State may ban catch of tiger sharks, hammerheads

State may ban catch of tiger sharks, hammerheads - Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/blogs/ ... 1244.story

The state may ban the catch of tiger sharks and hammerheads in Florida waters, in the latest of a series of rules aimed at protecting the ocean's top predators.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plans a series of public workshops around the state to gather comments on a proposal to add these species to the prohibited list.

Sharks have undergone a severe worldwide decline over the past 20 years to serve the demand in China and other East Asian countries for shark fin soup. South Florida has emerged as a center of the shark-protection movement, particularly around the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

The commission is also considering a limit on chumming when fishing for sharks from shore. And it is considering a proposal to require circle hooks rather than j-hooks for catch-and-release fishing to cause less harm to the shark.

For more information, go to http://www.myfwc.com/rules and selection "Fishing - Saltwater Regulations." The workshops are from 6 to 8 p.m. The South Florida workshops are as follows:
June 21

IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum

300 Gulf Stream Way

Dania Beach

June 22

Harvey Government Center

1200 Truman Ave.

Key West