FWC 4-1-1 - October 2007

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FWC 4-1-1	Freshwater Fishing	Fishing Capital

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Recreational hunting and fishing license fees go up

As of Oct. 1, new fees apply for all recreational licenses issued by the FWC. The Legislature authorized the first price increase for hunting and fishing licenses since 1979 and 1989, respectively.

Bob Wattendorf, marketing leader in the FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, said, “When fees for fishing licenses were last increased, in 1989, gasoline cost 89 cents a gallon. But even with the new fees, the cost of hunting and fishing in Florida still falls below the median for the other 49 states. Also the percentage of increase is well below the rise in the cost of living seen since 1989.”

In researching the impact of a price hike for the Legislature’s review, the FWC carefully considered the effect on federal aid for sport fishing and wildlife restoration programs, an amount based on the number of license holders and size of the state. Additional research included focus groups and surveys of individual hunters and anglers across Florida.

License revenue is used to conserve fish and wildlife resources and benefit anglers and hunters.

“The higher fees could generate an extra $10 million annually within four years. The extra money will not create new programs,” said Sandra Wilson, FWC’s director of finance and budget, “but it will offset a predicted $12.5-million deficit by 2010.”

Programs in danger of losing funding – such as freshwater hatcheries, law enforcement patrols and saltwater fisheries stock assessments – will be able to continue at current levels of service.

Florida remains the number-one fishing destination in the United States, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2006 national survey. In addition, Florida ranks number-one in the nation for its $11 billion generated annually through hunting, fishing and wildlife-viewing activities.

Two new Commissioners assume posts

Two new Commissioners joined the FWC during September’s three-day meeting in St. Petersburg.

Ron Bergeron of Ft. Lauderdale and Kenneth Wright of Winter Park began their five-year terms on the seven-member commission. They replace former Vice Chairman David K. Meehan and former Commissioner H.A. “Herky” Huffman.

Ron Bergeron

Bergeron, an engineering contractor, is president and owner of Bergeron Family of Companies, based in Ft. Lauderdale. He notes with pride that he is a fourth-generation Floridian.

Saving the Everglades and protecting wildlife have been Bergeron’s lifelong passions. He has met with public officials regularly to help steer priorities for Everglades projects to stop irreversible damage to the great wetland. For the past 10 years, Bergeron has worked with the Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District with value engineering and analyzing costs versus benefits of restoration projects.

“I am sincerely honored to serve as a Commissioner and have such an important role in protecting the resources that have been such a big part of my life,” Bergeron said. “My grandfather was a game warden in Florida, and that opened a wealth of life experiences and the background that drives me to protect our natural resources for future generations.”

Bergeron is a member of the Broward County Airboat Association and the Everglades Coordinating Council. In addition, he is active in the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, Broward Partnership for the Homeless and Children’s Harbor.

Wright is a partner in the Orlando law firm Shutts & Bowen, where he has worked since 1989. He holds a juris doctorate from Cumberland School of Law, a bachelor’s in political science from the University of South Florida and an associate’s degree from Orlando Junior College. He has lived in Florida since 1962.

Wright is an avid outdoorsman with experience in all types of hunting and fishing in Florida.

“Having lived almost my entire life in Florida, hunting and fishing,” Wright said, “I look forward to working hard to ensure that opportunity to the next generation of Floridians.”

Kenneth Wright

Wright served eight years as chairman of the Environmental Regulation Commission. He said that background, coupled with his sincere motivation to be of service to the FWC, will enable him to bring a new perspective to the agency. Wright also served as chairman of the Sanford Aviation Authority and was a member of the Seminole County Port Authority. Other service includes past president of the Leukemia Society and current board membership in the Winter Park Chamber.

New FWC officers now on duty

Thirty-four new officers graduated from the FWC’s law enforcement academy in August at a ceremony in Tallahassee. They come from various backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common – the desire to protect the state’s natural resources.

Recruits completed 29 weeks of training, which included alligator handling, man-tracking, vessel operation, all-terrain-vehicle driving, defensive tactics, boating safety enforcement and firearms.

The elite group was assigned to various areas throughout the state. As FWC officers, they are empowered to enforce every law of the state, but enforcing fish and wildlife laws is their primary function.

Calendar sales benefit Florida Bass Conservation Center

The new Florida Bass Conservation Center (FBCC) continues to ensure the best bass fishing in the world by producing healthy, genetically pure, native Florida largemouth bass for stocking wherever they will do the most good.

Plans for the Sumter County center, which opened in February, also include providing public education and outreach. But funds are needed to fulfill those plans, and Glen Lau, the award-winning cinematographer who created “Bigmouth”
and “Bigmouth Forever,” is again stepping forward to help.

The 2008 Florida Bass Calendar, featuring his gorgeous underwater photos, is now on sale through the Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The calendar features interesting facts, tips and fishing-related dates. They make great holiday gifts, and profits support the FBCC’s mission to improve the future of freshwater fishing in Florida. Order yours today online at WildlifeFoundationofFlorida.com, or call (800) 988-4889.

Results of 2006 national survey now available

Results from the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Survey are now available. The survey is considered the gold standard for comparing outdoor recreation activities between states and over time.

Florida once again defended its title of “Fishing Capital of the World,” leading the way with 2.8 million anglers fishing here last year, spending $4.4 billion and creating 75,000 jobs. Texas followed with 2.5 million anglers, despite having a higher population and nearly five times the land area of Florida.

Another interesting highlight of the study, reported by the American Sportfishing Association, is that one out of every three anglers fish for largemouth bass, America’s most popular game fish. Also – one of every seven Americans fished in 2006, making the sport more popular than jogging or golf.

Slain officer to be honored in Pinellas County memorial

Margaret E. “Peggy” Park, an officer with the then-Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, lost her life while investigating two suspicious people she encountered in a remote area of Pinellas County on Dec. 13, 1984.

The Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management has erected a marker in Officer Park’s honor, near the place where she was slain in the line of duty at Brooker Creek Preserve.

On Oct. 8 at 10 a.m., the FWC’s Honor Guard will lay a wreath at the marker and dedicate the site. The ceremony will be followed by a luncheon, with tributes to her life and sacrifice. Officer Park’s mother, sister and brother will be in attendance.

FWC 4-1-1 is published by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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The e-newsletter for stakeholders of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well being and the benefit of people.
Volume 1, Issue 4	October 2007