Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida announced an additional $5 million in funding for artificial reef conservation, bringing the total budget to $26.5 million. This investment aims to protect coral reefs, vital for the marine ecosystem and tourism. DeSantis also introduced an extra day for the spiny lobster mini-season exclusively for Florida residents. Furthermore, initiatives like the 2024 Lionfish Challenge incentivize public engagement in protecting marine life. DeSantis emphasized the state's substantial investments in environmental conservation, exceeding federal requests and highlighting Florida's prioritization of ecological needs over the federal government's spending choices.