FLORIDA — Starting Monday, anyone who plans to go shore-based shark fishing will need permission first. 

The new law requires anyone planning to harvest or target sharks from shore to complete an educational course and get a permit.  This includes people older than 16, or anyone under 16 who is not with someone who has a permit. 

The idea is to address concerns from those who are worried about the shark population, or those worried about safety on the beach. 

"So we had a lot of workshops, we talked to a lot of people, both those who fish for shark and those who don't, and this was some of the things that we came up with to try to work with those stake holders and make sure that people that are out there fishing for shark from shore are aware of what the best practices are and what the regulations are — that they know how to ID sharks while they're out there. That's really what the education course is for," Amanda Nally, with Marine Fisheries Management, said. 

One fisherman said he completed the course in about 20 minutes, and that it was well worth his time. 

"It was learning experience and it taught me a lot. I'm glad I did it and passed the test and it's a good thing for people to know what the laws are and what the rules are to do it, so the fish don't get hurt and the people don't get hurt," fisherman Tim said.