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Natural resources

Florida's Unique Position in Marine Conservation: Supporting Safe Seas Act and SUSHI Act

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the third most populous state in the United States, Florida's diverse and abundant fisheries are crucial drivers for tourism and the economy, with over 143 million visitors in 2024. The state boasts a significant number of registered recreational boats, fishing licenses, and commercial fishing permits, making it the premier fishing environment in the world. With over 2,000 employees committed to conserving wildlife for future generations, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is uniquely positioned to comment on federal legislation affecting marine conservation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Florida is home to over 500 species of marine life, 200 species of freshwater fish, and 575 species of wildlife, with a focus on managing these resources for conservation and sustainability.
  • FWC has a significant law enforcement division with 2,000 employees, patrolling 12,133 square miles of water and 53,927 square miles of land, to ensure public safety and compliance with fishing regulations.
  • The state has prohibited wildlife feeding in various areas, including state waters, and encourages shark ecotourism while ensuring public safety through guidelines from organizations like PADI and the Jupiter Dive Center.
  • FWC supports two federal bills: H.R. 3831, the "Florida Safe Seas Act," which adds Florida to the list of states and territories where shark feeding is prohibited, and H.R. 3706, the "Standards for Understanding Source and Habitat Identification Act," or "SUSHI Act," which aims to increase public safety by chemically tracing seafood and testing it on red snapper and tuna.
  • The legislation addresses a significant issue of IUU caught seafood entering the United States, which would benefit U.S. fishermen and the fishing industry.

Statistics:

  • 23.37 million residents and 143 million visitors in 2024 (rtle 391,780 visitors per day)
  • More than 1 million registered recreational boats in Florida
  • Over 2.5 million fishing licenses issued to residents and non-residents
  • Almost 9,000 commercial fishing licenses issued
  • 500 species of marine life, 200 species of freshwater fish, and 575 species of wildlife managed by FWC
  • 2,000 employees in the FWC law enforcement division
  • 12,133 square miles of water, 53,927 square miles of land, and 1,350 miles of coast patrolled by FWC

Sources:

  • The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries testimony by William Holcomb, Section Leader, Boating and Waterways, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • United States House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Hearing on H.R. 3831 and H.R. 3706, July 22, 2025
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Law Enforcement Division
  • Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI), Sharks and Rays Tourism webpage
  • Jupiter Dive Center, Florida
  • United States Attorney's Office, case against four Mexican fishermen for IUU caught red snapper

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