Two legislative bills proposing the renaming of the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” successfully advanced in the Florida House on Thursday. House Bill 549 mandates that state agencies update geographic materials to align with a new federal designation, changing “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America.” This bill also stipulates that educational and library resources acquired or adopted after a specified date must reflect this new designation.
House Bill 575 specifically calls for the implementation of this name change. In a recent announcement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed its plans to adopt the “Gulf of America” designation across all its materials in support of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14172. Consequently, all commission documents, maps, forms, and resources will undergo updates to reflect the change.
The FWC indicated these updates would affect offices and programs directly associated with the Gulf of America, including the Division of Marine Fisheries Management, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, and divisions within Law Enforcement, such as the Boating and Waterways Section, across Florida.
In February, Google Maps also updated its platform to replace the name “Gulf of Mexico” with “Gulf of America.” Similar legislative efforts in the Florida Senate are progressing, with Senate Bill 608 receiving support — 10 votes in favor and 5 against — in the Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy. Senate Bill 1058, another related bill, also gained approval from the Rules Committee earlier this week.
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The Evolving Landscape
- The proposed name change could influence educational content and public perception, requiring updates in school curricula and public resources across Florida.
- State agencies and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will need to allocate resources for the transition, which may impact budgetary allocations and administrative processes.
- Businesses and institutions, especially those engaged in tourism and marine activities, might need to adjust their branding and marketing efforts to align with the new designation.
- Digital and print maps, tourist guides, and travel resources will need revisions, affecting tourists and residents reliant on these materials for information.
- The legislative shift reflects broader political dynamics and could influence public opinion and discussions around national identity and geographic nomenclature.