Martin County is revising its fishing regulations to comply with state law, a change that removes county authority over most saltwater fishing regulations and has prompted concerns from residents and county commissioners about shark fishing near public beaches.
Senior Assistant County Attorney Melissa Lynn Pietrzyk told county commissioners that recent state law changes leave the county with limited authority over saltwater fishing regulations.
“There is a state statute that has essentially preempted the powers from the county to regulate saltwater fishing. That includes shark fishing. Preemption meaning the state says, county, you can’t control this anymore. The state has to control it,” she said…