The Future of Fishing in Florida

Fishing has been a cornerstone of the Floridian economy for centuries, attracting anglers from around the globe to its pristine waterways and abundant marine wildlife. However, overfishing and habitat destruction have put the elusive but integral resource at risk. It’s crucial to consider the current state and potential future of fishing in Florida.

It All Starts with the Numbers

Understanding the scope of people in Florida who like to catch or eat fish is an essential starting point. Currently, there are almost 23 million Floridians, many of whom have an affinity for fishing. However, in the past, with a much smaller population, no one bothered with fishing rules or regulations. The first fishing licenses were established to protect and preserve resources for state residents and not to safeguard the fish themselves. Nonetheless, times have changed and marine environments and fish populations are continuously prone to damage.

Although the success of the past 30 years has shown some improvement, several species’ populations continue to decrease. The quality of Florida’s waters is also under siege, leading to concern for the future of fishing in the state.

The Pressure of Vessels on the Water

The sheer amount of vessels on the water today has a direct impact on the behaviors and habits of the Florida fishery, whether the vessels are fishing or not. Combustion engines are noise and cause significant environmental disruptions in the sensitive areas of rivers and estuaries. While this increased vessel presence is beneficial for the short-term economy, the environmental impact is massive. The presence of humans in these areas significantly influences fish’s migratory habits and gamefish numbers interacted with daily.

Commercial fishing operations once caught quantities of fish without regard to the fishery or conservation of aquatic resources. These practices have had fatal consequences for fish species and habitats. Nowadays, a chorus of voices expresses deep concern about the state of the Florida fishery.

Clean Water and Careful Fishing Practices

Florida’s fishing rules have been designed to protect its resources. The goal of those who champion a sustainable recovery is the same, whether they represent commercial or sustainable fishing. You have to have a healthy habitat for fish to survive. Once the fish have a safe environment, they must have something to eat. Therefore, having a healthy food web from the bottom to the apex predator is essential to achieving sustainable fishing practices.

Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has ranked Florida only 11th for fresh seafood production in recent years and fourth in

Originally Post From https://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/articles/fishing-for-the-future/

Read more about this topic at
Florida’s Imperiled Species
Threatened and Endangered Species List Florida Gulf Coast