(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) – Keep Florida Fishing®, an advocacy arm of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), is proud to announce their sponsorship of the fifth annual Lionfish Challenge hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
The 2019 Lionfish Challenge, established to encourage and reward recreational and commercial divers for removing lionfish from Florida waters, begins on Saturday, May 18 and continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 2. To register for the Lionfish Challenge visitFWCReefRangers.com.
“As a proud sponsor of the 2019 Lionfish Challenge, Keep Florida Fishing is excited to support efforts to combat this invasive species and protect Florida’s most precious resources,” said Gary Jennings, KFF’s Director. “We encourage Floridians to get involved in the fight against lionfish by participating in FWC’s Lionfish Challenge.”
This year, participants who submit the largest and smallest lionfish may be eligible to receive up to $3,000 in cash prizes thanks to support from sponsors: American Sportfishing Association, Yamaha Motor Company, Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County and National Marine Manufacturers Association.
“We are thankful for FWC’s continued dedication to lionfish control efforts through innovative events such as the Lionfish Festival and Challenge,” said Kellie Ralston, ASA’s Southeast Fisheries Policy Director. “Even if you are not a diver, you can help by sharing information about the negative impacts of invasive lionfish in order to encourage its removal and ensure that Florida remains the ‘Fishing Capital of the World’.”
In addition, FWC and the Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau are set to host the Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar and Harbor Walk Village in Destin. The two-day Festival features lionfish tastings, family-friendly games, local vendors and more. Check out the Festival’s Facebook page.
About Keep Florida Fishing®
Keep Florida Fishing® is an advocacy arm of the American Sportfishing Association with the goal of ensuring Florida anglers have clean waters, abundant fisheries and access to both. Florida is considered the ‘Fishing Capital of the World’ and home to more than four million licensed anglers, supporting 128,000 jobs, providing $9.6 billion in economic activity and contributing more than $53.3 million for fisheries conservation. Learn more at www.KeepFloridaFishing.org. Find Keep Florida Fishing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Contact: Kendra Parson, 850.391.5040, kendra@on3pr.com