Shoreline anglers need to buy license by Aug. 1,2009

Florida's resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore will need to buy a $7.50 (plus   administrative and handling fees) shoreline fishing license by Aug. 1, unless they have a regular resident saltwater fishing license.

The new license applies only to Florida resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore. Resident anglers may prefer to purchase the regular recreational saltwater license that   covers them, no matter where they fish for saltwater species in Florida.

Florida has always required nonresidents to have a license when fishing from shore, and they will still need to purchase a regular nonresident  saltwater fishing license.

The new shoreline saltwater fishing license for residents goes on sale July 15. It provides all of the same exemptions as a regular license, including senior citizens, children,      disabled people who meet certain qualifications, active-duty military personnel while home on leave, and anglers who fish from a licensed pier.

In addition, the shoreline license requirement includes two new exemptions:

·          anglers drawing food stamps, temporary cash assistance or Medicaid; and

·          anglers fishing in their home counties who use cane poles or other gear that does not depend on mechanical       retrieval.

At the request of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Legislature passed the new license requirement to head off a federal license requirement that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2010, and will have a $15-$25 fee beginning in 2011. Florida's new shoreline license exempts this state's anglers from the federal license        requirement.