Tallahassee, Fla. – Wednesday night, 22 Florida legislators were recognized with awards for their sponsorship of 2023 legislation to establish a constitutional Right to Fish and Hunt, which would declare that fish and hunting “shall be preserved forever as a public right” and are the preferred means for “responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife.” This legislatively referred constitutional amendment will be on the ballot on November 5, 2024, as Amendment 2.
The awards were presented during a Conservation at the Capitol event hosted by a consortium of 20 sportsmen and conservation groups, including the American Sportfishing Association, All Florida, Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, Florida Guides Association and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.
Recognized were:
- Senator Jason Brodeur
- Senator Travis Hutson
- Representative Lauren Melo
- Representative Adam Anderson
- Representative Webster Barnaby
- Representative Fabian Basabe
- Representative Dean Black
- Representative Adam Botana
- Representative Jennifer Canady
- Representative Lindsay Cross
- Representative Dan Daley
- Representative Sam Killebrew
- Representative Tom Leek
- Representative Randy Maggard
- Representative Jim Mooney
- Representative Toby Overdorf
- Representative Alex Rizo
- Representative Rick Roth
- Representative Jason Shoaf
- Representative David Smith
- Representative Allison Tant
- Representative Kaylee Tuck
Florida is considered the Fishing Capital of the World attracting more than 4.3 million anglers, who help make fishing in Florida an economic engine that contributes nearly $14 billion in economic output and supports more than 120,000 jobs. Roughly 25 percent of all fishing manufacturers’ business occurs in Florida, which has made Florida home to ICAST, the world’s largest sportfishing tackle trade show.
Martha Guyas, Southeast Fisheries Policy Director for the American Sportfishing Association, presents an award to Rep. Jennifer Canady for her support of legislation that establishes a constitutional Right to Fish and Hunt.
Keep Florida Fishing’s Gary Jennings stands with Rep. Randy Maggard after he received an award for his support of legislation that establishes a constitutional Right to Fish and Hunt.
Rep. Lauren Melo, sponsor of the 2023 legislation to establish a constitutional Right to Fish and Hunt, speaking at the Conservation at the Capitol event on February 21, 2024.
About Keep Florida Fishing®
Keep Florida Fishing® is an advocacy arm of the American Sportfishing Association with the goal of ensuring Florida anglers have clean waters, abundant fisheries and access to both. Learn more on our website.
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