One of Florida’s top organizations promoting fishing in the state is undergoing a change in leadership for 2026.
Fish Florida, an offshoot of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is changing hands at the top slot. Fish Florida Executive Director Scott Nichols is vacating the post as of Feb. 1. He’ll be replaced by Rob Kramer, who was the original Executive Director of Fish Florida and has since shifted to former President of Wild Oceans and the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).
Kramer said he’s enthusiastic about returning to the leadership role at Fish Florida.
“I am both excited and honored for the opportunity to once again lead an organization that has done so much for aquatic education and marine resource stewardship in our great state”, Kramer said.
“As one of the original founders of Fish Florida and a fifth-generation Floridian, this incredible opportunity is very meaningful to me. I have enjoyed working with Scott and the Fish Florida Board on several important conservation initiatives during my tenures with Wild Oceans and IGFA over the years. I now look forward to working with them from the inside as part of the Fish Florida team.”
Fish Florida was established in 1998 as a nonprofit organization and developed by state officials to improve awareness and educational aspects of the state’s recreational fisheries. DEP officials used the Division of Marine Resources to help bolster those educational programs throughout the Sunshine State. Those efforts are augmented through Marine Educational Grants and the Saltwater Rod Loaner programs.
While Nichols is stepping down from the top slot of Fish Florida, he’s still going to be a member of the Board of Directors of the nonprofit group.
“I’m very proud of my work with Fish Florida since co-founding the organization and I feel lucky to have had this chance to change things for the better, for future generations,” Nichols said. “I’ve known and worked with Rob for 30 years and I’m confident that Fish Florida will be in good hands to continue our successful mission here in Florida.”
