U.S. Senator Roger Wicker Hosts U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for Gulf Coast Industry Roundtable

Gulfport, Miss. – June 25, 2021 – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) hosted U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Aquarium for an industry roundtable on the blue economy along the Gulf Coast and included Center for Sportfishing Policy President Jeff Angers, business development leaders, representatives of the Gulf Coast research, fishing, and agricultural communities, local elected officials, and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

“We thank Secretary Raimondo for spending time with us on the Gulf Coast, the epicenter of marine recreational fishing, and we thank Senator Wicker for inviting anglers to a seat at the table today,” said Angers. “As a former coastal governor, Secretary Raimondo truly understands the importance of recreational fishing to the economy and the need for public access to healthy marine resources which drives that economic activity.”

“After meeting Secretary Raimondo today, I am encouraged by her willingness to work with state fishery managers who are very valuable partners in conservation and management,” Angers continued.

According to NOAA Fisheries, in 2017, the nation’s 9.2 million saltwater anglers contributed $74 billion to the economy, supporting 487,024 jobs. In Mississippi, saltwater anglers support nearly 5,200 jobs and spend $625 million on fishing trip and durable good expenditures each year.