ASA Funds Three Projects Through Shimano Contribution

American Sportfishing Association's Keep Florida Fishing funds three projects through Shimano, Inc. Contribution

Keep Florida Fishing®, (KFF) an advocacy arm of the American Sportfishing Association, received a generous contribution from Shimano, Inc. to celebrate Shimano's more than 50 years in the United States and 40-year anniversary of Shimano-branded tackle. Working in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Keep Florida Fishing identified three projects that will be funded by the contribution.



On April 7, KFF presented a check for the first of the three projects to FWC Commissioner Gary Lester and FWC Freshwater Fisheries Director, Tom Champeau, at the Florida Black Bass Conservation Center in Webster, Florida. The grant will be used to help support the construction of a new boardwalk. The project is being spearheaded by Eagle Scout candidate Tristan Carreiro with support from FWC.



“ASA would like to thank Shimano, Inc. for their financial contribution to Keep Florida Fishing and for their ongoing support for Florida's waters and our more than three million anglers. We worked closely with FWC to find projects related to our mission of clean waters, abundant fisheries and access to both, and these dollars will allow several priority projects to be funded,” said Gary Jennings, Director of Keep Florida Fishing.



The second check will be presented to FWC to help with the Bent Range Marker maintenance and upkeep in Miami Beach on April 25. Bent Range Marker is a popular bait gathering spot for those heading offshore to fish and was slated to be removed by the U.S. Coast Guard before an agreement was reached for FWC to take over its upkeep. The remaining dollars will be used to supply nets to stop bird predation of seatrout, snook and redfish at the Apollo Beach saltwater hatchery.



“Keep Florida Fishing is extremely grateful for Shimano's financial support to help improve fishing in the state of Florida. This donation will go a long way in supporting these three projects, and we look forward to the positive impact on Florida's environment and angler community,” said Kellie Ralston, Florida Fisheries Policy Director of the American Sportfishing Association.

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 three 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.



About American Sportfishing Association®

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry's trade association committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing and boating industries as well as the entire sportfishing community. ASA also gives America's 46 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation's waterways through Keep America Fishing®, our national angler advocacy campaign. America's anglers generate more than $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people.