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Tallahassee, FL-January 14, 2010-The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is launching the "Florida’s Tastiest Catch" website, http://www.WorkingWaterfronts.
The "Florida’s Tastiest Catch" public awareness campaign promotes Florida seafood products and Florida’s fishing industry with messages from Captains Sig Hansen along with Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand -- well known to viewers of the Discovery Channel’s wildly popular "Deadliest Catch" series. These television public service announcements (PSAs) featuring the three fishing captains will air statewide through 2010. Images of Hansen, captain of the "Northwestern," and the Hillstrand brothers, co-captains of the "Time Bandit," will also appear in print and web-based media promoting Florida’s fishing industry and can be downloaded from http://www.WorkingWaterfronts.
The site, http://www.WorkingWaterfronts.A series of "living history" documentaries focusing on these Florida working waterfront communities is being produced by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The first video, titled "Florida’s Fishing Traditions: Sebastian," includes colorful interviews with longtime fishermen and founders of the enduring fishing culture that lives on in this Indian River town. With aerial views and on-the-water footage, viewers see the natural beauty of the local waterways that has captivated residents and visitors, past and present. The Sebastian video ca n be ordered on the Working Waterfronts website. Future videos featuring the other working waterfront communities will detail the historical development of their commercial fishing industry, promote tourism to the areas, and spotlight the dedicated fishermen who bring home "Florida’s Tastiest Catch".
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson, whose department promotes the state’s agriculture and seafood industries and helps administer the state’s Working Waterfronts Program, said he appreciates the popular fishing celebrities’ willingness to assist with Florida’s efforts.
"Whether fishing in subfreezing temperatures in the Bering Sea or in balmy wate rs off the Florida coast, America’s commercial fishermen understand the hard work that goes into bringing in their catch," Bronson said. "I’m delighted that Sig, Johnathan and Andy are lending their status as internationally known fishing captains to help us raise public awareness of the important contributions that Florida’s fishermen make to our state and nation."
Bronson said that Florida’s fishing industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years. He hopes that as consumers learn more about the Florida fishing industry and the dedication of Florida fishermen to supply them with quality products, they will ask for "Florida’s Tastiest Catch" of domestically harvested seafood when shopping or dining out.
