A newly signed Florida law is changing how law enforcement operates on the water, but not all boaters are on board.

The Boater Freedom Act, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis earlier this month, now requires that Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and other local agencies have probable cause before stopping or boarding a vessel. Previously, random inspections were permitted.

Some boaters are celebrating the law as a protection of personal freedoms, but others worry it could open the door to illegal activity going unchecked.

Captain Carlos Gutierrez, who’s been fishing near the Ozello Keys Marina for over a decade, says the change could have ripple effects across Florida’s coastal ecosystems.

“It’s just a tough position to be in where you want the rules to be followed,” Gutierrez said. “But now FWC and the sheriff’s office are in a bind. Without probable cause, they can’t just stop and inspect a boat anymore.”

The law effectively ends routine vessel checks, which some say have helped deter poaching and illegal harvesting of marine life.

“Do I think people will take advantage of this? Absolutely,” Gutierrez said. “That could hurt certain species — fish, vegetation, even commercially harvested sponges.”

Fellow boater Kevin Dubicki agrees, calling the new law a potential safety risk.

“I think this is going to let people get away with a lot more,” Dubicki said. “They’ll think, ‘They can’t board my boat, they can’t check my catch,’ just because there’s no obvious crime.”

Despite the changes, Gutierrez says he plans to stick to his values — following the rules and keeping safety a priority.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

(Image credit: Spectrum News)

PIE-Sun.com: local St. Pete-Clearwater news