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A new year brings new opportunities to build upon the great successes of 2023. Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ steadfast leadership, Florida remained one of the country’s top destinations for world-class fishing, hunting and recreation this past year. The economic impact on our state through these opportunities is tremendous with nearly $15 billion contributing to our state’s economy. Governor DeSantis continues to make protecting Florida’s natural resources one of his top priorities. Because of his leadership, our conservation legacy will thrive for generations to come, and Florida will remain the Fishing and Boating Capital of the World.
At the direction of Governor DeSantis, through Executive Order 23-209, FWC and the Department of Environmental Protection partnered to provide 50% discounts on Gold Sportsman hunting and fishing licenses and annual state park passes to get more Florida families outdoors. Since the initiative began, FWC has sold a total of $17.7 million and 57,800 sportsman licenses with more than 15,000 being first-time license holders. This discount is available through January 13, 2024.
FWC Gold Sportsman licenses, which include saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, hunting privileges and all associated permits, are discounted by 50%, and available at the following rates, plus applicable fees:
- Annual Gold Sportsman – $50.75.
- Five-year Gold Sportsman – $247.75.
- Lifetime Sportsman License
- Age 4 or younger – $201.50.
- Ages 5–12 – $351.50.
- Ages 13 and older – $501.50
To learn more about the Great Outdoors Initiative and to purchase your annual park pass or sportsman license, visit: https://www.floridastateparks.org/Learn/Great-Outdoors-Initiative
While there were many successes for the FWC in 2023, a few are highlighted below:
Burmese Python Removal
The 2023 Florida Python Challenge® resulted in 209 Burmese pythons being removed from the Everglades ecosystem and increased awareness both nationally and internationally about invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology. For this year’s competition, 1,050 participants from 35 states and two countries registered to remove the invasive constrictors. Every python removed helps protect the Everglades and our native wildlife. The annual competition encourages the public to get directly involved in Everglades conservation through invasive species removal.
Within the past five years, thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis, the legislature, and partnerships with the South Florida Water Management District and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) held four annual Florida Python Challenge® events – in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. To date, over 20,000 wild Burmese pythons have been removed from Florida since 2000, with more than half of those since 2019.
Protection and Rehabilitation of Manatees
The FWC continues to dedicate resources to manatee care and rehabilitation. Under the Governor’s leadership, over $20 million was invested in the FY 2022-23 budget to enhance and expand the network of acute care facilities for the treatment of injured and distressed manatees. Further, an additional $8 million was appropriated to restore manatee access to springs and provide habitat restoration in manatee-concentrated areas. Together with our partners, the FWC conducted 493 manatee rescues statewide from Nov 2018 through Nov 2022.
Red Tide Mitigation and Research
Since Governor DeSantis took office, he has dedicated more than $14.5 million to the FWC-FWRI Center for Red Tide Research, which has funded more than 20 new collaborative projects to enhance monitoring and applied research associated with tracking, predicting and mitigating the effects of harmful algal blooms. In 2021, the cutting-edge experimental facility at Mote Aquaculture Research Park in Sarasota officially opened, allowing scientists to test compounds and technologies before pilot field implementation. The partnership between the FWC and the Mote Marine Laboratory will enable the development of technologies and approaches to control and mitigate red tide and its impacts.
These accomplishments and many more will continue to support Florida’s economy while providing residents and visitors numerous opportunities to enjoy all of Florida’s great outdoors.
For more information about these and other fish and wildlife conservation projects, visit MyFWC.com.
