State: FL

Broad representation of recreational fishing community interests strategize on key management issues Representatives of the recreational fishing community recently gathered together for their second in-person meeting to plan strategies for addressing current and future management challenges of Gulf of Mexico red snapper. The two-day meeting, facilitated by Florida State University’s FCRC Consensus Center, produced constructive…

On July 23, Congressman Curt Clawson (FL) introduced the LEAP Act of 2015, (H.R. 3202) which would ban the importation of 11 lionfish species, including nine species that do not yet inhabit U.S. waters. The legislation comes in response to the rapidly growing lionfish population in Florida’s coastal waters. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), along…

Recreational fishing and boating community praises Congressional leaders for addressing flawed marine reserve decision  On the heels of the recent announcement to close over 10,000 acres of Biscayne National Park to fishing, a coalition of recreational fishing and boating organizations praised the introduction of a bipartisan bill, H.R. 3310, that will help stop this and…

On April 14, the Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, in conjunction with Ducks Unlimited and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), held a reception at FWCC Commissioner Chuck Roberts’s plantation. Ten legislators joined House Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chair Representative Frank Artiles, FWCC Director Nick Wiley, FWCC Commissioners, FWCC personnel, and sportsmen’s representatives to gather for…

The Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted their annual dinner this past Monday, March 17, outside of Tallahassee, FL. The Co-Chairs of the Caucus, Rep. Doug Holder and Sen. Thad Altman, were joined by 15 of their colleagues as well numerous representatives from the sportsmen’s community.  Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Nick…

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is pleased to partner with the Central Florida Shootout, held from May 2 – 4 in Port Canaveral, Florida. The Shootout includes over 1,500 participants and encourages youth to get involved with angling by providing them with over 100 rods and reels. By purchasing a raffle ticket for $50, you…

The November 15 release of the supplemental General Management Plan for Biscayne Bay National Park marks a step in the right direction from an earlier proposed drastic 16 square-mile no-take marine reserve. The new preferred alternative identifies a 14,585 acre special recreation zone that would allow fishing year round with a special permit and includes…

On July 1, 2013, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, along with the American Sportfishing Association, Center for Coastal Conservation, International Game Fish Association and National Marine Manufacturers Association, sent a letter on behalf of the recreational fishing and boating community to Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio, thanking them for their leadership in altering the direction…

The Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus held a caucus dinner on Thursday, April 11 at a hunting preserve outside of Tallahassee in the waning weeks of the legislative session. The dinner provided an opportunity to discuss sportsmen’s issues, welcome new Caucus members and highlight the form and function of the Florida Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. In attendance…

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is pleased to partner with the Central Florida Shootout, held from June 21 to 23 in Port Canaveral, Florida. The Shootout includes over 1,500 participants and encourages children to get involved with fishing by providing them with over 100 fishing rods and reels. You can help support CSF and enter…

2013 Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report – Florida

Florida squeezes more than three times the revenue from angling than from oranges ($4.4 billion vs. $1.2 billion). Every five years in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey on hunters and anglers, CSF produces a report on the economic impact hunters and anglers have on the economy.  This information is vital in helping…