MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. – Officials in Melbourne Beach postponed a vote on whether to ban shark fishing within town limits.
Fisherman chumming the water with blood and guts near surfers and swimmers has been an ongoing problem in the town because, locals say, it attracts sharks closer to shore.
"When you chum the water, sharks just start going wild," said resident Robert Hakimoglu.
It's become such a problem that Mayor Jim Simmons proposed to ban baiting, chumming and shark fishing within 300 feet of Melbourne Beach's shoreline.
"There's a risk out there, but you increase the risk by inviting them to come there and associating that area with a food source," said Simmons.
"I think it's a good thing to ban it or put some restriction on it as much as they can do," said resident Erin Riley.
However, only the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission can regulate fishing, including shark fishing, anywhere in the state. So, Simmons wanted to present the issue as a public safety ordinance, hoping FWC regulations would allow it.
At Wednesday's town meeting, city leaders decided to hold off on the vote over concerns how the ban would be enforced. It's not known if the matter will be revisited at a later date.
Melbourne Beach only consists of about two miles of beach.