HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-19-07 Meeting on Bow-Fishing Issues
MINUTES
CITY OF OCOEE
MEETING ON BOW-FISHING ISSUES
April 19, 2007, at 10:00 A.M.
A.CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Anderson
called this meeting with Jim Sweatman, Project Leader for Florida
Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to discuss complaints he had been receiving with
regard to the people bow-fishing on Starke Lake.
Also Present: ,
Mayor VandergriftCity Attorney Rosenthal, City Manager Frank,
Assistant City Manager Croteau, and City Clerk Eikenberry
B. DISCUSSION REGARDING BOW FISHING ON STARKE LAKE AND
THE POSSIBLE DANGER TO CHILDREN AND RESIDENTS.
Commissioner Anderson
opened the meeting by stating he had received complaints
regarding the bow-fishing on Starke Lake. One of the complainants stated that their
children where playing on the shoreline and people were bow-fishing from a boat and
shooting the spears in the direction of the children.
Mr. Sweatman
. read the Florida Statute that allows bow fishing on lakes for certain
types of non-sport fish, including Talapia, which is being fished from Starke Lake. He
stated it is the peak season for Talapia and even commercial fishermen are bow-fishing at
this time because there is such a high demand for Tilapia. He stated that the only way to
enforce stricter rules appropriately would be on a local level, either by meeting with the
parties involved or by enacting a City ordinance.
Discussion followed on how to restrict bow fishing to keep it from interfering with the
safety of the residents. It was decided that placing restrictions prohibiting persons from
bow fishing within 100 of children, or within 100 feet of residences, etc. would be too
difficult to clarify or to enforce. The consensus of the group was that the ordinance
should specify a specific prohibited residential area where no bow fishing would be
allowed.
Mr. Sweatman
also suggested that the City try talking to the bow fishermen and request
that they use common courtesy and stay away from residential areas or areas where
children may be on the shoreline. He said that type of dialogue usually works well with
residents who are just bow-fishing for sport, but would be a little more difficult with
Mayor Vandergrift
commercial fisherman. stated that Commissioner Anderson should
call a meeting between the Bow-Fishers and those who are complaining, and publicize it
for all concerned residents, to discuss a solution that makes everyone happy. It should
also be determined at the meeting how many residents would be concerned if bow-fishing
was banned in the residential areas, thus prohibiting them from bow-fishing in their own
yard. City Attorney Rosenthal clarified it would be a "Community Meeting" called by
Commissioner Anderson, as opposed to a Commission Workshop.
Further discussion occurred regarding the ordinance and penalties. City Manager Frank
asked if a penalty was necessary or would they prefer to use the ordinance as a tool to
give warnings to residents that it is not legal. Mr. Sweatman said warnings generally
work with residents, but there should be some type of penalty in order to get the
commercial fisherman to comply. City Attorney Rosenthal asked if you can ban people
from using the lake if they violate the ordinance. Mr. Sweatman said that has been done
that in some other cities and it is working very well; after the first violation a trespass
warning is issued by the police department prohibiting the violator from returning. The
consensus was that the ordinance should include a map designating the prohibited area
for bow-fishing. City Manager Frank suggested that a sign is posted showing the map
and stating that bow-fishing is prohibited by order of City ofOcoee Ordinance.
Commissioner Anderson said he will keep his eye on Starke Lake and attempt to talk to
some of the bow-fishers. He said he will organize a meeting for residents and bow-
fishers to discuss this issue. Mayor Vandergrift asked Mr. Sweatman if he could be
present at the community meeting. City Attorney Rosenthal said that they should
probably avoid the appearance that the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation
Commission has anything to do with the enforcement of this ordinance. Mayor
Vandergrift said that we could make that clear at the meeting, but still have someone
from their office available to answer questions for the residents.
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
Attest:
APPROVED:
City of Ocoee