Rule proposed to modify fishing regulations at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park in St. Pete.
Photo of Skyway Fishing Pier State Park from park's website.
At its February 21, 2023 meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) proposed a rule to modify fishing regulations at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, located at 4905 34th St. South #5000 in St. Petersburg Florida.
The FWC Commission also directed staff members to consider other options and refine the proposal before the final hearing a a future meeting. The proposed rule is designed to address ongoing entanglement, injury and mortality of seabirds that continue to occur at this location, reduce angler-seabird interactions, and further seabird conservation while continuing to allow the tradition of fishing to continue.
“We are grateful for the engagement and feedback from our stakeholders who are continuing to work collaboratively with us to address brown pelican entanglements at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park,” said FWC Commissioner Robert A. Spottswood. “It’s our job to balance the interests of both fish and wildlife as well as anglers. We face this all the time. We’ve always limited or closed access, only as a last resort, and we have approved this proposed rule with the understanding that modifications will likely occur at the final hearing.”
Input and engagement from all interested stakeholders are critical to determine a suitable course of action to address this complex issue. The FWC encourages its management partners, along with anglers, pelican rescue organizations and other interested stakeholders to work with the FWC to develop a solution for pelicans and anglers. Options under consideration include education requirements, seasonal gear restrictions, limiting the number of hook and line fishing gear sets, gear restrictions on a portion of the pier, and deterrents.
A final rule hearing for fishing regulations at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park will occur at a future Commission meeting. If approved, the FWC would utilize an adaptive management approach while evaluating the effects of the rule.
For information about the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, visit https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/skyway-fishing-pier-state-park.