MARINE EDUCATION INITIATIVE INC

RESPONSIBLE ANGLING EDUCATION PROGRAM: 8 WEEK ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CLINICS TO YOUTH DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND SUMMER IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS INCLUDING SOUTH FLORIDA AND THE BAHAMAS. IN THESE CLASSES, EXPERIENCED YOUTH VOLUNTEERS TEACH THE CHILDREN THE BASICS OF THE SPORT OF FISHING AS WELL AS CONSERVATION. THE MATERIAL COVERED RANGES WIDELY FROM SUCH PRACTICAL SKILLS AS KNOT TYING TO MORE DIDACTIC TOPICS, LIKE CONSERVATION LAWS AND PRACTICES. WE USE THE SPORT OF FISHING AS A MECHANISM TO ENGAGE AND INTEREST CHILDREN TO WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS. AT THE END OF THE SESSIONS, WE HOST A GRADUATION PARTY USUALLY COINCIDING WITH A FIELD TRIP SUCH AS TO A LOCAL PIER, LAKE, NATURE CENTER, OR DEEP SEA FISHING TRIP. THIS UNIQUE EXPERIENCE, USUALLY A FIRST FOR MANY OF THE KIDS, IS FOLLOWED BY A CATERED MEAL AT WHICH CERTIFICATES AND NEW FISHING EQUIPMENT ARE GIFTED TO EACH GRADUATE. IN 2023, THESE PROGRAMS EDUCATED OVER 250 CHILDREN TO BE RESPONSIBLE ANGLERS, AND UTILIZED OVER 100 VOLUNTEERS.

HURRICANE RELIEF PROGRAM: AFTER HURRICANE MATTHEW STRUCK THE BAHAMAS IN 2016, WE DECIDED TO ASSIST OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN THE BAHAMAS AND THE MANY COMMUNITIES IMPACTED. THIS EFFORT BEGAN WITH HURRICANE MATTHEW DURING 2016 IN FREEPORT AND NASSAU, AND THEN ONTO HURRICANE IRMA DURING 2017 IN ST. JOHN, VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE FLORIDA KEYS. IN 2019, HURRICANE DORIAN, A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE, STRUCK ABACO & FREEPORT, BAHAMAS. BOTH OF THESE ISLANDS WERE LOCATIONS THAT WE HAVE OFFERED OUR RESPONSIBLE ANGLING EDUCATION PROGRAMS, THUS WE ONCE AGAIN BEGAN TO SEND SUPPORT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO USE OUR NETWORK TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO SUPPORT RELIEF EFFORTS FOLLOWING THESE DEVASTATING STORMS ESPECIALLY TOWARDS SPECIFIC MARINE RELATED INITIATIVES.