Marco Island withdraws beach restriction proposal for sea turtle nesting season

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. (WINK)—Marco Island City Council has withdrawn a proposal that would have restricted overnight beach fishing during sea turtle nesting season.

The decision came after months of debate and hours of discussion at a council meeting. The proposal would have banned beach fishing from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. during sea turtle nesting season.

Earlier in the meeting, Council Member Bonita Schwan removed a portion that would have required permits for groups of 10 or more, narrowing the focus to fishing restrictions. After lengthy debate, no one moved the ordinance forward and it died without a final vote.

Council Chair Darrin Palumbo withdrew the motion.

"I think, just like cooler heads prevailed, I think that the council did a great job of just listening to the room and listening to all the feedback that came back, and the Constitution today wins," fisherman David Boggs said.

Not everyone agrees with the outcome. Some who spoke at the meeting say the city missed a chance to better protect wildlife.

"What we saw tonight is the state government interfere to shut down a local community's attempt to protect its wildlife," marine biologist Spencer Roberts said. "But our work has just begun. We will continue fighting illegal shark fishing wherever it rears its head, and we will expose FWC failure to protect Florida Wildlife under its responsibility under the law."

For now, fishermen can continue as normal with no restrictions in place.