Marco Island drops fishing restriction proposal after pushback

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. —

A controversial proposal to limit nighttime fishing on Marco Island has been pulled, following pushback from state wildlife officials and a heated debate between residents and anglers.

City leaders had considered restricting overnight fishing during sea turtle nesting season, citing concerns about an increase in "false crawls," when turtles come ashore but don’t nest. Officials said those incidents are up 86%, often related to light or human activity on the beach.

Some people supported the proposal, worried that nighttime shark fishing can draw crowds using flashlights and cell phone cameras, potentially disturbing nesting turtles.

"I think it’s a shame," said resident Rosanne Carbonero. "It’s their environment, we’re encroaching in on their environment."

But the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told city leaders the issue may not be tied to fishing.

"We have reported in 2025 eight adult disorientations and 13 hatchling disorientations, that’s relatively low," an FWC representative said during the meeting. He said the disruptions are "most likely not due to fishing but more likely due to light intensity" from surrounding condos and hotels.

FWC also warned the proposed ordinance would not hold up legally, calling it "unenforceable and likely unconstitutional." That assessment ultimately led city leaders to reject the proposal.

For local shark fishermen, the decision is a relief.

"We use turtle-friendly lights, and if we see any [turtles], we get as far away as we can," said fisherman Kyle Sidler.

While similar restrictions have been passed in places like Miami Beach, where shark fishing is banned, FWC says those rules may face similar legal challenges.

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