Watch: The Gulf of America rolling gently on Destin’s shore
Watch the Gulf of America rolling onto Destin’s shore.
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will change all mentions of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” in official records.The change follows an executive order issued by President Trump on his first day in office.Other Florida agencies and politicians are also moving to adopt the name change, including renaming U.S. 41 to Gulf of America Trail.Environmental advocates have criticized the move, calling it a distraction from real environmental problems.
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will join the other Florida government agencies making hefty changes to government records to use the name “Gulf of America” in compliance with an executive order from President Donald Trump.
The FWC announced Thursday that it would rename the Gulf of Mexico in all commission materials, documents and rules to reflect its new name, the “Gulf of America.” The name change was officially established by executive order on Trump’s’ first day in office this year.
The Division of Marine Management, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Division of Law Enforcement and the Boating and Waterways Section within the Division of Law Enforcement all have responsibilities and programs that pertain directly to the Gulf. They are all expected to be affected by the changes.
“As a vital resource for the State of Florida and its citizenry, providing both recreational and economic opportunities through fishing, boating, tourism and other outdoor pursuits, the Gulf of America plays a significant role in our nation and state’s economy and leisure activities,” FWC Executive Director Roger Young said in a news release about the changes.
Florida moves swiftly to adopt the Gulf of America name change
The FWC is not alone. Other Florida government agencies and politicians are also moving quickly to implement changes brought forth by President Trump’s executive order that renamed the “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America” on Jan. 20.
Similarly to the FWC, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson has also directed his Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to enshrine the “Gulf of America” name change in all department documents.
State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, has filed a bill that would rename U.S. 41, also known as Tamiami Trail, to Gulf of America Trail. He abbreviates the name as GOAT, which stands for “greatest of all time,” in reference to Trump.
Tamiami Trail is named after the Florida cities it was built to connect, Tampa and Miami. It opened in 1928, and served as the main thoroughfare between the two major metros until construction of Interstate 75 decades later.
The bill also directs Florida school districts and charter school boards to use teaching materials that reflect the name “Gulf of America.” State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, R-Miami, filed a similar bill in the Florida House.
State Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, and House Republican Leader Tyler Sirois of Merritt Island, also filed bills that would change references in state laws from “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America.”
Those bills will be considered during the upcoming Florida legislative session, which is set to begin Tuesday, March 4.
Environmental advocates speak out against name change
Environmental advocates who often criticize the FWC over policies they say are not strong enough to protect the local environment quickly spurned adoption of the “Gulf of America” name change. Elise Bennett, who is both the Florida and Caribbean director at the Center for Biological Diversity, called the move an “embarrassment.”
“It’s a total embarrassment that Florida’s wildlife commission is wasting time and resources catering to Trump’s toxic, nationalist agenda,” Bennett said. “I want to see that same energy for conserving Florida’s black bears, gopher tortoises and wild places.”
Glenn Compton, director of the Southwest Florida environmental group Manasota-88, said he’d rather see the agency use any funds that would be spent on making the name change for the betterment of environmental causes.
“Renaming the Gulf of Mexico is not important. It’s a distraction away from the real problems facing Florida,” Compton said. “Renaming the Gulf does nothing to ensure adequate enforcement of existing public health and environmental protection laws or bring into compliance those that are violating such laws.
“Money would be better spent on adequately funding staff so public health and environmental protection agencies will achieve their stated missions, which is to protect Florida’s air, land and water,” he added.
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Publish date : 2025-02-28 01:04:00
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