If you don't fish, please forward this to friends and family that do. |
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Fishing has been and continues to be a way of life, throughout human history and definitely here in Florida. And for many, it is a way of sustenance, self-sufficiency -- survival. We teach our kids and grandkids all the fishing tips, insights, and best practices we can as a generational duty. We want them to not just be ready, but to enjoy the exciting, beautiful bounty of Florida waters, like we used to. It's no secret that our waters are dying. State-sanctioned pollution has done a number on seagrass and the fisheries dependent on a thriving habitat. Oxygen levels drop way too frequently, taking out way too many species and populations. We need an amendment to the Florida Constitution that prohibits state agencies from further harming our water. Whether it's our favorite fishing holes, seagrass nurseries, wetlands that filter and provide clean water, or the aquifers we drink from, a fundamental right to clean and healthy waters can put a stop to state-sanctioned pollution and destruction. Polluted, toxic waters also has dire economic consequences in Florida: "Florida is an incredibly important state for the sportfishing industry and is considered the Fishing Capital of the World. Our state attracts more than 4.3 million anglers who make fishing in Florida an economic engine that contributes nearly $14 billion in economic output and supports more than 120,000 jobs." (Martha Guyas, Southeast Fisheries Policy Director for the American Sportfishing Association) Listen in to two more Florida experts on this issue: |
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| | Blair Wickstrom, former Senior Editor for Florida Sportsman Magazine, Board President of VoteWater, etc. (see bio) | | |
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| | Laurilee Thompson, co-owner of Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant and former commercial fisherman (see bio) | | |
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This is a critical time in Florida's history -- a watershed moment. As anglers, as Floridians whose way of life and, for many, livelihoods depend on the health of our waters, here's what you can do to help: After you sign your petition and get your friends and family to do the same, Register here to attend the free, online All-Call to Anglers event on Wednesday, August 9th, 6pm Eastern. Take the CPR for Clean Water challenge! This is a statewide "tournament" and chance to give your two cents about why clean water is so important to you -- through CPR (Catch - Photo - Release) images, during the month of August only. See details in the graphic below. Help spread the word on social media; follow us and share posts that resonate with you on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok. Consider volunteering by registering with the campaign or donating what you can to help expand our reach. Sound the call. Organize an event! Check out the ripples Captain Adam Morley (of Genung's Fish Camp and Flagler Sportfishing Club) is already making in his area. You'll also see Coastal Angler Magazine inserting a petition form in the 180,000 issues they distributed statewide this month. Get with one of their distribution points -- your favorite bait & tackle shop -- and create a petition party. Throw a fundraiser at your local marina. Grab a friend and walk down local piers to collect signatures. Write an article in your local / regional paper on this. Create a video selfie and post your own call to action. Or, hang tight after our All-Call to Anglers Zoom event, and we'll record your testimonial then and there! Need signs or someone to speak specifically to the proposed amendment? Just holler, we'll hook you up with everything you need.
Bottom line: TAKE THE INITIATIVE in creating opportunities for people to not just sign their petitions, but to pick up the ball of spreading awareness and running with it. Get creative. We NEED all hands on deck to make this happen, collecting 900k signed petitions before the year's end. WILL YOU HELP? |
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