Florida to ban dumping blood off beaches to lure sharks

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida is preparing a new statewide ban on the practice by fishermen along the state's iconic beaches of dumping bloody fish guts into the ocean to lure sharks closer to shore — and possibly closer to swimmers and waders.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was expected later this month to finalize a ban on "chumming" when fishing for any species from the beach. The technique — often used for sharks — involves scattering blood, oil and pieces of ground-up fish to produce a slick carried on the current or tide to lure predators closer to baited hooks.