Florida’s Free Kids’ Fishing Clinic Mixes Learning and Fun
Teaching children a lifelong hobby, instilling appreciation for our marine environment and providing fun, family outings are the goals for the upcoming Kids’ Fishing Clinic in Panama City.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will offer the free Kids’ Fishing Clinic for children between the ages of 5 and 15 on Saturday, May 19. The clinic is from 9 a.m. to noon at the Panama City Marina, 1 Harrison Ave. Advance registration is not required.
Participants will learn the basics of environmental stewardship, fishing ethics, angling skills and safety. In addition, participants will be given a unique chance to experience Florida’s marine life firsthand.
The objective of the program is to create responsible marine-resource stewards by teaching children about the vulnerability of Florida’s marine ecosystems. Organizers hope to teach fundamental saltwater fishing skills and provide participants a positive fishing experience.
Fishing equipment and bait will be provided for kids to use during the clinic, but organizers encourage children who own fishing tackle to bring it. A limited number of rods and reels will be given away to participants upon completion of the clinic.
If conditions allow, participants will have the opportunity to practice their new skills and fish from the pier. This event is a catch-and-release activity, and an adult must accompany all participants.
Individuals or companies interested in helping sponsor this event or volunteering at the clinic should call the FWC’s Nancy Fisher at 850-487-0554 or Tom Putnam at 850-234-2621, ext. 1001.
To find out more on taking a kid fishing, go to MyFWC.com/Fishing.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission came into existence on July 1, 1999 - the result of a constitutional amendment approved in the 1998 General Election as part of the package proposed by the Constitution Revision Commission.
In the implementation of the Constitutional Amendment, the Florida Legislature combined all of the staff and Commissioners of the former Marine Fisheries Commission, elements of the Divisions of Marine Resources and Law Enforcement of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and all of the employees and Commissioners of the former Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.
Five years later, after consulting stakeholders, employees and other interested parties, the FWC adopted a new internal structure to address complex conservation issues of the new century. The new structure focuses on programs, such as habitat management, that affect numerous species. It will focus on moving the decision-making process closer to the public and did not require any additional funding or additional positions.
