Gov. Crist announces free saltwater fishing weekends
News Release
Friday, May 28, 2010
Media contact: Lee Schlesinger, 850-487-0554
Gov. Charlie Crist has announced two free fishing
weekends to help draw visitors to the beautiful Sunshine State.
Both residents and nonresidents in Florida can fish for saltwater
species around the state without a license during the upcoming
Memorial Day weekend, May 29 to May 31, and the weekend of June 5
and 6, which is the first weekend after Florida's popular red
snapper season opens in the Gulf on June 1. All other fishing rules
apply.
"Florida is the fishing capital of the world,"
Crist declared, "and our beaches are clean, the fish are biting,
and we invite our friends to enjoy some Florida hospitality."
Chairman Rodney Barreto of the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) applauded the governor's
decision.
"Gov. Crist's actions to offer free fishing this
weekend and next will do wonders for our business communities that
have been suffering cancellations since the oil spill started,"
Barreto said. "We aren't experiencing any oil impacts here, and the
fact remains that Florida is open for business."
The FWC will continue to monitor all of the
potential impacts of the oil spill on Florida's fish and wildlife
and continue to be involved with many aspects of the oil spill
response, Barreto added. In addition, the FWC has consulted with
key representatives from several fishing organizations in Florida
who are very concerned about inaccurate public perceptions
regarding the condition of Florida's fisheries and the state's
marine environment. There has been strong agreement from
these stakeholders that the fishing business in Florida is "as
usual" and that fishing remains a safe and viable recreational and
commercial activity.
Go to MyFWC.com/Fishing to learn about fishing
regulations in Florida.
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