Sunshine Matters

Florida has long been the number one recreational fishing destination in the country for anglers, which rightly earned us the title of “Fishing Capital of the World.”   Fishing in the Sunshine State brings in $7.5 billion and supports 75,000 jobs.  With nearly 3.7 million residents and visitors who fish Florida’s waters annually, fishing is an integral part of the state’s tourism industry.  

Promoting fishing in the Sunshine State has always been a key focus of VISIT FLORIDA – as evidenced by a special fishing section on VISITFLORIDA.com, a dedicated fishing and boating Insider who offers expert tips and advice, and – new this week – daily fishing reports from captains all around the state on Florida Live.  To bolster these efforts, in light of recent consumer misperception about the impact of oil on Florida fishing – and with limited resources to help spread the word, VISIT FLORIDA and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have strengthened our partnership in order to remind visitors about Florida’s natural assets and great fishing opportunities with a stronger combined voice than ever before.

VISIT FLORIDA and FWC are working together on a number of exciting projects, including creating an expanded fishing website at FishingCapital.com and co-sponsoring Bass 2 Billfish with Peter Miller – a new hybrid reality fishing show appearing weekly on the VERSUS Network that incorporates travel and reality based around the diverse fishing environment in Florida.

Another tremendous opportunity that has come from our partnership with FWC is a one-hour live television special titled, “Florida: The Fishing Capital of the World.”  This special will air Friday, July 30 at 7:00 p.m. on the VERSUS Network.  Florida government officials, including Governor Crist, and fishing celebrities will discuss fishing in Florida in regards to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.  The show, hosted by Peter Miller, Bass2Billfish host and professional angler, and Matt Iseman, host of “Sports Soup,” will feature fishing experts from around the state highlighting the different types of fishing in Florida.

In addition to Nick Wiley and Tim O’Neil at FWC, I would like to thank the Florida Lottery, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Florida Sports Foundation whose support made this television special possible.  Helping create events like this, provides VISIT FLORIDA with the opportunity to set the record straight before a national audience of potential visitors that Florida seafood is safe and the waters in Florida are open for fishing.

In the weeks and months ahead, you will see VISIT FLORIDA and FWC continuing to pull together and share resources to make sure fishing in Florida stays vibrant.  I know, working together, we will achieve that goal.