Kids make a “reel” difference at Mote’s Teach-A-Kid Fishing Clinic
Photo: Cooper Nickelson at the Fly Tying station at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Snook Shindig Teach-A-Kid Fishing Clinic.
Mote Marine Laboratory scientists invited kids to discover the fun of sustainable fishing and learn how anglers can make a “reel” difference for marine environments at this year’s Snook Shindig Teach-A-Kid Fishing Clinic Saturday, Nov. 7.
During the Fishing Clinic, 130 kids ages 5 to 16 learned from Mote scientists, professional guides, experienced anglers and 55 Mote Volunteers at Mote Aquaculture Park (MAP) — Mote’s sustainable fish farm in eastern Sarasota County. Each registered child received a goody bag, a rod and reel and a tackle kit.
The event focused on catch-and-release practices, which helps preserve the species for future generations to enjoy. In some species, such as snook, populations are low because of overfishing, habitat loss and sporadic red tide events. Releasing the fish helps conserve the population of that species.
“The purpose of the Clinic was to get kids outside in nature and have fun, but to also teach them how to be ethical anglers,” said Dr. Nathan Brennan, Mote Staff Scientist. “Kids learned the importance of catch-and-release and how to hook and dehook a fish while posing the least amount of harm to the fish. This is important, because these kids represent the next generation of anglers and it will soon be up to them to keep Florida’s aquatic ecosystem strong.”
The event included educational stations focused on spin and fly rod casting; bait and tackle; ethical angling; environmental stewardship; sun and water safety; kayak fishing; fly tying; catch-and-release tactics; Gyotaku (Japanese art of fish printing); and on-the-dock fishing.
The Clinic also included a tour of MAP, where guests learned first-hand about sustainable fish farming for ocean conservation and innovative aquaculture systems for marine and freshwater fish, production of sea vegetables together with fish for local food markets (marine aquaponics), and much more. After a fun day of fishing and learning, guests enjoyed lunch sponsored by the Sarasota Sportsmen’s Association.
The Clinic is followed by the William R. Mote Memorial Snook Shindig Honoring Captain Scotty Moore, a research-based catch, sample and release tournament from Nov. 13 – Nov. 15 in the waters of Sarasota Bay.
Mote and FWC scientists have partnered on research studies designed to evaluate if stocking hatchery-reared snook can be an effective fishery management tool for replenishing snook stocks. Mote researchers document snook caught during the tournament to identify individual hatchery-reared fish they previously tagged and released, recovering vital data that can be used to adjust release protocols.
The tournament provides an opportunity for anglers of all ages and abilities to be “citizen scientists” and to help provide valuable information on tagged hatchery-reared snook released into Sarasota Bay.
“It was rewarding to see families come out and have a great time at the Fishing Clinic, while learning how Mote is developing innovative technologies to produce fish to restock depleted recreational stocks for a wide range of species including snook,” said Carole Neidig, Mote Staff Scientist. “I look forward to next weekend when the community will be working with researchers to provide hands-on real-time data to help us to learn more about our local snook populations.”
- To register for the snook tournament visit mote.org/snookshindig.
The 2015 Shindig Teach-A-Kid Fishing Clinic was made possible by Sarasota philanthropists Carol and Barney Barnett; Fish Florida; Sarasota Sportsmen’s Association; Mote Scientific Foundation; Mangrove Coast Flyfishers; Bark & Company Realty; Fish Brain; Economy Tackle & Dolphin Dive Paddlesports; and many other local and national business and individuals.
Carol and Barney have generously donated to Mote to help the independent, non-profit “home grown” marine research institution implement its Fisheries Conservation & Enhancement Initiative to protect and restore fisheries in Sarasota Bay. The Barnett’s have challenged the community to raise $3 million more for Mote’s Oceans of Opportunity Campaign (https://mote.org/support).
