A legislative proposal seeking to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America” has advanced to the desk of Governor Ron DeSantis. Known as HB 575, the bill was approved by the Florida Legislature with a vote of 28 to 9. This measure mandates the alteration of all references to the “Gulf of Mexico” within Florida to the “Gulf of America.”
Another related proposal, HB 549, is progressing through the legislature. This bill requires state agencies to update geographic materials to align with a new federal designation, renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America.” Additionally, it stipulates that new instructional materials and library media center collections, adopted or acquired by certain entities after a specified date, must reflect this federal designation change.
In support of this initiative, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced in February its intention to implement the “Gulf of America” nomenclature across all its Commission materials. This decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14172, which mandates the renaming of the Gulf. The FWC confirmed that all materials, documents, maps, forms, and resources related to its operations will reflect this change. This includes divisions directly associated with the Gulf, such as the Division of Marine Fisheries Management, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, and segments within the Division of Law Enforcement and the Boating and Waterways Section.
In a significant digital update, Google Maps also adopted this change in February, replacing the Gulf of Mexico with the Gulf of America. Once the governor signs the bill, this change is set to take effect on July 1.
The Impact on Daily Life
- Geographical Materials: The renaming initiative will necessitate updates to geographic materials and resources, impacting educational institutions and public libraries across Florida.
- Navigation Tools: Digital maps and navigation aids, such as Google Maps, will reflect the new naming convention, possibly influencing travel and tourism in the region.
- Economic Implications: The renaming might affect branding and marketing strategies for businesses reliant on the Gulf’s identity, potentially leading to financial adjustments.
- Regulatory Adjustments: State agencies will need to allocate resources for updating official documents and signage, resulting in potential administrative costs and efforts.
- Public Discourse: The transition may spark public discussion and debate regarding regional identity and national policy changes, influencing community engagement and social dialogue.