Shore fishermen will need a license beginning Aug. 1

Too often when people around here are dissatisfied with something, they mention how things are done up north, implying that Florida is the drain of the nation in terms of policy and logic.

Starting Saturday, Aug. 1, Florida anglers will be required to buy a license to fish from shore. This is the way it's been done in many northern and western states for years. But this is one case where I wouldn't argue that the "up north" places were right, but that it's actually about time Florida start doing this.

Sure, the economy is depressed and this isn't the greatest time to hit coastal anglers with a fee. But it seemed rather odd that no license fee was being collected from shore anglers to funnel back to the natural resource that continually is feeling pressure thanks to population growth. The money will help fund marine resource research, management and law enforcement. Plus the feds hold a card in this that I'll tell you about in a minute.

Bottom line for now: Resident anglers who fish for saltwater species from shore or a structure affixed to shore must have a $9 shoreline fishing license or a $17 regular saltwater fishing license.

Fishing from the shore at Turner Beach. Beginning Aug. 1, shore fishermen must have a state license. Things stay the same for out-of-staters. They need a regular nonresident saltwater fishing license to fish from shore or from a boat. Short-term and annual nonresident fishing licenses cost between $17 and $47.

As with any new law, exceptions exist:

. The license fees listed above probably won't be your true out-of-pocket expense. Additional fees may apply to both in- and out-of-state licenses, depending on where you buy the license. I always buy mine over the phone on a toll-free number, which costs me a few bucks more but which is completely convenient.

. People who fish in their home county using live or natural bait on a line or pole without a line-retrieval mechanism don't need a license. Not many of us hook-andline fish without a reel, but if you're one of them, you're spared.

. If you use nets, traps, gigs, spears or gather your seafood by hand, you don't get that exemption listed above. That's just for the cane-pole or Cuban yoyo crowd.

. If you qualify for temporary cash assistance, food stamps or Medicaid, you don't have to have the new shoreline license. Just be sure to bring proof with you when you hit the water's edge so you can show the officer who stops to check your license.

. If you're over age 65 or younger than 16, you can fish without a license. I'm glad they didn't tamper with this part of the law.

. Active-duty military personnel can fish without a license while home on leave in Florida.

. If you fish from piers, check this out: Licensed fishing piers have other licenses that cover everyone who fishes from them.

Confused? Consider this suggestion from the Florida Fish and Conservation Commission, the governing body in this regulation. "The FWC suggests the $17 regular saltwater fishing license may be the best option for most resident anglers unless they are certain they will fish only from shore or a structure affixed to shore all year."

By the way, if you already have a regular saltwater fishing license, you won't have to purchase one of these saltwater shoreline ones. You're covered.

Ultimately, FWC officials say they're just helping us anglers out by creating this shoreline fishing license. It means the Florida Legislature arranged for Florida anglers to be exempt from a more expensive federal angler registration requirement that will take effect in 2011.

To find out more, go online to www. MyFWC.com. Click on "Newsroom" and "Media Resources."

Gone to the birds

If the license fee makes you want to get out of fishing, then try bird watching. You won't be alone.

A recent report shows bird watchers and wildlife viewers spend $3.1 billion a year in Florida, which means they support roughly 35,000 jobs as they travel around the state and its Great Florida Birding Trail.

The trail has 489 sites and offers a showcase for the 504 bird species counted in Florida. By the way, you should feel lucky. Roughly only 800 species are recorded in the entire United States.

"More people travel to Florida to see wildlife than any other state," said the FWC's Mark Kiser, who handles the trail. The economic boost from birding is enough to encourage communities to conserve their wild lands so the wildlife viewers will keep coming, he said.

It's easy to start bird watching. Grab binoculars, a bird book and a camera. Bring a pad of paper to record what species you find. Who knows, you may see one of the 135 species that are considered exotic — and just think, you wouldn't even have to own a passport or travel far to add such a bird to your brand new "life list."

— Betsy Clayton is a freelancer based on Pine Island and also is Lee County Parks & Recreation's waterways coordinator. Contact her at boatingbybetsy@yahoo.com.