WATER LEADER
2/2/2009 2:10:46 PM by Sandy Lindsay
Jeb Bush has had a lifelong affinity with the water. “I have been boating since a child with my dad who is the one who taught me of the serenity and joy of being on the water,” he says. “I love to fish but I don’t get to do it as much as I would like. Fishing with family and friends is perhaps the best time spent I can think of.”
Bush especially loves fishing in the Florida Keys. “I love the stillness and peace of Florida Bay. I love the birds, turtles, porpoise, manta rays and manatees. I am in awe of the power and beauty of the tarpon. I wish I was a better fisherman to be able to hunt down the bonefish.” His father, former President George H.W. Bush, is so tightly associated with the fish that there is a tournament named after him in Islamorada: The George Bush Sr./Cheeca Lodge Bonefish Tournament. Not to be outdone, Jeb hosts the Jeb Bush Florida Classic Billfish Tournament To Benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which has raised over $1 million in past years.
Jeb has further translated that lifelong respect for the marine ecosystem into some weighty actions and deeds during his two terms as governor of the nearly water-locked state of Florida.
“My administration worked hard to protect the water resources, estuaries and fishing areas of our beloved state: from accelerating everglades restoration, to dramatically funding wastewater projects throughout the state, to the purchase of 2 million acres of environmentally sensitive lands, to expanding the artificial reef program our objective was to restore and preserve wild Florida. In doing so, the marine ecosystem was certainly enhanced.”
Back in 2006, upon learning that their world seafood stocks were in distinct danger of becoming depleted by 2048 unless some serious counter measures were taken, Bush and his cabinet made the critical decision to ban fishing around the Dry Tortugas. The area in question is a 46-square-mile section of the ocean fo
As to the question of the future of the state’s marine resources now that he is no longer in office, he adds, “I believe there is a broad consensus the need to preserve the marine ecosystem for both environmental and economic development reasons. While the current budget shortfalls create a huge challenge, in the long run policy makers and politicians generally understand that Florida won’t progress without a commitment to marine ecosystem protection.”
It’s almost as if Mother Nature decided to reward his efforts when recently, “I had never caught a sailfish and several weeks ago, I caught two! They are unbelievably beautiful creatures. My son caught one as well. After a quick picture, they were released to the sea safe and sound. Kudos to my good friend Rodney, the captain and crew for making the experience possible.”
The “Rodney” that Jeb refers to is Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commissioner Rodney Barreto, who was appointed by Jeb and reappointed by his successor Governor Charlie Crist. Barreto’s father was born and raised a Key West Conch. He himself grew up on the waters of South Florida in a large family with eleven children that always had boats.
“Fishing is best with good friends aboard like Jeb. We love to fish offshore, especially for dolphin, and in the back country. We only catch the fish that we’re going to eat, not 900 fish just for fun. We also like to dive,” says Barreto. “I believe that all sportsmen and women are conservationists at heart.”
When asked to elaborate on his fishing stories, Jeb admits, “I have caught all sorts of fish. Florida is blessed with great diversity in species. My most memorable catch however was not a fish. It was my dad, who happened to be President of the Unit
Other family fishing expeditions were not so dramatic. “Some of my best memories are fishing off the family summer house in Maine. We would go out early and catch mackerel, which I remember thinking were very beautiful. After we caught them, my dad taught me how to clean and fillet them and then we ate them for breakfast. Now that I’m a father I understand what those times must have meant to my dad. These days I enjoy fishing Florida Bay and the inshore waters around Southwest Florida,” says Jeb, “but the best part of fishing today, is to have the chance to be with my sons, even though Jeb Jr. is a much better fisherman than me since he has spent a lot of time with his grandfather fishing all over the place.”
Though the Bush family is as active in politics as they are behind a fishing rod, Jeb says he won’t run for the U.S. Senate in 2010, quoting that it is not the right time for him to return to elected office, we here are the Wave and International Yachtsman magazines want to commend him on the fine job he’s done and say that we hope to see him return to elected office when he does feel the time is right to continue his good work.
In the meantime, the former governor plans to play a role in helping to reshape the Republican Party’s message and focus on 21st century solutions to 21st century problems. And, of course, to take time to g