NOTE:  In 2004 the Agency Reorganized and Darrell Scovell became Director of  Freshwater Fisheries Management and Ed Moyer moved on to head up agency-wide Habitat Restoration Programs

Ed Moyer, who began his fisheries career as a fish management specialist with the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC) in 1973, has landed the lunker job of his life. This trophy is bound to give him a tussle, but he has the experience and character to handle it, and in the process make fishing more enjoyable for all of us.

He is the new number one man overseeing Florida’s freshwater fisheries. Moyer replaced Dr. Jerry Shireman, who held the post since August 1995. Moyer graduated from the University of Florida in 1967, with a bachelor of science degree in microbiology. In 1975, he studied zoology at Florida Southern University in Lakeland. He is certified as a fisheries scientist by the American Fisheries Society and is a member of the Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society.

As a GFC biologist, Moyer spent most of his time in Kissimmee. There he was involved in early effort to develop the lake drawdown technique under the tutelage of Vince Williams and Bucky Wegener. Moyer himself was responsible for several new innovations in lake restoration including proposing and implementing the first major muck removal programs that we know of in the world. This technique allowed revitalization of thousands of acres of spawning habitat in the Kissimmee Chain and has contributed greatly to keeping these lakes some of the best bass and bream fishing havens anywhere.

In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Moyer worked to smooth the transition from the days when the GFC managed aquatic vegetation to the new system where other agencies and contractors are responsible for aquatic plants. He was instrumental in ensuring that field biologists worked closely with the spray crews, permitting agency and public to find a workable balance of vegetation control that protected fisheries habitat and ensured navigation.

Moyer was not only an innovative scientist while he was in the field. His interpersonal skills allowed him to set up partnerships with the city and county, with the water management districts, other state agencies and the Corps of Engineers. His integrity and determination assured proper permitting for a whole series of restoration projects and leveraged the GFCs million dollar ante into restoration projects that cost over five million dollars and generated countless hours of recreational fishing that stimulated the local economy. As a project leader, he realized the importance of delegating work and responsibility to the outstanding team of biologists around him and sought to incorporate their ideas. Burning as a way of consolidating muck prior to removal and the development of in-lake islands for habitat diversity are examples of such thinking. Moyer also recognizes the importance of integrating fisheries management into what some might call ecosystem management, so that his restoration projects helped enhance habitat for a variety of wildlife, including endangered species.

Prior to being named Director of the Division of Fisheries, Ed Moyer spent two years as regional director of GFC’s Panama City office. In that capacity, he had the opportunity to learn additional executive management skills and more about working with the Legislature.

In his new capacity, he hopes to increase fishing opportunities for anglers and try to make fishing a family-oriented activity. "I'd like to open more fishing areas that are convenient to families throughout the state, so they can spend more time fishing," he said. Moyer plans to stay the course pursuing a goal of "Optimum-Sustained Use" of Florida’s freshwater fisheries. He clearly recognizes the importance of each leg of the fisheries management triad--habitat, people and fish management--in achieving this goal.

His efforts can be counted on to enhance fisheries habitat and open new areas, especially to family fishing. He’ll use regulations and education to manage the tremendous pressure from human population growth in Florida, and he’ll work to improve hatcheries so that the fish populations themselves can be effectively supplemented where appropriate.

Moyer is an avid angler, who enjoys bream fishing as well as tracking down lunker bass while wading the Kissimmee lakes that he has helped to restore. Moyer and his wife, Jane, have two sons, Matthew, 23, and Michael, 19. He bought his youngest son a five-year fishing license for his graduation and understands the quality time associated with fishing.

Now that he’s landed this lunker job, you can count on him to be making fishing better for all of us.