High school fishing grants now available for student saltwater anglers in Florida

High school saltwater fishing teams are encouraged to apply for grants before the application deadline of Sept. 15, 2016

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), along with its partners the Fishing League Worldwide Foundation and The Bass Federation’s Student Angler Federation, have made $500 Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation grants available to saltwater teams and clubs in Florida.

This grant partnership encourages the creation and success of Florida high school fishing teams and clubs, with a particular emphasis placed on establishing new high school angling teams and supporting existing ones in schools with diverse student populations. The grants were originally only available to freshwater student anglers, but are now also available to saltwater student anglers.

The program will provide grants of up to $500 per club or team to assist with expenses related to fishing team or club-sponsored tournaments, team jerseys, insurance, and education for novice anglers. Supported teams and clubs will also partner with the FWC, FLW Foundation and The Bass Federation to complete a conservation project. The program not only benefits students, but program participants and their families will receive education on conservation programs, aquatic and marine biology, and boating and angler safety.

High school fishing teams and clubs do not have to be comprised of students from a single school. Students from several schools may come together to form a team or club, and fishing is one of the few sports where both male and female students can compete on the same team, at the same level.

To date, there have been 10 high school fishing grants awarded. There is still ample grant funding available, so interested parties are encouraged to apply before Sept.15, 2016, for consideration. Online applications should be submitted at www.flwfishing.com/foundation.

For more information about this program, email Amber Nabors at Amber.Nabors@MyFWC.com. For more information about the Fishing League Worldwide Foundation, go to www.flwfishing.com. For information about The Bass Federation’s Student Angler Federation, go towww.highschoolfishing.org. Information on the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation is available at www.takemefishing.org, select “Corporate” at the bottom of the page.