 commissioners were against doing anything, some were more neutral and some even went as far as to say that Delray's (quick) decision was absurd. Most also said that most sharkers are responsible and there are only a few that are causing problems and it would be "unjust to punish 99.9% of good sportsman."

Nice to see some level-headed politicians.

[crashmister]

BiO; That's great news! I agree common sense governance. Who da thought.
Thanks for the update BiO.

[BoatlessFisherman]

Here is an article that was done about 2 weeks ago and came out Friday, before I was aware of other things, its funny how they mention what they want, he clearly left out Catch and release.

Indian River County commissioner pushing for ban on 'shark chumming' near public beaches | Poll


Indian River Shores resident Lenora Mustapick can still recall July 4, 2008, when she took her family for fun at the beach and found fear instead as anglers reeled in and landed an 8-foot tiger shark.

“It was a shock. What would an 8-foot shark be doing inside the reef at low tide?” Mustapick said. “Yes, I’m concerned. To me, they’re feeding sharks in a populated area where kids and families are swimming.”

County Commissioner Joe Flescher said that’s why he would like to see some kind of ordinance barring people from using chum, or fish parts, to lure sharks into guarded beach areas.

“This is a serious safety issue that affects the bathing community,” Flescher said.

He has been reviewing an ordinance passed in July in Delray Beach, which bans shark fishing and chumming within 300 feet of that city’s public beach. So far, however, Flescher’s colleagues haven’t called for an ordinance.

Vero Beach biologist Grant Gilmore, a noted shark expert formerly with Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, is scheduled to discuss sharks and shark-fishing when the commission meets in regular session at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Worse than catching a shark, Mustapick said, was learning the anglers were using chum to lure them from beyond the worm reefs.

Mustapick took pictures that show a shark being landed, and the anglers measuring it — as a crowd gathered to watch — and releasing it back into the surf.

Doug Distl, community manager at the Carlton condominiums, said he also has been upset about the shark fishing and used Mustapick’s photos on April 20 to make his point to the County Commission.

“When people come here in June and they bring their grandchildren to the beach, the last thing they want to see are sharks where people are swimming,” he said later. “We’ve seen the chumming. We’ve also seen them take big hunks of red meat, and head off in a kayak or canoe past the reef and drop their bait.”

Lam Nguyen was surprised to hear about Mustapick’s and Distl’s observations. The Vero Beach angler regularly fishes for sharks from Indian River County beaches.

He said no one he knows uses chum from the beach.

Furthermore, he said no red meat is used, only large fish parts like dead bonito, jacks or kingfish. Those baits are then paddled out 300 to 375 yards from shore, well off the beach from the swimming zone.

“It’s a waste of time and effort,” said Nguyen, who landed and released a beach-caught 11-foot tiger shark last June near Vero Beach. “You catch stingrays, crabs and fish you are not trying to attract.”

Nguyen said the county’s ordinance against the use of chum would not receive much opposition. However, he believes beaches should not be closed to shark fishing.

“These sharks are part of natural migrations that take place every year along our beaches,” he said. “I feel bad when you hear about shark bites, but in most cases those people are swimming in or near schools of bait fish. A shark can’t tell the swimmer apart from the bait.”

Gilmore said the public would be surprised to know how many big sharks swim relatively close to shore.

“A survey of shark fishing along five miles of beach here in the mid-1970s indicated a catch of 271 sharks of 17 species in a 2-year span,” he said. “Sharks use the Gulf Stream like I-95.”

Gilmore said he would not support chumming with shark fishing from the beach and suggests using large baits also encourages more shark activity. But large tiger sharks, he noted, are already just beyond the reef line in the summer waiting to feed upon their favorite food source: sea turtles coming ashore during nesting season.

No concerns about shark fishing or the use of chum from beaches have been raised in Martin or St. Lucie counties, officials said.

Acting Martin County Administrator Taryn Kryzda said if Martin residents had concerns, they would have arisen following the Feb. 3 fatal shark attack on Stuart kite-boarder Stephen Schafer. But that attack, a quarter-mile off Stuart Beach, has not been connected to shark-fishing.

St. Lucie County government spokesman Erick Gill hasn’t heard of shark-fishing concerns in his county.

But most people are largely unaware of shark-fishing even where it occurs, Flescher said, because it mainly takes place in the summer and at night.

Distl said he contacted Flescher after trying to get other agencies to crack down on shark fishing on local beaches. Distl approached some anglers last summer and found they were not from the Treasure Coast, but rather from places like Fort Myers or Tampa, and were competing in a tournament organized on http://www.BoatlessFishing.org. The 2010 Shorebound Shark Tournament will run for its fourth year July 1 through Aug. 9.

“We don’t even chum,” said Tournament director Thomas Argue of Fort Lauderdale. “It’s a worthless venture to do that, because the currents would take the chum along the beach south to north instead of out (to deeper water).”

Argue defended shorebound fishing as being more of a sport, requiring more skills, than using a boat to follow a shark and land it. But it shouldn’t be done on guarded swimming beaches, he said.

“We don’t endorse fishing — for anything — where people are swimming,” he said. “That’s just stupid.”

Argue said he wouldn’t oppose a law against chumming on public beaches. But Commissioner Wesley Davis, who said he caught sharks out of Sebastian Inlet as a youth, said he had trouble with the “slippery slope” such a law would pose. He said common sense, not a law, should tell people not to fish where people are swimming or vice versa.

“Some people chum while they’re fishing for snapper,” Davis said. “I can just see Code Enforcement officers having to keep track of this. ‘That chum is too big. It’s shark chum, not snapper chum.’”

[Jordan]

Good points you made in there Tommy.

For these people, it's all about propoganda. Words like "chumming", and "hunks of red meat", such bs.

[crashmister]

My personnel fav is the part about DelRay's quick decision being Absurd.

[Team rebel]

My personnel fav is the part about DelRay's quick decision being Absurd.

Its a great day for sharkers, as the hallowed, and legendary shark grounds of Sebastian remain open. Glad you could go Bio. I know I was going to go but I couldn't work out gettin off work in time and making the 2 hour drive there. Thanks again. I will be making a post about this in my site as well