Governor Perdue Announces Additional Sites for Go Fish Georgia Facilities

Today (May 16, 2008)Governor Sonny Perdue announced the selection of eight additional facilities for the Go Fish Georgia Program. The additional mega-ramps sites announced today will bring the total up to 18 ramps funded by the program.

“I am very pleased to be able to announce the additional Go Fish sites today,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “All of the communities involved have committed to a 100% match for construction, there are good fisheries resources at each location, and there is adequate state Go Fish funding to complete all eight sites. This is a win-win situation for everybody involved.”

Additional sites announced today include:

Lock and Dam Park, Coosa River/Lake Weiss- Floyd County
Tuckasee King, Savannah River, - Effingham County
Altamaha Park, Altamaha River - Glynn County
Houlahan Bridge Boat Ramp, Savannah River - City of Port Wentworth
George Bagby State Park, Lake Walter F. George - Clay County
Burton’s Ferry Boat Landing, Savannah River - Screven County
Reynolds Landing, Lake Seminole - Seminole County
Buckeye Landing, Oconee River - Laurens County

The Go Fish Georgia program is designed to promote and enhance boating and fishing tourism in Georgia and to boost economic development in communities across the state. This initiative will result in quality fisheries resources statewide, including family friendly fishing and recreation access points that will increase fishing participation in Georgia.

“As Chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, I am very excited about Laurens County being part of the Go Fish Initiative,” said Sen. Ross Tolleson. “I want to thank Governor Perdue and DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb for working with me to bring this boat ramp to Laurens County.”

The program also consists of a Go Fish Georgia Center that will be built on 120 acres located on the south side of the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter. This facility will include a visitor’s center that will market and promote fishing opportunities throughout the state, an on-site public fishing lake and a fully functioning warm water hatchery.

“The building of these new mega ramps in Effingham and Screven counties as part of Governor Perdue’s Go Fish Initiative is great news for fisherman and our local economy,” said Rep. Jon Burns. “I want to thank our state and local partners for working together to make this a reality.”

Fishing contributes approximately $1.5 billion to Georgia’s economy each year. DNR estimates more than 10,000 jobs in Georgia are related to sport fishing, which generates $15 million in state income taxes, and $19 million in state sales taxes. A major bass fishing tournament can have as much as a $5 million economic impact on a local community. A championship event can have a $27 million economic impact.

For more information on fishing in Georgia or the Go Fish Georgia initiative, please go to www.gofishgeorgia.com.