In Florida, tourism is more than just big business — it is THE business. According to VISIT FLORIDA , the state's tourism department, visitors contribute more than $96.5 billion to the economy here and support 1.6 million jobs.
That's far more than mining ($2.7 billion), agriculture ($7.3 billion) and forestry ($25 billion) contribute to the state economy.
Considering the Sunshine State has no state income tax, it means the state depends even more heavily on tourism. Sales tax pays to operate many government services and programs.
But what if the people didn't come? What if the very reason most families choose to travel to Florida were taken away? How would the state's visitor-dependent economy survive?
Perhaps it wouldn't.
Florida is dependent upon clean water. It is the state's lifeblood — it's very reason to exist. In fact, the banner photo on VISIT FLORIDA's home page features a family frolicking in ankle deep azure blue water at a beach.
If only that scene were commonplace. This year has been brutal for Florida's water quality.
This past summer and spring, many have found it undesirable to take a dip or wet a line in our waters. Here's why:
Red tide on the Gulf of Mexico beaches of Pinellas CountyToxic cyanobacteria coating parts of Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee RiverPhosphate mining wastewater leaking into Manatee County waterwaysA massive red tide-induced fish kill throughout Tampa Bay A brown tide fish kill in the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County A record die-off of manatees in state waters Red tide now "moving" into Sarasota County waters Flow at Ichetucknee Springs in Columbia County is very low A dead tarpon lying on a beach or the sight of a starving manatee is a sure way to ruin a Midwestern family's visit to coastal Florida. It's a safe bet next year's family vacation will be booked for the Outer Banks, Martha's Vineyard or South Texas.
According to a University of Florida study on the impact of the 2018 red tide on Southwest Florida , revenues for the charter fishing industry in the region were down more than 61%. Marine businesses connected to them — bait and tackle stores, marinas, boat dealers — were down 36%. The study surveyed businesses in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Monroe, Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.
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Recreational fishing in Florida represents a $13.8 billion contribution to Florida's tourist economy. Saltwater fishing accounts for $9.2 billion of that. No one wants to fish, kayak, paddleboard or take an ecotour where the water looks like slime or smells like raw sewage.
Gov. Ron DeSantis began his administration with a focus on fixing Florida's waterways. The first executive order he signed in 2019 laid the foundation for sustained success. While some of the goals are on pace, more has to be done faster to break the streak of what has become an annual trend.
The manatee population cannot survive another year like 2021. Neither can the game fish or forage fish populations, or the other marine organisms and shore birds that feed on them.
The state Legislature, the governor's office and all government agencies must work together and more efficiently to protect and clean the waters of Florida. All Floridians, and the state's economy, depend on it.
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