License plates help fishing grow as sport

[Squidnation]

BY STAFF REPORTS • FLORIDA TODAY • December 20, 2009


More than 20,000 kids received a new rod and reel combo thanks to more than 23,000 Fish Florida specialty license tags sold statewide this year.


"Not only that," Lara Kramer, Director of Fish Florida, said in a news release "but in 2009, we used funds from the sailfish specialty plate to donate more for grants and scholarships."
Kramer said:

•20,575 rods, reels, and tackle kits were presented to 81 organizations who conducted more than 160 kids' fishing clinics in 65 Florida cities.

•$79,000 in grants were presented to 20 organizations leading fishing and conservation education programs.

•$10,000 in scholarships were presented to marine science students at the University of South Florida and Nova Southeastern University.
"We love being able to help kids, who are the future of fishing," Kramer said. "We want to thank those who bought the Fish Florida license plate in the past and encourage others to buy them in the future."
Fish Florida's funding comes from the Fish Florida specialty license plate, featuring Florida's saltwater fish -- the sailfish. Anglers and boaters bought 23,500 sailfish plates last year.
"More than 75 percent of every dollar we get from the license plate goes to our various programs," Kramer said.
The Fish Florida plate is for sale at county tax collector offices statewide or online through Fish Florida's Web site: www.fishfloridatag.org
Fish Florida is a non-profit organization created to create awareness on Florida fisheries and aquatic habitats. It helps organizations teaching people, especially children, about fishing, freshwater and marine habitats and aquatic resource stewardship. Since its 1998 founding, Fish Florida has helped 200,000 children participate in fishing clinics all over Florida.
Fish Florida programs (fishing equipment donations, grants, and scholarships) are available to organizations teaching aquatic education and kids' fishing clinics in Florida. More information about how to apply is available on Fish Florida's Web site.
A detailed list of fishing equipment, grant, and scholarship recipients are available. For more information, please contact Kramer at fishflorida@bellsouth.net or 954-927-8361 954-927-8361.

[paul708]

its great to see the kids involved in fishing.