There have been numerous instances of sharks coming close to shore along beaches in the Florida Panhandle, as well as Alabama beaches, this summer.

In Santa Rosa County (Fla.), commissioners there had been asked to consider placing restrictions on shark fishing from the beach, including restrictions on where and when shark fishing would be allowed.

Ultimately, however, commissioners went in the opposite direction. Rather than imposing new restrictions on shark fishing, the commission adopted a resolution Thursday night in support of local fishermen, making it clear there would be no additional regulations, according to the county commission office.

In the resolution, a copy of which can be found on the commission website, the commission called upon both Bible scripture and Ben Franklin to bolster their position.

“Scripture reveals in (Genesis 1:28) God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground,” the resolution opened.

After declaring their support of local fishermen and “their right and freedom to fish anywhere in Santa Rosa County,” commissioners turned to a Founding Father for more support.

“We the board of county commissioners agree with the wisdom of our founders including Benjamin Franklin — ‘Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

The resolution closed with a declaration there would be no new “no fishing” zones on Navarre Beach.

Santa Rosa County commissioner James Calkins had led the charge to support the local fishermen, according to WEAR, saying during a public forum on the issue earlier this week “Our beach is a place of freedom. Our beach is a place of enjoyment and I want to put this to rest.”