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A project supporting snook has received a
$25,000 matching grant through the Florida High Tech Corridor for
research at Mote Marine Laboratory.
Project
Snook, an awareness and fundraising campaign designed to help science
rebuild wild snook populations, became eligible for the grant based on
the cash and in-kind support the program has received from its partners
and the public. Project Snook was formed in 2010 by
Addictive Fishing Television, McCabe Productions,
Inc., Star brite boat wash and Mote.
The High Tech Corridor
grants program fosters the development of
technologies that have a commercial application by encouraging applied
research
between the University
of South Florida and the
region’s high-tech industry partners.
The funds will be used to purchase a
microscope, camera and
computer station to support USF and other student research on snook and
other
marine fishes. “We would not have been eligible for this grant without
the
great support and funds raised through Project Snook,” said Dr. Kevan
Main, director
of Mote’s Center for Aquaculture Research and Development. “We can’t
thank our
partners enough for coming up the idea of Project Snook and really
making it
reality.”
Snook — already depleted in the wild due to
years of
recreational fishing pressure — suffered a big hit last year during the
deep
freeze that descended on Florida
in January and February. The record low temperatures resulted in the
loss of
thousands of snook. While we’re all hoping that this year’s temperatures
don’t
result in massive fish kills, Mote scientists are working to perfect the
techniques needed to use captive-breeding to help rebuild wild
populations —
especially in the wake of such widespread fish kills.
Addictive Fishing Television, with host
Blair Wiggins, and
Kevin and Patrice McCabe of McCabe Productions, Inc., have been working
to tell
the stories of this snook research by creating short videos that show
viewers
how science at Mote is working to support snook conservation. Through
Project
Snook, anglers also have the ability to help scientists make a
difference by
making a donation. “Whether it’s $5 or $500, every donation is
supporting the
research at Mote being used to produce snook for later release to the
wild,”
Main said. “And this new $25,000 grant — which matches the funds we’ve
already
raised — shows just how important this support is.”
In 2010, Star brite donated 1,000
limited-edition bottles of
“Blair’s Boat Wash” to be sold at boat shows, tradeshows and retail
appearances
at DICK’S Sporting Goods outlets with 100 percent of the proceeds going
toward
Project Snook.
DICK’S Sporting
Goods has also supported the program in a big way with two $5,000
donations. "DICK'S Sporting Goods is proud to partner with
Addictive Fishing and Mote Marine Laboratory to
assist in the rebuilding of the snook populations after the
devastating freeze in 2010," said Lauren DeLaney, Community Marketing
Manager for DICK'S Sporting Goods stores in Florida. "We have a deep
connection to the sport of fishing through our beginnings when Dick
Stack
opened a modest bait and tackle shop in Binghamton, NY over 60 years
ago.
Because of that, DICK'S understands how important the snook fisheries
are to Florida residents and for Florida tourism."
Addictive Fishing Television has been one
of the most
popular saltwater fishing shows on television for the past 10 years, and
Capt.
Blair Wiggins is happy to share his celebrity with Project Snook. “Being
able
to help preserve our fisheries — make sure they will be here for the
next
generation — and reach a mass audience with our television show is what
it's
all about,” Wiggins said.
Star brite has been making cleaning
products for boats, RVs
and automobiles since 1973, and this Fort Lauderdale-based company has
been a
long-term supporter of snook research. “Our company is run by hardcore
fishermen and boaters who recognize the importance of the efforts being
undertaken by Mote Marine Lab to restore Florida's snook fisheries,”
says Bill
Lindsey, of Star brite.
TrueFlies
clothing also recently made a $5,000 donation to Project Snook. The
company, which
combines fabrics, functionality and a meticulous concern for fit and
style, believes passionately in preserving the wild spaces of Florida¹s
backcountry. "We see our fish, flora and fauna not as objects
placed
here to amuse sportsmen, but rather for what they are — living
creatures, each one as invaluable to the ecosystem as the next," said
TrueFlies President Michael Lintz. "Traversing our backcountry and
interacting with these magnificent
creatures is a privilege. Preserving this privilege for future
generations of anglers is of great concern to us at TrueFlies. It is why
we are proud to sponsor Project Snook."
Donations
made to date have been used to purchase special
lighting and sea salt for Mote Aquaculture Research Park in eastern
Sarasota
County, where Mote is spawning and raising snook.
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