Enforce Shore-Based Shark Fishing Laws — Protect Sharks & Our Oceans

Shore-based shark fishing in Florida has exploded—growing more than 5× in the last decade. But enforcement of shore-based shark fishing laws has not kept pace.

Most of this activity happens at night, when beaches are empty.

By sunrise, the anglers are gone—

and so is the evidence.

Across Florida—especially in South Florida—illegal shore-based shark fishing practices continues with little to no enforcement:

• Critically endangered and prohibited sharks being caught
• Sharks not being released immediately as required by law
• Illegal handling practices causing their death
• Activities deliberately taking place overnight to avoid detection

This is not accidental.

It is a pattern of illegal behavior happening in the dark.

Under Florida shore-based shark fishing laws:

• Prohibited shark species (including great hammerheads) may not be possessed
• If caught, they must be released immediately, without delay, in a manner that maximizes survival
• It is illegal to land, drag onto shore to take their picture or remove fins from any shark

RelevantRules:

• Florida Administrative Code 68B-44.008
• Florida Administrative Code 68B-44.009
• Florida Statute 379.2426

These laws exist to prevent stress-related mortality and illegal killing.

Failing to immediately release a prohibited shark = violation of Florida law (FAC 68B-44.009)

Removing shark fins = illegal (FS 379.2426)

At Juno Beach, a critically endangered great hammerhead was found dead with its dorsal fin and tail removed.

• Approximately 12 feet long
• Discovered the morning after nighttime activity
• Documented and under investigation with rewards offered

This Incident Violated Multiple Shore-Based Shark Fishing Laws:

1. Failure to Release Immediately. Required by law. Not followed.
2. Illegal Possession of a Prohibited Species. A critically endangered shark was captured and handled.
3. Illegal Shark Finning
   Fins were intentionally removed.

This was not an accident.

This was illegal—and preventable.

Great hammerhead sharks are among the most fragile shark species.

When caught from shore:

• They are fought for extended periods
• They experience extreme
• actic acid buildup Even if released, many die shortly after
  This is exactly why shore-based shark fishing laws require immediate release.

Ignoring that requirement leads directly to dead critically endangered sharks.

Those familiar with these beaches know the pattern:

• Lines set overnight
• Sharks fought to exhaustion
• Illegal handling or delayed release

By morning:

• The anglers are gone
• The evidence is gone
• And sometimes, the sharks return dead

Creating:
An unforeseen and unnecessary danger to beach swimmers the following morning.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) created these shore-based shark fishing laws to prevent exactly this.

Yet:

• Violations continue
• Fines are rarely—if ever—issued
• Nighttime enforcement is minimal

Without enforcement—and without issuing fines—there is no deterrence.

These protections were shaped with input from conservation advocates—including Jim Abernethy, founder of Wildlife VOICE, who helped bring responsible shore-based shark fishing laws into place in Florida.

Those laws were designed to protect critically endangered species.

But illegal shore-based shark fishing continues—and enforcement is falling short.

We are calling on the FWC to take immediate, visible action:

• Increase nighttime enforcement, when illegal shore-based shark fishing occurs
• Issue and increase fines to create real deterrence
• Enforce immediate release laws without exception
• Enforce shark finning laws aggressively
• Publicly report enforcement actions to ensure accountability

This is not about banning fishing.

This is about enforcing shore-based shark fishing laws already in place to protect
critically endangered wildlife from preventable death.

Add your name today and demand real enforcement. Petition Below:

Help Save Sharks and People

Protect critically endangered sharks.
Stop illegal shore-based shark fishing.
Demand enforcement of the law.