Document ID: EPA-HQ-OW-2009-0596-2537
Agency: epa
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Posted Date: 2010-12-06T05:00Z

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      		  <div id="insideHeaderText">Go Fish Georgia Initiative</div>
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                          <h3>Go Fish Georgia Initiative - Additional Information</h3>
              <p>Go Fish Georgia is a $30 million initiative that will leverage $19 million in state funds with private donations and financial support from local communities. This program will boost economic development in many small towns and establish Georgia as a national fishing destination.</p>

<p><img height="121" width="184" src="./Georgia DNR 2008_files/goFishLogo.jpg" alt=""></p>

<p><a href="http://www.georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/uploads/legacy_assets/Documents/GoFishGeorgia/ProgramOverview.pdf">Overview of the Go Fish Georgia Program</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/uploads/legacy_assets/Documents/GoFishGeorgia/GFGIBrochure_7.08.pdf">Program Brochure</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/uploads/legacy_assets/Documents/GoFishGeorgia/FacilitySiteMap.pdf">Go Fish Georgia Facility Site Map</a></p>

<h3>What is the Go Fish Georgia Initiative?</h3>

<p>The purpose of the Go Fish Georgia Initiative is to promote and enhance boating and fishing tourism and to boost economic development in communities across the state. This initiative will result in a quality fisheries resource statewide, including family friendly fishing and recreation access points that will increase fishing participation in Georgia.</p>

<p>Fishing tournaments are a growing economic force in the nation. A single large tournament can contribute several million dollars to a local economy. Currently, all neighboring states attract more large bass fishing tournaments than Georgia. Georgia is the sixth highest among states in sending resident anglers to other states and 21st in attracting non-resident anglers. A better quality fishery would encourage those anglers to spend their dollars here. Georgia is also home to the world record largemouth bass (22 lbs., 4 oz. caught by George W. Perry on June 2, 1932). This catch presents a significant attraction for bass anglers.</p>

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        <hr class="divider">                  <h3>Go Fish Georgia Goals</h3>
              <p><strong>Goal 1: Improve Access to Georgia Waters</strong></p>

<p>Bass Trail<br>The Go Fish Georgia Initiative will improve access to Georgia’s waters by the development of the Georgia Bass Trail. This 15-stop trail will provide a statewide system of large boating access areas capable of supporting large tournament events, and normal boating and fishing activities on major water bodies. Each site will provide its own unique bass fishing experience. Development of this trail will not require land acquisition in most cases. Sites and facilities will vary in size depending on the size of the water body. The economic impact of individual tournaments ranges from hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single-day event and up to $27 million for a championship multiple day event.<br><a href="http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/1239">Fishing Tournaments</a></p>

<p><em>Family Friendly Access</em><br>The Go Fish Georgia Initiative will promote family friendly fishing opportunities by developing new boating access to water bodies in Georgia where access currently limits fishing and other uses. It will also improve access to currently under-utilized smaller reservoirs that have untapped fishing potential as well as add amenities and improve maintenance at existing access sites.</p>

<p><em>Virtual Access Guide</em><br>The development of fishing guides, maps and other products useful to anglers and boaters that are Web-accessible will improve the use of Georgia waters.</p>

<p><strong>Goal 2: Increase Fishing Participation by Promoting Georgia Resources</strong></p>

<p><em>Go Fish Education Center</em><br>The centerpiece of the efforts to promote fishing and increase participation is the new <a href="http://www.gofisheducationcenter.com/">Go Fish Education Center</a>. Centrally located in Perry, Ga., at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, the center features aquaria and other exhibits, a hatchery, a stocked fishing pond, interpretive trails and classrooms. The facility opened Oct. 8, 2010.</p>

<p><em>Partnerships</em><br>The Go Fish Georgia program will encourage sportfishing and conservation ethics through regular interaction with organized angler groups.</p>

<p><strong>GOAL 3: Improve Quality of Fishing in Georgia</strong></p>

<p><em>Improve Fish Stocks</em><br>The Go Fish Georgia Initiative will improve the quality of fishing in Georgia waters by managing and/or stocking additional forage species in Georgia reservoirs and rivers. This will increase sport fish growth rates and production. Existing warm water hatchery facilities are at maximum capacity to support current programs. The research and fish production necessary to improve the quality of fishing in Georgia will require additional production ponds and the construction of a new, state-of-the-art hatchery and research facility. The construction of a new, state-of-the-art hatchery/research facility will be required.</p>

<p><em>Improve Habitat</em><br>The Go Fish Georgia Initiative will increase productivity in state-owned lakes through a fertilization program - a current major factor in sustaining high quality angling on state-owned public fishing area lakes. It will also improve habitat in publicly owned small impoundments through fertilization, structure and other improvements to increase growth rates of fish. The program will also improve fish habitat in reservoirs and rivers through the introduction of native aquatic vegetation, other natural habitat components or artificial structures.</p>                </div>
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        <hr class="divider">                  <h3>Dollars & Cents</h3>
              <ul><li>Resident and non-resident anglers currently spend about $569 million each year on fishing in Georgia.</li><li>The economic effect of angler spending is about $1.5 billion.</li><li>There are 10,649 jobs related to sport fishing in Georgia, which generates $15 million in state income taxes, and $19 million in state sales taxes.</li><li>A major bass fishing tournament can have a $4-5 million economic impact on the local community. A championship event can have a $27 million economic impact.</li></ul>

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    <table><tbody><tr><td><h4>Buy a Tag!</h4><p>You Give, They Live.<br>Support Georgia Wildlife</p></td> <td style="padding-left:20px;"><a href="http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/2313"><img height="85" width="85" style="border:medium none;" src="./Georgia DNR 2008_files/homeTag.gif" alt=""></a></td>                      </tr><tr><td colspan="2"><a href="http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/2313">Buy Your Tag ></a></td></tr></tbody></table>

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<table><tbody><tr><td><img height="70" width="70" src="./Georgia DNR 2008_files/royal_tern_ pair_NGHP.jpg" alt=""></td><td valign="middle" align="left" style="padding-left:10px;"><h4>Gift for Wildlife</h4><p>Donate to the  NonGame<br>Wildlife Conservation Fund   <a href="http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/339">More  Info ></a><a href="http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/339"><br></a></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

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<table style="width:229px;height:103px;"><tbody><tr><td width="92" align="left" colspan="2"><h4>Go Fish Education Center</h4></td></tr><tr><td width="92"><a href="http://www.gofisheducationcenter.com/" target="_blank"><img height="72" width="90" style="border:medium none;" src="./Georgia DNR 2008_files/gfeclogo_w_border2.jpg" alt=""></a></td><td valign="top" align="left" style="padding-left:10px;">Is Now Open.<br><br><a href="http://www.gofisheducationcenter.com/" target="_blank">Learn More ></a></td></tr></tbody></table>

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<table><tbody><tr><td><h4>LICENSES - 3 Ways to Buy</h4></td>                     </tr><tr><td>1. Phone 1-800-366-2661</td>                     </tr><tr><td>2. Online - <a target="_blank" href="https://www4.wildlifelicense.com/ga/start.php">here</a></td>                     </tr><tr><td>3. Retail License Vendor listing - <a target="_blank" href="http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/licenseagents.asp">here</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

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