ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Florida wildlife officials are weighing new rules for anglers at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park after thousands of birds were entangled in fishing gear over the past two years.
Since January 2021, at least 3,300 seabirds required rescue from the pier after they were hooked or wrapped in fishing gear at the popular angling spot nestled next to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission data.
Of those, at least 1,000 birds needed veterinary care and 500 died.
