New required course at Florida Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier is all about bird safety
Starting Sunday, Oct. 1, if you plan to fish the Skyway Fishing Pier, there is an online educational course that is required to be passed to access the state park.
Anglers online are posting mixed reactions and have gone to social media to vent their frustrations.
“I come several times a year, but after this grouper season I will never come back,” wrote angler Joe on Facebook, who was angry at the new rules. “I have (been) fishing the Skyway before it was a park.”
Many others wondered how it would be policed. Then a few saw the positive from the change.
“Seems like I’ll go to the Skyway and actually get a parking spot now after October 1,” wrote Alan to a Skyway fishing Facebook page. “Yippy!!”
“Fewer people, more fish for the test takers!” replied Jim.
I decided to take the course to see what information is being passed along to anglers. Let it be known I haven’t been on the pier in many years but often visit it by boat to catch bait or fish for various species. Being there in a boat has no requirement of passing the class, so someone on the bridge a few feet away from an angler on a boat has different rules.
It is pretty clear this class will be a benefit to boaters or those who find the pier busy, as some won’t want to deal with the steps and rules in place.
The course starts with a background on why it is now in place and what is required. Anyone over the age of 16 must pass the course to fish, even those over 65 years old who no longer require a fishing license.
Images of pelicans, which are what caused the environmental outcry, are on each slide as the presentation begins. Information on the pier and what draws pelicans to it occupies the first 10 minutes or so before leading into the harm that is done to birds as a result of human interaction.
The second part of the presentation leads into what changes are being enforced. Namely the use of no more than two rods at one time per angler, restrictions on multiple hook rigs or treble hooks during certain times of the year, and that all gear must be tended by anglers. It goes back into the educational phase telling anglers to be aware of where birds are and how their lines are acting in the water.
Anglers are encouraged to not attract birds by keeping bait covered when on the pier and discarding used bait away from birds. Cleaning up after yourself by not leaving used tackle, food and bait lying around is also emphasized.
The final part of the presentation goes into what happens if you do hook a bird. Having the correct tools is the first step. Getting the bird under control as fast as possible without causing harm is the second step. Covering its eyes and head with a towel calms down the bird allowing easier handling.
Then detanglement should begin by removing any hooks and tackle. There are plenty of bird rescuers available if further action is needed to help. They can be found by looking up Seabird Rehabilitators.
After finalizing the presentation, the real fun begins and a quiz is required to pass. Some questions are redundant, but they mainly emphasize the new rules in place for anglers and the need to care for wildlife. The 10-question test can be taken an unlimited number of times until a 100% score is reached, and answers are corrected in case of a wrong response.
When I completed the course, I will admit it changed my mind on the issue a bit. It took me an hour from registration to when I received the completion email. I went in thinking it was unnecessary and a reason to add more restrictions to anglers.
But most of what was discussed were common-sense issues and the world is losing much of its common sense. Being prepared, cleaning up after yourself and treating wildlife humanely are the main points being made, and that is something everyone should support.
