Go Fish Education Center December 8, 2011 Jeremy Wixson
Go Fish Education Center 1 of every 7 Georgians fish 1 $1.9 billion impact and $1.1 billion in retail sales 2 $116 million generated in state sales taxes 2 Supports 16,881 jobs 2 1 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation 2 Sportfishing in America 2008 revision, American Sportfishing Association Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center 1.29 million residents of Georgia participate in fishing. Georgia s fishing resources include: 4,000 miles of trout streams 12,000 miles of warm-water streams 500,000 acres of impoundments Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center Georgia is home to seven world record fish: Largemouth Bass: 22 lbs, 4 oz Shoal Bass: 8 lbs, 3 oz Suwanee Bass: 3 lbs, 9 oz Yellow Bullhead: 4 lbs, 15 oz Chain Pickerel: 9 lb, 6 oz Redfin Pickerel: 2 lb, 10 oz Flier: 1 lb, 4 oz Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center Georgia ranks 22 nd in the nation for attracting non-resident anglers All neighboring states attract more nonresident anglers than Georgia Georgia ranks 5 th in the nation for our resident anglers to travel to other states to fish. Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center Increased participation in fishing in Georgia would help stimulate rural economies. In 2007, Governor Perdue announced the Go Fish Georgia Initiative. The Go Fish Initiative is designed to make Georgia more competitive as a fishing destination. Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center Increased participation in fishing in Georgia would help stimulate rural economies. In 2007, Governor Perdue announced the Go Fish Georgia Initiative. The Go Fish Initiative is designed to make Georgia more competitive as a fishing destination. Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center There is a three pronged approach to the Go Fish Initiative: Improve the quality of fishing in Georgia waters Improve access to quality fishing locations Increasing participation through active education and marketing of Georgia s fishing resources Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center The Go Fish Education Center is designed to educate the public and market the opportunities available to enjoy fishing in Georgia. The Go Fish Education Center opened on October 8, 2010 Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center The Go Fish Education Center has many things to offer visitors: A high definition movie featuring Georgia s fishing resources. Freshwater aquariums featuring fish and habitat from the four eco-regions of Georgia o Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Blackwater Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center Replica mounts of State Record fish caught in Georgia Interactive Fishing and Hunting simulators Antique lures and fish mounts Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center Information on how and where to fish Educational Programs for school field trips, which meet the school s educational requrements Casting Pond, where children and adults can try their hand at fishing Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center Live alligators and turtles A state of the art fish hatchery which will primarily focus on Georgia s black bass, as well as walleye, sturgeon and other species native to Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center The passes that will be available at your libraries will allow the public to see what we have to offer. You will be partners in promoting the family friendly sport of fishing in Georgia. Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Go Fish Education Center Visit us on our Website: www.gofisheducationcenter.com Questions? Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division