(A) Except as provided in this chapter, the size, catch, bag, and possession limits, fishing period closures, and requirements pertaining to the taking, release, landing, sale, purchase, trade, or barter of sharks or shark parts prescribed by those federal regulations implemented under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act (PL 94-265) and pertaining to the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic tuna, swordfish, and sharks are declared to be the law of this State and apply in state waters; provided, however, no federal recreational angling permit or federal charter boat/head boat permit is required for the taking or possession of sharks in the waters of this State. In state waters size, catch, bag, and possession limits pertain to individual fishermen when no vessel is utilized.
(B) An annual permit must be obtained from the department for a boat or vessel before it takes sharks for commercial purposes in state waters. Permits granted under this section do not include income requirements but may include requirements for fishing times, periods, areas, gear, and equipment, catch limitations and reporting, and other conditions the department may determine to be necessary for management or regulatory purposes. In addition to department conditions, the use of gill nets to harvest sharks is prohibited in state waters at all times, and when taken by gill net, all sharks must be released immediately.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 14; 2002 Act No. 342, Section 46; 2003 Act No. 7, Section 2.