The State of Florida has passed a ban on live shell collecting in Lee
County, which includes Ft Myers, Pine Island, Sanibel, and Captiva Islands.
It takes effect on Feb 28.

Though I monitor the hearings of the state agency responsible, I didn't
learn of the proposal until the final hearings were about to be held. I
notified people in the area (panhandle) but apparently no one could attend
to put forward our objections.

In an earlier case, we learned of the final hearing for such a ban in
Manatee County and several shellers were able to attend the hearing where we
convinced the agency to make a two-live-per-species-per-day rule instead.

Unfortunately, many of the hearings are held far away from the actual site
being considered. Lee County is about 7 hours' drive from where the meetings
were held!

We need to keep on top of this! It could easily spread to the whole state...

Peggy Williams

                     Visit my website at http://www.shelltrips.com
                                  Peggy Williams
                                   Shell Elegant
                                    PO Box 575
                                Tallevast FL 34270
                                   (941) 355-2291
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