St. Augustine Swordfish Marine Ecology 4-H Club Take Part in the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project!

The St. Augustine Swordfish Marine Ecology Team met over the summer to participate in the Stow It - Don't Throw It Project. The club's ten members assembled 100 containers during their meeting, and then distributed them at the National Marina Day the following weekend. The National Marina Day was a perfect venue for giving these containers to interested parties. Even the local pirates stopped by! See below for pictures of the club members assembling and distributing the personal-sized fishing line reyclcing bins!

- Submitted by Maggie Leach
Jr. Leader St. Augustine Swordfish
Marine Ecology Team

A great article about these 4-H members and their participation in the "Stow It-Don't Throw It" Project was published in the St. Augustine Record. Check it out at: http://staugustine.com/stories/083009/community_083009_006.shtml

Florida Aquarium Distributes Recycling Bins to Fishing Tournament and Summer Camp Participants!

Every year the Florida Aquarium hosts a catch and release fishing tournament. A new addition to the 2009 fishing tournament was to place a monofilament container, designed by Sean Russell and Mote Marine Laboratory, on each participating boat. The containers were assembled by staff members and handed out the morning of the tournament with directions on how to use the container. About 30 containers were distributed to local anglers who participated in the fishing tournament. Although it was a slow day on the water each boat took home a monofilament container!

During the summer of 2009 it was decided that “Fish Camp” campers should build a monofilament container to keep with them throughout the week. The supplies and directions for making the containers were purchased from Sean Russell before the start of summer camp. Throughout the week campers learned fresh and salt water angling, crabbing, seafood guidelines and also safe fishing practices. To enhance the safe fishing practices about 30 campers was given the supplies (tennis can, Velcro, zip tie, stickers) and made a monofilament container. An Aquarium staff member took the time to drill holes in the tennis ball cans and the lids. The overall goal was for each camper to carry their monofilament container and properly dispose of their excess fishing line. Each camper was allowed to keep their container at the end of the week. The campers seemed to enjoy making the containers and also understood the importance of proper monofilament disposal.

- Submitted by Tristin Ware, Florida Aquarium Education Camp Coordinator