Conserve Florida's Marine Resources
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s mission is to manage Florida’s fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well being and the benefit of people. Every license sold contributes to this mission and provides the public with outstanding marine recreational opportunities. Purchasing a saltwater fishing license, even if you are exempt, will help support valuable programs such as Fisheries Research and Management, Fisheries and Artificial Reef Enhancement, Law Enforcement, and Education.
Law Enforcement
The Division of Law Enforcement receives funding from licenses to protect Florida’s aquatic resources and resource users. FWC officers are responsible for enforcing state boating, fish, and wildlife laws. They also have the authority to enforce all federal fish and wildlife laws. Visit The FWC Law Page for more information.
Marine Fisheries Research
This is a critical component of maintaining sustainable fish stocks and habitats (in addition to resource protection). Since knowing how to properly manage and protect our resources begins with understanding how our resources work, saltwater license funding supports applied research studies of marine species such as common snook, spotted seatrout, and tarpon. Visit The FWC Marine Fisheries Research Page for more information.
Marine Fisheries Enhancement
Research on marine fisheries stock enhancement allows biologists to focus on the breeding and rearing of game fish to improve or rebuild fisheries stocks. Almost one third of the license revenues are directed toward stock enhancement programs. To date, approximately six million redfish and 42 thousand snook have been released in Florida’s coastal waters. Visit The FWC Fisheries Enhancement Page for more information.
Artificial Reef Enhancement
License revenues also support artificial reef enhancement. This program provides technical aid and financial assistance to coastal municipalities and qualified non-profit organizations to develop, evaluate, and monitor public artificial reefs. Under this program, hundreds of artificial reefs have been deployed in state waters. Visit The FWC Reef Enhancement Page for more information.
Fisheries Management
Through public workshops, fisheries managers relay information collected from the various programs to recreational boaters and anglers. These public workshops provide stakeholders with the opportunity to comment on upcoming marine fisheries issues. Fisheries managers use the information gathered at the public workshops to provide FWC’s commission with recommendations about changing saltwater fishing regulations and creating management plans. Visit The FWC Page for scheduled workshops.
Education
A small portion of license revenues are directed toward educating and informing resource users about all the available programs. The goal is to use science as a foundation to increase the public’s participation in the management and preservation of Florida’s marine resources. Publications, posters, and Fishing Lines Magazine all use the knowledge gained from years of research to better inform resource users about Florida’s fascinating and valuable marine resources. For Outreach and Education events or for more information, please visit The FWC Education Page or call (850) 488-6058 for more information.