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Senate Resolution

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A resolution recognizing March 12, 2008, as "Florida

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Oceans Day" in the State of Florida.

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     WHEREAS, Florida has the second-longest coastline among the

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fifty states, having a total of 1,350 miles of coastline, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida's shoreline economy Gross State Product

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(GSP) is estimated to be approximately $402 billion annually, two

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and a half times the estimated $160 billion of its inland economy

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and representing 77 percent of the state's total economy, and

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     WHEREAS, by the year 2015, Florida's projected ocean tourism

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and recreation is expected to grow by 73 percent, creating more

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than 268,000 new jobs, and

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     WHEREAS, from 1990 to 2003, Florida's coastal counties

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increased employment by 31 percent, increased wages by 48

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percent, and increased the GSP by 63 percent, far faster than the

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State of California, the Gulf States, or the nation, and

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     WHEREAS, the oceans and coastal resources of the state are

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held in trust for the people of the state and should be managed

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for the benefit of current and future generations, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida relies on its ocean and coastal systems for

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the welfare of its residents, and it is critical to work with

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many groups, including the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council,

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the Florida Ocean Alliance, and the Florida Coastal and Ocean

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Coalition, to improve the stewardship of the state's invaluable

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coastal resources, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida's coastal counties contribute more than 70

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percent of the state's employment, population, and housing while

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covering only 56 percent of the state's land areas, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida ranks as the number one place to travel in

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the nation for Americans that swim, fish, dive, and otherwise

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enjoy the state's beaches, coastal wetlands, and shores, and

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     WHEREAS, Florida's economy relies heavily on its oceans and

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shorelines and therefore actively uses these resources in a

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sustainable manner to ensure a continuing strong economy in the

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future, and

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     WHEREAS, on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, in the Capitol

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Courtyard, the Florida Ocean Alliance, the Florida Institute of

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Oceanography, and the Mote Marine Laboratory will present

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educational exhibits from institutions around the State of

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Florida with the theme "Ocean Technology: Protecting Florida's

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Oceans/Sustaining Florida's Economy," NOW, THEREFORE,

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Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

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     That March 12, 2008, is recognized as "Florida Oceans Day"

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in the State of Florida and all Floridians are encouraged to act

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as good stewards of the state's priceless ocean and coastal

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resources.