Controversial Marco Island proposal could ban fishing during turtle season

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. (WINK)—A controversial proposal could ban beach fishing at night during sea turtle season.

City Council advanced a measure that would prohibit beach fishing from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. during sea turtle nesting season. The proposal passed its first reading with a 4-2 vote.

Marco Island Chairman Darren Palumbo said the proposal stems from increased activity on the beaches.

"What really did this is the popularity of people gathering to do it on the beach and doing it on a regular nightly basis in greater numbers than we've ever seen before," Palumbo said.

Shark fisherman Paul Miller, with Florida Jaws, said nighttime fishing helps avoid crowded beaches.

"We can do it during the day. But the thing is, when there's 200 people on the beach and there's kids swimming, you know, I don't want to be that guy, and nobody else wants to be that guy," Miller said.

The proposal faces a potential legal challenge. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sent a letter to City Council stating the ordinance may be invalid and unenforceable.

Council Member Bonita Schwan is leading the proposal, saying the goal is to protect sea turtles during nesting season. When asked if she would amend the proposal to remove the six-month fishing ban, Schwan declined.

Palumbo said the proposal needs more consideration before moving forward.

"I understood it was born from good intentions. However, I think we need to slow it down and take a deeper look and provide more data as we try to connect sea turtle environmental safety, with the given rights of these anglers to do their activity as they like," Palumbo said.

One neighbor questioned whether the proposal is truly about protecting sea turtles or limiting beach access.

"It's about the crowds that gather on the beach. And when I say crowds that gather on the beach, it's about the families, the friends, the neighbors, the community, the children all coming together and enjoying something that nobody really gets to see on an average day," the neighbor said.

The final vote is scheduled for May 4, when Council will decide whether the proposal becomes law.