​Commissioner Robert S. Weinroth  

Contact:  Lucia Bonavita, 561-355-2204, Lbonavita@pbcgov.org

Commissioner Robert S. Weinroth announced today that the county is poised to ban shark fishing and chumming at county beach parks that are designated guarded swimming areas.   

"This is an issue that needed to be addressed since it involves the safety of both our residents and visitors," said Commissioner Weinroth.  

 He also added, "Our world-famous coastal shoreline is enjoyed by thousands of people every day and serves as a major economic engine for a local multi-million dollar tourism industry.  Chumming for sharks or shark fishing near our beachgoers is not acceptable."

Commissioner Weinroth's district includes over 30 miles of pristine coastline and as a newly elected commissioner, Weinroth has committed to be a strong advocate in support of protecting area beaches and coastal waters. 

Florida saw 30 unprovoked attacks in 2017, according to a report by the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida.  Further research provided that unprovoked attacks usually occur in August and September and most predators were the bull, blacktip and spinner species of sharks.  Researchers have reported that in 2017 sharks bit more than 30 people in unprovoked attacks off Florida's water.   Of those attacks, was a surfer who was bit on the arm while wading near the Lake Worth pier. 

The research reported some good news – there were no reported killings by these predators in 2016 and 2017 in Florida or the rest of the U.S.