Redington Shores to reel in shark-fishing ban

REDINGTON SHORES — This town is the latest to reel in its shark-fishing ban, following similar actions by two other Pinellas County beach communities.

Town commissioners agreed Sept. 9 to revise the ordinance so its restrictions apply only to town-owned property, under an exception in state law, rather than repeal it entirely.

Indian Shores became the first Pinellas County beach community to ban shore-based shark fishing after a dead, pregnant tiger shark washed ashore in 2023. Redington Shores followed with its own ordinance later that year. Several other Pinellas beach communities subsequently adopted similar restrictions, as The Pinellas Current reported last month.

Now, some of those towns are reconsidering their restrictions after learning that state law limits their authority to regulate saltwater fishing.

Town Attorney Nancy Meyer told commissioners they had two choices: repeal the ordinance or limit it to municipal property.

Vice Mayor CJ Hoyt favored keeping whatever authority the town still has.

"There was a lot that went into that," Hoyt said of the original ordinance. "So I think repealing it is not what I would recommend."

Meyer said the ordinance reflected considerable public concern about shark fishing.

"There was a lot of resident input on that topic when it got passed," Meyer said. "So I'm happy to draft that tweak to the language."

"I would definitely prefer that," Mayor Erin Schoos responded.

Meyer will prepare the revised language for the commission's consideration.

Sharks washing ashore

The discussion came amid renewed concern about shark carcasses washing ashore along the barrier islands.

Indian Shores Police Chief Lee Ann Holroyd, whose department also provides law enforcement services to Redington Shores, said police had spoken with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that day following social media posts about sharks found on local beaches.

One shark had washed ashore without its tail, prompting questions about whether it had been illegally harvested.

Holroyd said an FWC biologist concluded that two recent incidents appeared to involve legally harvested sharks. One of the carcasses was actually found in Redington Beach, she said, although both incidents had been reported as occurring in Redington Shores.

"This could have been a shark that was caught offshore on a charter," Holroyd said.

Another possibility involved a resident who reported seeing someone take pieces of a shark out by kayak about a week earlier. The incident was not reported to FWC while it was occurring, she said.

Holroyd said FWC officials explained that fishermen may legally harvest certain sharks under applicable state rules.

"It's not the best perception. However, it is not against the law," she said.

FWC remains interested in identifying the fishermen, Holroyd said, primarily to educate them about what can happen when shark remains are returned to the Gulf and subsequently wash ashore.

She encouraged residents who witness suspected violations to contact law enforcement while the activity is occurring rather than posting about it afterward.

A shrinking ban

Indian Shores repealed its ordinance last month, after its attorney advised that state law preempts local saltwater fishing regulations except on municipal property.

The town does not own the beaches where its restrictions were intended to apply.

Redington Beach took a different approach, narrowing its ordinance to town-owned property. Its Town Commission gave the change final approval last week.

Redington Shores plans to follow Redington Beach's example. Treasure Island and Belleair Shore, meanwhile, have yet to take action on their shark-fishing ordinances.

Holroyd said other Florida municipalities have faced similar questions about their shark-fishing ordinances. Because state law largely reserves regulation of saltwater fishing to Florida, towns cannot impose broader restrictions on their own. Those changes would have to come from the state, she said.

"So you're screwed if you're a parasailer here, but not if you're a shark killer," Hoyt said.