Florida’s sportfishing industry is a huge part of the local economy. Florida is the most popular sportfishing destination in the country. Maintaining a healthy fish population and their habitats is very important to Florida’s economy and the continued success of the sport. Florida’s Marine Fisheries has come up with a plan to bolster the sport fish population that without help would become over fished.

The plan includes creating several networked hatcheries on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. With the network of hatcheries, it is also necessary to restore their habitats. The marine animals need their habitats including seagrasses, salt marshes, oyster beds and reefs. These habits provide food and shelter for the species being produced. Many of these habitats have been lost or damaged.

Coastal Conservation Association Florida is an organization working to protect the state’s marine resources. They also believe that education about fisheries is important to preserving the sport. Hubbs-Seaworld Research Institute is a non-profit organization providing solutions to conflicts between human activity and the natural world. They seek solutions that protect marine animals while benefiting people with their attachment to the marine world. The University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science is known for its research in marine biology and geology.

The Marine Fisheries Enhancement Initiative is a program supervised by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It is a public-private partnership to ensure that recreational fishing opportunities in Florida keep its status as the fishing capital of the world.