The inaugural Blazing Mako Tournament and Festival raised more than $27,000 for marine science scholarships.
The event, one of several in the Guy Harvey Bonfire Tournament series, was held recently at the Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost, in Islamorada, Fla., during Father’s Day weekend in June. The event blends angling, art and conservation.
The funds, which are donated through the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, will be administered by Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, home of the Guy Harvey Research Institute.
A “Conch-servation” Village spotlighted research and education work underway to preserve ocean resources by groups that include the Everglades Foundation, Reef Environmental Education Foundation, Coral Restoration Foundation, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Turtle Hospital and Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, according to FloridaKeys.com, an online publication that features activities and attractions for tourists and locals.
The events are held to raise money for scholarships through the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. This year’s goal is $100,000 for marine science scholarships for the Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography at NSU. The university’s mascot inspired the celebration’s “mako shark” theme.
