ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Fishing at the Skyway Pier has new rules.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission passed the restrictions back in July, with the goal of preventing seabirds from getting tangled in fishing gear. 

Over the past two years, more than 3,000 birds got tangled in fishing gear and needed to be rescued, according to a study done by the FWC. 

Starting on Sunday, anyone who wants to fish on the pier will have to complete an online educational course through the FWC first and get a certificate to prove it. The course is free and must be taken every year. Kids under 16 aren't required to take the online course, as long as they're with an adult who has. 

Fishers will also be limited to no more than two sets of hook and line gear. From Nov. 15 to March 15, rigs with more than one hook attached – like Sabiki rigs – and gear with multiple hooks are not allowed.

Breathing in the fresh air at the Skyway Fishing Pier is Bob Connor's favorite way to decompress. He doesn't mind the new rules and thinks the educational course will be beneficial for fishers, especially those starting out. 

“It’s really no big deal," Connor said. "If you’re going to hunt or you’re going to do anything with sport fishing or anything like that, there’s supposed to be licensing involved. So a training course to fish on a pier is really no different than that.”

Mike Robinson, on the other hand, has been coming to the pier for more than 50 years and is not happy with the new regulations. 

“I won’t be coming back here if you’re going to make me go to a class first," he said. "I ain’t got time for that, I really don’t. But as far as restrictions - they have to catch you first, that’s the way I look at it.”

The rules will be in effect for the next two years. FWC offcials said in that time, they'll monitor how effectiv the restrictions are and consider changes after the two-year period. 

For more information about the regulations and to access the required educational course, click here.