Governor Ron DeSantis announced today the allocation of $1,000,000 from the Florida Disaster Fund to the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The funding will be used to repair fishing and aquaculture infrastructure in the Big Bend region that was severely damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The money will go toward rebuilding boat slips, docks, fish houses, and other essential infrastructure for Florida’s fishing economy.
“The Big Bend’s fishing industry took a direct hit from hurricanes Debby and Helene, and so did the hardworking Floridians who make their living on the water,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today’s investments will help to rebuild critical waterside infrastructure and help get Floridians in the fishing and aquaculture industries back to full operations.”
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To secure additional federal resources, Governor DeSantis’ administration has also started the process of requesting a federal fisheries disaster declaration from the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. If granted, the declaration would unlock federal funds for rebuilding offshore, nearshore, and inshore fisheries. A similar request was made following Hurricanes Ian and Idalia.
Governor DeSantis also directed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to expedite permits and approvals for businesses affected by the hurricanes, ensuring that repairs to damaged structures are not delayed by red tape.
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“Governor DeSantis has a proven track record of helping communities recover quickly and rebuild fully after storms,” said Roger Young, Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “We are grateful for his leadership and support in assisting the fishing industry as it recovers from hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.”
In addition to infrastructure funding, the Governor announced discounts on fishing and hunting licenses to encourage Floridians to get back on the water and support the industry. These discounts include:
- 50% off short-term licenses for Floridians from October 25, 2024, to January 3, 2025, for annual and five-year multisport licenses for fishing and hunting.
- 50% off lifetime sportsman licenses for children up to 17 years of age:
- Age 4 or younger: $200 (normally $400)
- Ages 5 to 12: $350 (normally $700)
- Ages 13 to 17: $500 (normally $1,000)
- Annual saltwater and freshwater combo licenses for just $5.
Fishing plays a vital role in Florida’s economy, with the state leading the nation in saltwater fishing anglers, contributing $9.2 billion to the economy. The commercial fisheries industry alone brings in an annual dockside value of $244 million. Today’s announcement aims to help restore lost income and rebuild businesses and infrastructure that are integral to the state’s economy.
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