FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 21, 2004
CONTACT: Deena Wells, 850-245-2112

Governor Bush Applauds Work to Protect Florida's Oceans

-Agencies, partners reaffirm commitment to coastal protection--

TALLAHASSEE – Celebrating Oceans Day at the Florida Capitol, Governor Jeb Bush today joined environmental and marine industry leaders to reaffirm the state’s commitment to ocean protection. Recognizing the importance of clean water to Florida’s economy and quality of life, the State is strengthening coastal management and protection through sound science, conservation, restoration and education.

“Florida is a leader in coastal resource management,” said Governor Bush. “Expanding environmental protection to include Florida’s offshore jurisdictional boundaries protects our quality of life and safeguards the vitality of our ocean-based economy.”

The Department of Environmental Protection and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are spearheading the first comprehensive, coordinated approach to protecting water quality and marine habitat by focusing resources on four key areas of coastal protection:

Closing the Science Gap to Improve Environmental Management -- Recognizing the need to advance science-based ocean management, the State is expanding partnerships between research scientists, institutions and environmental managers to establish marine research priorities that protect the economic and environmental significance of Florida’s natural resources.

Establishing Partnerships to Enhance Recreation, Ecotourism and Commerce -- Combining public and private funds, State agencies and ecotourism operators are creating a saltwater paddling trail to steer residents and visitors around the Florida peninsula through the protected waters of Florida’s coastal parks.

Conserving and Restoring Critical Ocean Habitats – Florida is expanding conservation and restoration programs to increase protection for seagrass beds, marine fisheries and coral reefs, including $400,000 to preserve three reef tracts off the shores of southeast Florida.

Enhancing Stewardship through Education -- In partnership with Florida’s educational, research and environmental institutes, the State is increasing coastal and ocean education to instill a stronger sense of ocean stewardship in Florida’s citizens.

“Sound science provides the foundation for better understanding, managing and protecting the ocean environment,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “Florida is ready to lead a national response that will establish a framework for the long-term protection of critical ocean and marine resources.”

Governor Bush yesterday received the long-awaited report from the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, which called for a new national ocean policy that balances use with sustainability. Over the last five years, Governor Bush cut new gas and oil drilling leases off the state's west coast by 75 percent, significantly restricting offshore development near Florida's coasts. Ahead of schedule, Florida is returning a more natural flow of water to the Everglades, improving water quality in the Florida Bay. Environmental partnerships with marine industries are protecting water quality around the state.

Florida is home to 41 aquatic preserves, three of the nation’s 26 National Estuarine Research Reserves and one of the largest underwater refuges in the world. To further protect the near-shore waters of the Florida Keys, the state and federal governments designated the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary as a “no discharge zone” and established the Tortugas Ecological Reserve -- one of the world’s largest marine reserves.

Drawing millions of visitors each year, Florida’s clear waters, world-class beaches and coral reefs support a $53 billion tourism industry, a $14 billion marine industry and a fishing industry that injects more than $6.6 billion a year into Florida’s communities.