FLORIDA BASS CONSERVATION CENTER SEEKING SPONSORS

NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

FWC SEEKING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR
FLORIDA BASS CONSERVATION CENTER

April 4, 2002
CONTACT: Bob Wattendorf (850) 488-0331

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking financial support to help fund the Florida Bass Conservation Center (FBCC) at the Richloam Hatchery in Sumter County.

Ed Moyer, director of FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries, came up with the idea of the FBCC to help propagate and conserve Florida's largemouth bass. Florida bass are a unique subspecies of largemouth black bass native only to central and south Florida. They are characterized by faster growth and greater potential to reach trophy size, as well as being a more challenging opponent for anglers than their northern cousin. In addition, Florida is home to the Suwannee and shoal basses, which are unique southern adaptations of the black bass.

“The renovation of the old Richloam Hatchery and appropriately funding operations will be a major factor in retaining Florida’s status as “Fishing Capital of the World,” Moyer said.

The FWC estimates the cost for the new state-of-the-art rearing, research facility and visitor’s center at $15 million and hopes to obtain funding through public and private partnerships. A federal grant will cover $3.3 million of the initial cost, provided the state will match that amount. The resulting $6.6 million would cover the initial expansion phase.

“At first that sounds pricey,” Moyer said. “But freshwater sportfishing in Florida provided recreational opportunities for more than 1.14 million people over age 16 and generated an economic output of $1.4 billion in 1996. Additionally, Florida freshwater recreational fishing generated 18,873 jobs with earnings of $392 million in 1996. Of the 663,000 angling trips in Florida, that year, bass fishing accounted for 69 percent.”

Conservation of Florida bass will depend on research into their genetics, disease issues (such as the bass virus) and enhanced stocking options to ensure the future of these unique fishes, and improve the recreational enjoyment of millions of resident and non-resident anglers and help Florida’s local economies, Moyer said.

Private funds would be used for a $5 million visitor’s center, which is expected to generate up to $2 million annually in local economic impact and help support 38 jobs. The center would serve entertainment and educational functions as well and feature ponds for high-quality hands-on fishing.

“To make the visitor’s center a reality the support of individual anglers and fishing-related businesses is needed,” Moyer said. “The Wildlife Foundation of Florida (WFF), a public support organization for the FWC, has set up a special FBCC fund. The fund will be used to help plan, construct and operate all aspects of the FBCC and to set up an endowment for grant-funded research on bass management and conservation. Three sponsors have already stepped forward to help.”

Three initial sponsors include:

eAngler.com, an internet company where fishing enthusiasts from all over the world can find information on all aspects of fishing, as well as opportunities to purchase fishing-related products and services. eAngler.com is a sponsor of Florida's freshwater "Big Catch" angler recognition program, and sells instant Florida fishing licenses online. eAngler.com President Mike Davis has set up a shopping cart feature allowing individuals to donate online to the FBCC. The donation is tax-deductible, and no sales taxes or handling fees are added. To donate, go to eAngler.com and search for FBCC, it will take you to the shopping cart, and you can make a secure donation that will be transmitted to the WFF’s FBCC fund.
The "Big Bass Record Club" (BBRC), a club where amateur bass anglers throughout the world can fish anytime and anyplace they choose and possibly win cash for their bass catches, even if they release the fish. BBRC sponsors the "Go Fishing" bass tag for your vehicle or trailer by giving a free t-shirt to anyone who buys the tag, which helps fund fish and wildlife conservation throughout Florida. President Mickey Owens offers membership discounts to Florida fishing license holders and contributes $3 to the WFF’s FBCC fund for every Florida member of the club.
Uneek Fishing Group, Inc., the parent company for Southern Bass Trails and its subsidiaries. Uneek has agreed to donate $2 on behalf of every angler that registers to participate in a Southern Bass Trail tournament in Florida to the WFF’s FBCC fund. Pat Strickland, the president, is challenging other tournament groups to do the same.

Moyer said the big prize though is still waiting for a corporation that wants to step up as a million-dollar sponsor of the FBCC and see its name associated with the future of bass conservation, not only in Florida but also throughout the country.

Businesses that would like to develop an agreement to sponsor the FBCC, can contact Bob Wattendorf, marketing coordinator for FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries, at (850) 488-0520.

For more information about the FBCC, to fill out an opinion survey or to make an online donation visit www.floridafisheries.org/fbcc/.

2003 Update
Bass Values
Bass Facts
FBCC Proposal Update, by Herb Allen
FBCC Funding Approved by FWC
FBCC Economic Impact
FBCC Opinion Survey
FBCC Power Point Presentation, by Ed Moyer (This is a large file viewed best with IE 4 or better)
Make a Donation

Take Me Fishing.org is a great general information site for recreational anglers and boaters.

Florida Fishing Capital of the World--Great Resources, Responsible Management