Fishing is more than a hobby for today’s youth — it’s a gateway to nature, conservation and community support. As a vital connection to wildlife, fishing not only fosters an appreciation for the environment but promotes sustainable practices and a lifetime of skills.
The UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County Florida Sea Grant program is collaborating with the Fishing and Conservation Trust (FACT) to offer “Kids Fish Fridays,” an extension of the “Kids, Let’s Go Fishing!” program that provides families with a fun, educational fishing experience they can share.
Event Details:
Date: Fridays, June 7 through August 9
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: The Reward Fishing Fleet will host this weekly event on the 70-foot vessel “Another Reward” docked at Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.
Registration and cost: $75 for one adult with one child for each Friday session. For families with siblings, there is a $25 charge for each child. Registration is required for all participants by calling 305-372-9470. All credit cards are accepted.
Fish Florida, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that support organizations dedicated to teaching adults and children about Florida’s fish and aquatic habitats, will provide kid-friendly fishing tackle. In addition to learning basic fishing skills, this event will encourage ethical angling for future generations by helping youth develop an appreciation of the marine ecosystem and its resources.
Prior to fishing, participants will receive an educational briefing on safety precautions, fishing rules and regulations, use of tackle and proper fish-handling and release techniques. They will then board the vessel and fish on inshore reefs with light tackle and barbless circle hooks. In case of rough sea conditions, groups will fish in the protected waters of Biscayne Bay. Catch-and-release practices will be encouraged. As part of each session, children will learn about fish identification, as well as their biology and ecology.
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
ABOUT FLORIDA SEA GRANT
The Florida Sea Grant program, hosted at UF/IFAS, is a university-based program that supports research, education and Extension to conserve coastal resources and enhance economic opportunities for the people of Florida. In addition to UF/IFAS, the program is a partnership between Florida universities, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and county governments.
flseagrant.org | @FloridaSeaGrant
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