Fish Tale celebrates National Marina Day
Fish Tale Marina of Fort Myers Beach was one of three businesses in Lee County to host a National Marina Day celebration Saturday, Aug. 8. Florida Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation honoring this day for “Celebrating America’s Gateway to Boating.”
The importance of protecting Florida’s waterways was a central theme for the three county marinas. Fish Tale’s celebrated four-hour event harped on that concept. Owners Al and Kathy Durrett and staff members visited the Southwest Florida Children’s Hospital and Cancer Center and passed out packages for the coloring contest.
“Our celebration is for boating safety and awareness,” said Kathy Durrett, co-owner of the Fish Tale Marina. “This is for some of the kids that usually don’t get a chance to go out on the water. It’s a fun thing for kids to do and get involved in. Fishing is a nice sport and easy for the kids to do. We support clean waters, safe boating and water stewardship.”
The local marina sent boat-fulls of children out with captains on fishing charters, shelling expeditions to their “secret spots” and offered boat rides to anyone who just wanted to be on the water. The hosted event also included face painting, a coloring contest, raffles every hour, hot dogs, ice cream certificates for the kids, decorated bobbers and a casting contest, according to Angela Davis, marketing director for Fish Tale Marina.
“We are mainly doing it for the kids,” said Davis. “We want them to be interested in fishing, swimming and boating. We enjoyed the trip to the children’s hospital. We also posted signs around the hospital about National Marina Day.”
Davis said Sea Tow donated 100 life vests to the marina which staff passed out to the children. The marina had a few vendors as well. Smokey the Clown and Miss Buttons entertained the children and Ostego Bay’s Joanne Semmer and Naturalist Marilyn O’Dea provided education and knowledge while showing materials from the Marine Science Center.
The two other county marinas which celebrated the special day were Legacy Harbour Marina of Fort Myers and Tarpon Point Marina of Cape Coral.
DEP highlights Clean Marinas
“With more than 1,350 miles of coastline and 50,000 miles of inland and coastal rivers supporting a $14 billion marine industry, Florida’s water resources are crucial to the state’s economy and our environment,” said DEP Director of Sustainable Initiatives Deas Bohn. “Celebrating National Marina Day is a great way to highlight the importance of green maritime practices and to recognize our Clean Marinas for their role in protecting Florida’s waterways. “
Since 2001, the second Saturday in August has been recognized as National Marina Day by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Association of Marine Industries. With the primary mission being public education, National Marina Day emphasizes the importance of the marine industry as a family-friendly gateway to rivers, lakes and oceans, and highlights the importance of being a steward of the environment.
Recognizing the importance of waterways, designated Clean Marinas throughout the state will provide clean boating outreach and information along with events and activities. Some events taking place on National Marina Day include:
To view more National Marina Day events, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/marina_day.htm.
“National Marina Day is an excellent time to recognize the hard work of Florida’s Clean Marinas in protecting the environment,” said Clean Boating Partnership Chair Mark Leslie. “Members of DEP’s Clean Marina Program stand out as environmental leaders.”
In conjunction with DEP, the Clean Boating Partnership developed Florida’s Clean Marina, Clean Boatyard, Clean Marine Retailer and Clean Boater Programs in 1996 to protect Florida’s waterways. The Florida Clean Marina Program designated its first member in 2000 and now has 198 Clean Marinas, 30 Clean Boatyards and nine Clean Marine Retailers.
The Clean Boating Partnership is a consortium of industry leaders who contribute time and input to the Clean Marina, Clean Boatyard, Clean Marine Retailer and Clean Boater programs, which DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives administers, to protect Florida’s waterways. The partnership includes DEP, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida Sea Grant Program, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary. Through sponsored workshops, technical assistance, conferences and dedication ceremonies, the partnership educates the boating community about pollution prevention and protecting Florida’s waterways.
With more than one million registered motorized vessels in Florida, environmental education within marine industries is the first step toward safeguarding the state’s natural resources. By providing “green” education and alternatives the Florida Clean Marina Program helps ensure a sustainable future for the environment and a billion dollar marine industry. For more information about the Florida Clean Marina Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina.