Fifty Florida schools are set to receive funding for their school fishing clubs through a model grant program run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The School Fishing Club Program is an annual educational effort that teaches young anglers about best fishing practices, which encourages their long-term participation and helps to ensure the future of fishing in the Sunshine State.
Each selected school fishing club will be awarded $500 to assist with club expenses, such as gear and tackle, so that students can get out on the water and learn to reel in some fish. The FWC also provides program curriculum and educational materials to be taught throughout the school year.
The curriculum is comprised of lessons and activities on ethical angling, conservation, Florida’s aquatic habitats, basic fishing gear and general fishing concepts. All lessons are applicable to both fresh and saltwater angling.
To make things more interesting, at least one conservation project activity must be completed every school year by each club. In addition, there’s also an opportunity for the clubs to earn points for a chance to win prizes.
For the boating industry, knowing youngsters are being successfully introduced to the joys of fishing merits high recognition. No question the FWC’s program serves as a national model that marine dealers and manufacturers can support and push for adoption in their respective states.
This FWC program is a joint internal collaboration between the FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, and the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network.
A COOLING ATLANTIC?
As we approach the mid-point of the Atlantic hurricane season, and predictions have called for a higher-than-average number of big storms, there may be some good news out there: Could the Atlantic waters be cooling at a record pace?
The currently hot ocean is one of the reasons for the predicted rough hurricane season, which officially runs until the end of November. But according to Joshua Hawkins, author and copyeditor on BGR.com, the Atlantic is cooling faster than expected and no one is certain why. If it’s true, it would be good news for all marine interests along the coasts from Texas to Maine.
The ocean normally changes temperature throughout the year. But this year it’s triggering questions about what the rest of the year will look like. While still speculation, scientists are considering that the much cooler “La Niña” pattern that normally comes from the Pacific is emerging faster than expected.
While the appearance of more rapid cooling temperatures is surely welcomed if it could mean less hurricanes, all marine interests must remember that there’s been a 15-month streak of record-high ocean temperatures. So, figuring it all remains challenging at best.
Accordingly, advance plans to work through a possible hurricane must remain a top dealer/marina priority. Past experience confirms when there’s no real advance plan, the results on the business are devastating.
