Registration now open - 2017 William R. Mote Memorial Teach-A-Kid Fishing & Ecology Clinic and Snook
Registration is now open for the 2017 William R. Mote Memorial Teach-A-Kid Fishing and Ecology Clinic and Snook Shindig, a research-based catch, sample, and release tournament. The children’s clinic, open to the public, is set to take place on Saturday, September 23rd and the Snook Shindig will be an event spanning two days, Friday evening through Saturday, October 6 – 7, 2017.
At this year’s Teach-A-Kid Fishing and Ecology Clinic, kids ages 5-16 will discover the fun of sustainable fishing and learn how anglers can make a “reel” difference for marine environments. Educational stations will be available for kids to learn about spin and fly rod casting, bait and tackle, Gyotaku (Japanese art of fish printing), on-the-dock fishing and more. Mote scientists, professional guides, experienced anglers and Mote Volunteers at Mote Aquaculture Park (MAP) — Mote’s sustainable fish farm in eastern Sarasota County, will host the various stations. Each registered child will receive a goody bag, a rod and reel and a tackle kit.
“The purpose of the Clinic is to get kids outside in nature and to have fun, while teaching them how to be ethical anglers,” said Dr. Nathan Brennan, Mote Staff Scientist. “Kids will get to learn 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.”
On October 6-7, Mote will be hosting the annual William R. Mote Memorial Snook Shindig. This is a great 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.
Snook are one of the most sought-after catches in Florida’s saltwater recreational fishing industry, which draws more than $6 billion to the economy annually. However, increased fishing pressure, habitat loss and natural challenges such as freezes and red tide have contributed to a decline in snook populations. Thus, for more than 25 years, 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. Past tournament results have revealed that changes in snook-release strategies, based on Mote pilot studies, have improved survival of stocked snook by as much as 200 percent.
“This tournament gives participants a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn more about Mote’s fisheries research and conservation efforts, and assist Mote in its mission to assess the snook population size in Sarasota Bay while having a fun day on the water,” stated Mote Staff Scientist Carole Neidig.
Teach-A-Kid Fishing and Ecology Clinic
When: 9-12:30 p.m. September 23, 2017
Where: Mote Aquaculture Research, 12300 Fruitville Road, Sarasota 34240 – about 7 miles east of Interstate 75
For additional information and to RSVP visit https://mote.org/events/details/teach-a-kid-fishing-ecology-clinic
Snook Shindig
When: 6 p.m. October 6 – 5:30 p.m. October 7
Where: Mandatory Captain’s Meeting: 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at Mote’s WAVE Center (former Sea Cinema), 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway on City Island, Sarasota
Fishing: 7 p.m. Oct. 6 – noon Oct. 7 along Sarasota Bay from Venice to Cortez
Awards Dinner: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Mote’s WAVE Center (former Sea Cinema)
Registered anglers are eligible for prizes. Snook Shindig entry fee includes entry in the tournament, awards dinner, an event T-shirt, voluntary participation in raffles and lots of fun.
To register only for the 5:30 p.m. Awards Dinner on October 7, purchase a dinner ticket for $30 per person ages 6 and older. Children under 5 can eat for free.
Learn more and register at https://mote.org/events/details/william-r.-mote-memorial-snook-shindig-2017
If you have any questions, please contact Carole Neidig at cneidig@mote.org
Special thanks to our sponsors of the Teach-A-Kid Fishing and Ecology Clinic Carol and Barney Barnett; the Fish Florida Foundation; Sarasota Sportsmen’s Association; Willis A. Smith Construction Inc., Mangrove Coast Flyfishers; DOA Lures; Economy Tackle & Dolphin Dive Paddlesports; Karen Chadwick & Family Gyotaku Art; and many other local and national business and individuals.
Special thanks to our sponsors of the tournament Carol and Barney Barnett; Mote Marine Laboratory; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Captain Scott Moore; CB’S Saltwater Outfitter’s; Coastal Angler Magazine; Daiichi Hooks; DOA Fishing Lures; Economy Tackle/Dolphin Paddlesports; FishBrain; Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers; MirrOlure; Mote Fisheries Volunteers; DOA Lures; Silverscorpionaz; and Steve Whitlock Game Fish Art.
Interested in sponsoring? Contact Kate Knepper at kknepper@mote.org or 941-388-4441 ext. 393 for more information.