The Importance of Partnerships in Urban Fisheries

Authors: Jim Sweatman, Paul Thomas, and Marcos DeJesus

Partnerships are critical to getting the results needed in order to have an effective urban fishing program. Over the past decade, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has used partnerships in various aspects of urban fishery management including regulation development, stocking fish, habitat enhancement, access projects, water body maintenance and promotions.  Partners used in these activities fell into one of four categories: local government cooperators, private sponsors, community groups and civic groups. Examples of creative partnerships included a boat rental program involving Bass Pro Shops and the City of Orlando, using a high school crew team to build floating fishing piers, engaging local parks to purchase and distribute fish feed at “Baited Fishing Area” signs, and recruiting the Safari Club International to build outreach trailers that have been used to reach thousands of youths in family fishing events.   Partnership success was predicated on establishing good relationships and constantly adjusting to the changing needs of both the urban fishery program and the partner.