Man cited for shark fishing on the Naples Pier

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NAPLES, Fla.- A 22-year-old man was cited for shark fishing Friday night at the Naples Pier.

A city ordinance bans shark fishing at the pier for safety reasons.

“Safety is the biggest concern anywhere in the City of Naples,” said Roger Jacobsen, Naples harbormaster. “When you have a shark flapping around on the pier, the chance for a bite is quite high, that is the reason for the law. No shark fishing on the pier, period.”

“If that’s just one less shark I have to worry about biting on me and my children, then so be it,” said Anthony Rivera. “I don’t see a big problem with that.”

The man who was cited will now have to appear before a judge.

“It’s not very smart,” said CJ Perez who enjoys fishing on the pier. “When you catch a fish on the pier, there’s so many people here they surround you. And if you get the shark onto the pier, it’s reliable to move around, jump, and if it catches someone in the arm, that’s another problem.”

If you do happen to catch a shark, officials say the proper thing to do is cut your line and let the shark go. The hook will eventually rust out and the shark will survive.

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