Florida wins if President Trump protects the country’s forage fish | Column

Floridians understand the value of clean water, healthy fish populations, and vibrant coastal economies. Our way of life — and a major part of our state’s economy — depends on it. That’s why leading sportfishing and conservation organizations are calling on President Trump to take executive action to protect America’s forage fish. This long-overdue step will be a game-changer in safeguarding the foundation of marine ecosystems in Florida and coastal states nationwide.

Forage fish — species like menhaden, herring, mackerel, shad and river herring — may be small in size, but their role in the ocean is enormous. They feed on plankton and, in turn, feed everything from tarpon, snook, and redfish to whales, dolphins, and seabirds. Tarpon in particular rely on forage fish during their annual migrations. Without abundant forage fish, predators starve. And when predator populations decline, so do the opportunities for anglers, guides and coastal businesses that rely on marine-related tourism.

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