Florida Marine Fisheries Enhancement Initiative

Search

Press (Click for Full Update List)

Title: Hatcheries in Florida? This Editorial Cartoon Sums it Up!

Post date: 01/08/2009 - 08:32
Title: Florida Marine Hatcheries may be part of the Obama Stimulus Package

Post date: 01/04/2009 - 20:37

My Links

User login

Donate to the FMFEI

The FMFEI needs your help! Our great ambitions need all the help they can get to become a reality. If you would like to help out, please click the button below.

Strengthening the Future for Sportfishing Along Florida's Vast Costal Waterways.

A Brief Description

The Florida Marine Fisheries Enhancement Initiative is a multi-year, multi-partner program vital to sustaining our saltwater sportfish populations and the natural habitats of our precious marine life.

Our first saltwater hatchery helped keep the red drum population healthy and available in the Tampa Bay area. New technology and scientific insight have enabled the construction of even more effective marine enhancement centers that can provide a variety of game fish, at different stages of development.

To help bolster Florida's sportfish populations that may otherwise be reduced by current demand, fishery scientists and managers advise creating a series of strategically networked hatcheries and grow-out facilities on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. This network, combined with parallel habitat restoration, will be most the efficient model for sustaining healthy sportfish populations.

Florida is the most popular sportfishing destination in the country and that popularity contributes about $5 billion to Florida's economy annually. Maintaining healthy fish populations and habitats is critical to the continuation of that success. That is why we urge everyone who lives, works or plays in our beautiful state to help us make this initiative a reality and Support Florida Sportfish.

A Team Effort

Construction of these innovative marine propagation and ecosystem restoration facilities will only be possible through teamwork. In addition to the partners already involved in the initiative, the team must include support from government, non-profit, academic and private fisheries research institutions-and from concerned citizens and other stakeholders. We also want to work with interested communities to design a localized program that can involve all interested residents. Your contributions are vital. Donations can be in the form of time, money, or property.

[Fish artwork copyright Diane Rome Peebles. Reprinted with permission.]