GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH — After a recent ordinance was passed by the City of Orange Beach prohibiting certain commercial activities on the beach, confusion has surfaced surrounding fishing regulations and laws in Alabama’s coastal communities.

A post in a Facebook group for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach claimed someone heard it is illegal to “fish off the beaches” of these cities. The person who made the post asked if it is true because they planned to fish while on vacation.

The comments were scattered and had varying instructions. Some said it is only illegal to fish for sharks. Some said it is illegal to fish near swimmers. Some said Gulf Shores prohibits areas while Orange Beach has all access, and other comments read it is illegal in Orange Beach but legal in Gulf Shores.

While this post may or may not be tied into the Orange Beach commercial ordinance, several comments were made concerning fishing at the city council meeting where the ordinance was approved.

The Orange Beach ordinance bans any "guided activities" such as fishing, gigging, crabbing or anything with the intention of interacting or observing wildlife along the beaches, shorelines and waterways. This is not the only type of business that is covered in the ban, but this is the only place in the ordinance that mentions fishing.

Coastal Resources Deputy Director Nicole Woerner, said she isn't sure why there is confusion surrounding the terms of fishing on the beaches. She said she has heard concerns that the ordinance prohibits “all fishing from the beach,” which it does not.

“The ordinance was only directed to businesses — most of which have nothing to do with fishing — so, I’m just not sure what went wrong,” Woerner said.

She said the ordinance will affect businesses like an unlicensed guided fishing set-up.

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Director of Marine Resources Division Col. Scott Bannon said the licensed-guided fishing businesses can be a “helpful thing for folks” who don’t know how to fish in the area and don’t have equipment.

“They are a very helpful way for guests, visitors and tourists to experience fishing without investing in the equipment,” Bannon said.

Bannon said the state does not limit areas or have strict regulations outlawing “any fishing anywhere.” As seen on the ADCNR Outdoor Alabama website, the only thing required for fishing along the Alabama Gulf Coast is a saltwater fishing license.

While he said he isn't sure of the specifics of the new ordinance, Bannon said he is certain it does not affect individual fishing licenses, only business licenses.

“(Orange Beach is) not trying to eliminate opportunities for businesses, they’re just trying to keep the beach from being over-commercialized,” he said.

WHAT ARE THE ALABAMA GULF COAST FISHING LAWS?

Woerner suggested those who have questions concerning fishing license requirements visit the ADCNR website for more information, such as age and residency requirements.

The website states Alabama residents and non-residents younger than 16 are exempt from needing a freshwater or saltwater fishing license. Residents over the age of 65 are exempt from needing either fishing license, too.

Residency is determined by a person’s driver’s license. If you have a valid driver’s license from another state, you are considered a non-resident.

Additional requirements for residents applying for a fishing license include providing an Alabama driver’s license or non-driver’s identification card (exceptions include active-duty military and their families stationed in Alabama and college students) and continuously residing in the state for at least 90 days.

Resident non-drivers without a driver’s license must visit the probate or license commissioner with at least two documents that prove residency, such as a tax return from a previous year, utility bills from the last three months, employment certification or other legal documents that establish Alabama residency.

For a saltwater fishing license, there are several different options, such as a license for annual fishing, a seven-day trip, pier fishing, spearfishing (also available for non-resident seven-day trips), disabled resident/disabled veteran and additional add-ons for reef fish endorsement and a lifetime gulf reef fish endorsement.

For Alabamians, annual licenses are $29.35, seven-day trip ones are $12.10, pier fishing is $7.50, spearfishing is $6, disabled resident license is $3.45, and a disabled veteran license is $3.55. A reef fish endorsement is $10, and a lifetime gulf reef fish endorsement is $220.

Prices vary based on whether you live in Alabama, Louisiana, Florida or any other state. Non-Alabama natives are allowed to procure a fishing license, but the cost is more than it is for an Alabama local, hence why residency qualification has many specifics.

For example, an annual license for Louisianians is $129.20, for Floridians it’s $48.20, and for all other states it’s $63.30.

Saltwater fishing licenses are required for “cast netting, flounder gigging and recreational crab traps” in addition to fishing in any of the coastal waterways in Alabama, as detailed on the ADCNR saltwater boundary map.

Fishing anywhere marked blue requires a saltwater fishing license.

MAP PROVIDED

Another requirement for saltwater fishing is registration to become a saltwater angler. Registration can be found on the Outdoor Alabama website.

“Free saltwater angler registration is required for all residents 16 and over who take, catch, kill or possess fish or attempt to catch, kill or possess fish in the saltwater jurisdiction of Alabama,” the website reads.

For freshwater fishing, Alabama residents are allowed to fish from the “bank in their county of residence” with live bait only using a hook and line. No license is required outside of a “reasonable proof of residency.”

To fish in public freshwaters within the state, a license is required. Freshwater licenses, like saltwater licenses, can be purchased on the ADCNR Outdoor Alabama website. For residents, a freshwater fishing license is $16.60.

All recreational licenses expire each year on Aug. 31, the website states. For more information on any recreational fishing or hunting licenses, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

For more information on saltwater license boundaries call (251) 861-2882 for the Dauphin Island region or (251) 968-7576. For freshwater boundary inquiries call the WFF District 5 Office at (251) 626-5474.