AS SEEN IN THE JAN/FEB 2008 ISSUE 

CCA Florida Announces 2007 Legislative Conservation Awards - Wright Taylor

Florida’s lawmakers really know how to make my blood boil. To think that certain laws could be passed that would put our wildlife in danger just doesn't seem comprehensible to me. Sometimes I feel that orange groves and theme parks are the only things that seem to matter; and then there's golf. Oh well, enough of my personal opinions…

The Coastal Conservation Association of Florida has selected five state legislators to receive Legislative Conservation Awards in recognition of their support for marine fisheries conservation issues during the 2007 Legislative session. “We are very pleased to recognize these individuals,” said George Geiger, CCA Florida Chairman. “Because of their efforts, legislation relating to important fishery issues was passed in acceptable form or did not pass committee hearings.”

Legislators chosen to receive CCA Florida 2007 Conservation Awards are:

Senator Paula Dockery                     (R - Lakeland)

Senator Dennis Jones                        (R - Seminole)

Senator Ken Pruitt                             (R - Port St. Lucie)

Representative Andy Gardiner         (R - Orlando)

Representative Stan Mayfield          (R - Vero Beach)

During the 2007 Legislative session, CCA Florida worked to block bad legislation which would adversely affect the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) independent constitutional authority and helped pass legislation which provides additional funding for the FWC. The FWC's primary bill for hunting and fishing license increases passed near the end of the session and it provides some increases in the non-resident and resident saltwater licenses.

CCA Florida led the charge 17 years ago to pass legislation establishing the saltwater fishing license. “The saltwater license became the first dedicated funding source for marine fisheries management, research and law enforcement, and has provided more than 150 million dollars to those programs,” said Ted Forsgren, CCA Florida Executive Director.

Several times over the past 17 years, there have been legislative attempts to remove spending safeguards on saltwater fishing licenses. This year, the original House version removed the safeguards. CCA Florida opposed the change and the safeguards were restored to the House bill.

There were two bills filed that would have had major adverse impacts on the independent, constitutional authority of the FWC. One would have placed a constitutional amendment on the ballot to abolish the FWC and create a new non-constitutional, statutory Department of Interior which would regulate fish, wildlife and other environmental issues. In other words, the Legislature could change game fish regulations for snook and redfish.

Another bill would have created a constitutional amendment establishing legal restrictions which would impede the FWC's ability to act in advance to protect fisheries before a collapse or other crisis occurs.

Both bills were adamantly opposed by CCA Florida, and the bills were not even heard in their first committee of reference in the Senate. “These legislators have always been there to help us on fishery conservation issues, and their leadership and support was instrumental in our 2007 legislative efforts,” said Forsgren. “We greatly appreciate all that they have done.” 

This upcoming election year, be sure to listen to what the candidates have to say. CCA Florida cannot and will not tell you who you should support, but you can listen to what the candidates have to say and make your own educated decisions. If you do not hear them talking about the issues that are important to you, call or write them and let them know what you are concerned about. After all, they work for you.

To join CCA Florida, visit our newly revised website, www.CCAFlorida.org. There you can find CCA’s advocacy positions on important issues and loads of other interesting information.

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