Palm Beachs efforts to ban shark fishing near town beaches were in vain.

Code Enforcement Manager Ben Alma told the Ordinances, Rules and Standards Committee on Thursday that state law preempts regulations the town had hoped to adopt.

The (Florida) Fish and Wildlife (Conservation Commission) said we cannot use it, Alma said ofa previously recommended ordinance. We cant stop anybody from fishing. We should table this indefinitely.

The committee recommended an ordinance last September that would have banned shark fishing within 300 feet north and south of town beaches and within 300 feet of public beach access points. The ordinance also would have banned baiting or chumming and the use of shark lures and rigs within the same boundaries. The Town Council approved a first reading of the ordinance in October but tabled it in November for further review by the committee.

Bobbie Lindsay, committee chairwoman, saidshark fishing has been a problem particularly for residents on the North End of the island. The town has received complaints from residents concerned about fishermen camping on the beaches and chumming the water.

Chum is bait consisting of bloody fish parts used to lure animals, particularly sharks. Residents have said the practice endangers recreational beachgoers, especially children, and litters the shore.

The committee tabled the topic last week, but Lindsay encouraged Alma to be a little more aggressive and proactive in discussing chummingregulations with the state.

This chumming is a real issue, she said. Im a diver and a boater and where theres chumming, there are sharks, and often for hours after they chum. I really think that lack of regulation is presenting danger for our swimmers.

Alma saidthe town does regulate beach access, hours and parking. The council also adopted an ordinance two years ago that bans sleeping and camping on public beaches.

Weve also set up pro-active patrols, he said.

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Palm Beach can't regulate shark fishing, state says - Palm Beach Daily News