http://www.myfwc.com

JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

Welcome to Florida
FISHING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Dear Florida angler:
Freshwater fishing is the most popular type of fishing in the United States, and Florida’s
7,700 lakes and 10,500 miles of rivers and streams were some of the most popular places
anglers spent their days fishing in 2006. Over 1.4 million U.S. anglers above the age of
16 spent an average of 17.5 days freshwater fishing in Florida for a total of 24.5 million
days of fishing. In 2006, your fishing also added $2.4 billion in economic impact to
Florida’s economy and created 23,500 Florida jobs.
Anglers are strong advocates for fish and wildlife conservation in our great state and
your voices and actions, which include buying fishing licenses, help protect our aquatic
resources. All revenue from fishing license sales must go to the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for conservation uses. This revenue, along
with matching dollars from the Sport Fish Restoration Program (see page 10), helps
maintain sustainable freshwater fishing opportunities and contributes to making Florida
the “Fishing Capital of the World.”
I am glad you have chosen to fish in Florida’s fresh waters, and I encourage you to know
the regulations, practice good aquatic stewardship and promote ethical fishing practices.
We all want fishing to have a bright future in Florida so that people of all ages and
backgrounds can continue to experience nature and the great outdoors. In that regard, I
encourage those who can to support programs that introduce families and young people
to the outdoors and to freshwater fishing. The FWC has a simple way for you to donate
directly to youth hunting and fishing programs. Ask about it the next time you purchase
your hunting or fishing license, or visit MyFWC.com/Youth.
Enjoy Florida’s great outdoors by always fishing safely and ethically.
Good Luck and Good Fishing,
Rodney Barreto, Chairman
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission
2 2008-2009 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
MyFWC.com
Chairman Barreto (white
shirt) assists in dedicating
the new Florida Bass Conservation
Center by placing
the first broodfish into the
spawning raceways.