The Governor of Florida has signed into law Bill SB 860 aka the Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act, which makes it illegal to import, export and sell most shark fins in Florida from October 1. There is a loophole however that allows existing holders of shark fishing permits and seafood dealers that h0ld a “valid federal Atlantic shark dealer permit” to continue to engage in the import and export of fin through into January 2025.
Legislation has now been tabled in the Florida State Legislature that will end the trade in the fins of sharks or rays. If passed, the ban will include both the fins of animals caught within the state’s waters and fins imported via its ports. Bills have been filed in the Senate (352) and House (99) but they need public support to move forward and be voted into law.
Florida has declared a state of emergency due to the bloom of toxic red algae that has killed numerous animals and has affected tourism. Governor Scott promised $1.5 million in funds to help seven counties that stretches from Tampa to the Everglades. Animals killed and washed ashore have included fish, turtles, eels, porpoises, manatees, and one 26-foot whale shark. Difficulty breathing by humans is another little known symptom of red tides, due to blooms of Karenia brevis.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced that they are revising the regulations governing land based shark angling in the state. The goal is to restrict “cruel and unnecessary” handling practices that causes fatalities among protected shark species even when they are released. There is a series on public workshops about the issue and comments can also be submitted online.
FStoppers has published an article by photographer Jennifer Tallerico with tips on shooting models underwater in the springs of Florida. Tallerico is a Florida based photographer that runs underwater photography workshops. The article focuses on the challenges of shooting outside of a controlled pool environment and the challenges faced such as restrictions of free diving of any kind in the springs as well as light. Tallerico supplemented the ambient light by using a Light & Motion Stella Pro Light out of the water.
Florida state wildlife commission voted Wednesday to impose restrictions on shore based shark fishing. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which met in Fort Lauderdale, voted unanimously to create much stricter rules for shore based shark fishing. The exact rules will be drawn up at a later date, but may include licenses for shore based shark fishing as well as restrictions on gear that may be used for fishing.
Drone footage shot off Palm Beach, Florida by photographer Ivy Yin of Our Children’s Earth Foundation shows footage of a potentially new species of manta ray. Yin sent the footage to Dr. Andrea Marshall, co-founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, and a scientist who studies manta rays off the Florida coast. Not only does she believe this to be a new species of manta ray, but also that the coast of Florida around Palm Beach could serve as a nursery for this species.
Florida may be on track to have the highest year of recorded manatee deaths on record. The number collected up to March 2nd is at 166, with 51 of those due to cold, while the remaining are due to red tide and boat collisions. Manatee deaths in the state are progressively on the rise up from 472 in 2016 to 538 in 2017. While it is true that manatee populations are on the rise, they face rising threats posed by ever increasing human populations in the state.
A memorial dedicated to United States veterans is set to be constructed underwater off the coast of Tampa, Florida. The memorial will be called the Circle of Heroes and will consist of 24 concrete life-size figures that weigh 1300 pounds each. Organizers hope the 40-foot deep memorial will become a dive destination and bring in revenue to the area. Half the figures are set to be placed by the end of this summer.
Earth Touch News has released a video filmed by diver John Dickinson. The remarkable thing about Dickinson’s video is that is shows the ten sawfish he came across in two different locations of Florida’s Jupiter inlet. The sawfish are a critically endangered shark, and to see that number of them in the span of two locations in quite remarkable.