Okaloosa County BOCC — June 2, 2015 — Fishing Buoy Network - Preliminary Design and Permitting — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: June 2, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Ed Schroeder SUBJECT: Fishing Buoy Network - Preliminary Design and Permitting DEPARTMENT: Tourist Development Department BCC DISTRICT: 2,4,5 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request approval for Chairman to sign Task Order 12 titled Deep Water Fishing Buoys Preliminary Design & Permitting Assistance, in an amount not to exceed $76,598.50, Taylor Engineering contract C14-2117-TDD. BACKGROUND: Large, pelagic fish species (Marlin, Sailfish, Swordfish, Tunas, Wahoo etc.) support extremely valuable recreational fisheries. These fish are difficult to find as they do not congregate around reefs but are distributed across the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A Fishing Buoy Network (FBN) attracts these pelagics, increasing fishing success and decreasing the amount of time, energy, and fuel used in searching for them. The Tourist Development Department enlisted the assistance of Taylor Engineering to investigate the feasibility of placing anchoring (mooring) buoys in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 50 - 100+ nautical miles south of the Florida Panhandle. The purpose of this network of buoys would be to attract pelagic game fish and expand recreational and sport fishing opportunities for regional visitors. Although this has never been attempted in the Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii has had a very successful FBN since the 1980's with a network of over 50 buoys. The feasibility study determined that the establishment of a FBN is reasonable. We expect that a FBN would attract a great number pelagic sport fisherman to Okaloosa County and the region with the possibility of a local/regional fishing tournament developing around the FBN. As this network will be equal distance from Panama City, Destin and Pensacola, we expect and will pursue regional partnerships in this endeavor. Staff is working with Dr. Daniel D. Benetti, Professor & Director of Aquaculture at the Rosentiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, to utilize one of the buoys as a research platform. The data collected by Dr. Benetti will help determine the success of this network and further understand the pelagic environment of the Gulf of Mexico. OPTIONS: Approve or Disapprove RECOMMENDATION: Approve Task Order 12 titled Deep Water Fishing Buoys Preliminary Design & Permitting Assistance, in an amount not to exceed $76,598.50, Taylor Engineering contract C14-2117-TDD, and authorize the Chairman to sign. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator