Florida Senate President Highlights Importance of Florida’s Recreational Fishing Industry

Focus on Florida

Florida Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart) joined the American Sportfishing Association and Keep Florida Fishing during ICAST’s State of the Industry Breakfast in Orlando to discuss the importance of Florida’s recreational fishing industry. ICAST, which runs from July 11-14, is the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, drawing approximately 15,000 attendees from around the world.

“In addition to representing a major economic force, Florida’s recreational fishing industry contributes millions each year to state conservation efforts through license fees and excise taxes. Because of this, we must remain focused on quickly completing Everglades restoration projects that will keep our waters clean and ensure anglers can enjoy fishing well into the future. Keep Florida Fishing is helping to move the needle in the right direction in their approach to Everglades restoration,” said President Negron.

“During this year’s legislative session, Senate President Negron proved his dedication to Everglades restoration, which is also a top priority of Keep Florida Fishing. We greatly appreciate his leadership and strong support for Florida’s recreational fishing community, which relies on clean waters and healthy, abundant fisheries,” said Kellie Ralston, Florida Fishery Policy Director of the American Sportfishing Association.

“ICAST is the perfect opportunity for Florida’s sportfishing community to renew our focus on Everglades restoration efforts, which are crucial to the well-being of our fisheries and our industry. We are encouraged by President Negron’s attention to this critical issue, and we will continue to work toward comprehensive solutions that will store, cleanse and send water south from Lake Okeechobee,” said Gary Jennings, Keep Florida Fishing Director.

Florida is the “Fishing Capital of the World,” with more than 3 million anglers who generate $9.6 billion in economic impact, support more than 128,000 jobs and contribute $53.3 million to state conservation efforts through license fees and special taxes on motor boat fuel and equipment.

About Keep Florida Fishing®

Keep Florida Fishing® is an advocacy arm of the American Sportfishing Association with the goal of ensuring Florida anglers have clean waters, abundant fisheries and access to both. Learn more at www.KeepFloridaFishing.org. Find Keep Florida Fishing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.