Gill net ban overturned - In Other News

Boat/US Magazine, May, 2002

A Florida circuit court judge ruled a state ban on gill nets unconstitutional Feb. 11 but an appeal by the state automatically reinstated the ban. The ruling by the Second Judicial Circuit which covers three counties in the Florida Panhandle, reversed a constitutional provision approved by 70% of Florida voters in 1994.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, charged with enforcing the net ban, immediately appealed the ruling to the First District Court of Appeals. That resulted in a stay, which the circuit court also overturned, 10 days later.

In the latest development, the appeals court reinstated the stay and that is expected to keep the ban in force while that court decides the case. Gill nets have been banned in Florida waters since July 1, 1995.