LISTEN

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The 1st District Court of Appeal on Monday upheld the state's long-disputed, voter-approved "net ban." The court reversed a ruling by Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford, who sided last year with the Wakulla Fishermen's Association, a bait-shop owner and two mullet fishermen.

 

The plaintiffs argued the 1994 constitutional amendment that places strict limits on commercial fishing nets is being improperly applied by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. However, the appeals court asserted that the issue of the ban has been settled through repeated rulings in prior litigation and that Fulford's ruling "however well-intentioned it might have been, was erroneous."

 

The plaintiffs argued that the mesh size of the nets they are required to use forces mullet fishermen to kill vast quantities of juvenile fish, violating the purpose of the amendment.

 

Read the full story at WJXT>>

 

Want to read more about the gillnet ban? Click here...


Have you listened to this article via the audio player above?

If so, send us your feedback around what we can do to improve this feature or further develop it. If not, check it out and let us know what you think via email or on social media.

A collection of stories from guest authors.

Join the Conversation