Girl bitten by shark asks FWC to 'make beaches safe for kids like me'

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission addressed a number of issues important to anglers and outdoorsmen and women Wednesday on the first of two days of meetings in Fort Lauderdale.

Soon, anglers who enjoy reeling in trophy shark catches from Florida beaches may find new regulations that may include reduced access to fishing areas, potential license requirements or even training programs similar to the state's hunter training.

In the morning session, shore-based shark fishing received the majority of the attention and the seven-member commission voted unanimously to direct FWC staff to begin working on regulations to address concerns brought forth by more than a dozen speakers.

More: A hammerhead shark death could spark change

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. Speakers decried the practice of some anglers who target large coastal sharks like hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks and bull sharks. Beachgoer safety and safety of large sharks, which sometimes die after after being reeled in by shore-based anglers, immediately became the primary talking points on an agenda item billed as "all things sharks."

Melbourne Beach Mayor Jim Simmons addressed the commission to relate a problem he has experienced in his municipality.

"It's common sense," he said. "Responsible shark fishers know not to fish among swimmers. The problem is with an irresponsible minority who refuse to respect the right of others to use our beaches safely."

"I have lived, fished, surfed and swam on Florida's beaches my entire life, and I know sharks are always near shore, and there is always a risk of an incidental shark bite," Simmons said. "But shark fishing and blood baiting are designed to attract sharks to a specific area, and to induce feeding activity in the low-visibility surf zone, which is obviously incompatible with safe swimming."

Jessica Veatch, of Port St. Lucie, lived through a parent's horror last summer when her daughter Violet, now 4, was bitten by a shark in August at Bathtub Beach in Martin County. She was the fourth speaker to address the commission and gave a tearful description of the trauma her family experienced after Violet's leg was grabbed by what was probably a shark.

More: Child bitten by shark at Martin County's Bathtub Beach

Veatch said she believed it was fishing activity and active spearfishing taking place at the guarded beach that day which led to the incident.

"International Shark Attack File director George Burgess identified Violet's bite as a provoked attack because of the fishing," Veatch said. "I would like to see separation of fishing and swimming areas. Fishing at a public beach is dangerous."

"Please make the beach safer for other kids like me," Violet added.

Port Salerno commercial fisherman Steve English commended the FWC for saving sharks. However, he said that has created an unintended consequence impacting commercial fishermen working in Spanish mackerel or king mackerel, or cobia, fisheries. Sharks are taking too many hooked fish, and English said cast netters working the reef off Martin County are losing 8-10 cast nets each day.

Honors

FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton recognized a group of youth anglers from Boca Raton who began a nonprofit 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, Patterson and his colleagues determined four sea turtle nests on Hutchinson Island near Blind Creek Beach were disturbed. 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.

Everglades

The afternoon session included an extensive presentation on Everglades restoration via a panel discussion including Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Col. Jennifer Reynolds, South Florida Water Management executive director Ernie Marks, FWC director of freshwater fisheries management Tom Champeau, FWC Everglades coordinator James Erskine and Gil McRae, FWC director of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.

Former FWC commissioner "Alligator" Ron Bergeron addressed the commission to discuss the efforts underway to help water flow through the Everglades system, which ultimately would mean less water would have to flow into the coastal estuaries heading to the Caloosahatchee River and St. Lucie River.

More: Everglades advocates come to Washington hoping funding promise kept

A lengthy discussion took place regarding injurious wildlife and its importation into Florida. Staff recommended an executive order to temporarily ban the importation of injurious wildlife — like Nile monitor lizards, tegu lizards, salamanders, some frogs and more. Many speakers from the exotic animal trade objected to the need for an executive order.

Also, Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith and Broward County Commissioner Beam Furr requested the FWC partner with Florida counties to work fast to help save the dying coral reef tract extending from Martin to Monroe counties. The FWC agreed to do whatever is necessary to help efforts.

Thursday's agenda items are highlighted by what is expected to be a well-attended, emotional and controversial session discussing a potential opening of goliath grouper to limited harvest in Florida waters for the first time since 1990. One staff recommendation which may or may not receive approval from the commission is to allow for the purchase of about 400 tags at a price anticipated of about $300 each. Some anglers like Treasure Coast based charter boat captain Michael Murray of Mattanza charters out of Pirates Cove Resort and Marina said he'd buy several at that price for anglers who wanted to catch and keep a goliath grouper.

Also, final approval to regulation changes for tripletail — increasing the size for harvest from 15 inches to 18 inches — and sheepshead — reducing bag limit from 15 per person per day to 10 per person per day — are expected.

Stay up on the latest news by following Ed Killer on Twitter at @tcpalmekiller and the hashtag #FWC2018.

FWC meeting

When: Wednesday-Thursday

Where: Marriott Fort Lauderdale North, 6650 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale

Time: Meetings begin at 8:30 a.m. each day

Main agenda items: Final public hearing on changes to fishing regulations for tripletail and sheepshead; Goliath grouper hearing results report; Injurious wildlife species entering Florida report; Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades system overview; Sharks staff report and Gulf red snapper finalization of state rules.

Full agenda and information to submit public comment if not in attendance: http://myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/2018/april/25/agenda/