NATIONAL FISHING AND BOATING WEEK
National Fishing and Boating Week, a national celebration of fishing and boating, take places the first week of June ever year. This year it’s June 6-14, 2015. It highlights the importance of recreational boating and fishing in enhancing peoples’ quality of life and preserving our country’s natural beauty. It also is when most states offer their Free Fishing Days.
WHY GO BOATING AND FISHING?
Boating and Fishing are fun, stress-relieving activities. Here are just a few reasons why you should get out on the water:
- De-stress: Boating is ranked as one of the top 3 of all stress-relieving activities
- Connect with Nature: 90% of Americans live within an hour of navigable water. Those that experience the beauty of nature first hand learn to respect and protect our natural resources.
- Help Conserve: The funds from your fishing licenses and boat registration go towards the conservation of our natural aquatic areas.
FREE FISHING DAYS 2015
During National Fishing and Boating Week, most states offer free fishing days. These are days where anglers are allowed to fish on public bodies of water without a fishing license. Free fishing days are a perfect opportunity for beginners and out-of-state visitors to try-out fishing for the first time. If you already have a fishing license, consider taking a friend or family member who has never been fishing, out on the water for the day.
The Florida Free Fishing Days are:
- Freshwater – June 13 & 14, 2015
- Saltwater – June 6 & 7, 2015
Refer to MyFWC.com for details and restrictions that may apply.
US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 57, OKEECHOBEE FL
BY WARREN MELHORN, US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
SEMPER PARATUS : ALWAYS READY
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK
In celebration of National Safe Boating Week, the local Okeechobee USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 57 will be holding an Open House on Saturday May 16, 2015 at our Okee-Tantie Station. At this event we’ll have:
- U.S.C.G. vessels on display Knot tying sessions
- Personal floatation (life jacket) fit and selection training
- Free vessel examinations
- Free Hot Dogs and drinks
The Open House will run from 10:00am to 3:00pm, so bring the entire family and meet your local guardians of the water. The Flotilla is located at 10430 Hwy 78 West, Okeechobee, FL.
BOATING CLASSES
Did You Know? Florida law requires that persons born on or after January 1, 1988, complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boater education course prior to operating a vessel powered by a motor of 10hp or more. In addition, these individuals must carry their course completion card and a photo ID while operating a powerboat or personal watercraft. The local USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 57 offers an approved boaters safety course, “About Boating Safety” at its Okee-Tantie Station. Topics presented include; Introduction to Boating Law, Boat Safety Equipment, Safe Boating, Navigation, Boating Problems, Trailering- Storing-and-Protecting Your Boat, River Boating, and Hunting and Fishing boat related issues. Classes are held at the Okee-Tantie Station located at 10430 Hwy 78 West, Okeechobee, FL. Classes begin at 9:00am and run through 5:00pm. The cost is $ 35.00 at the door with additional family members only $ 15.00 each.
Pre-register for a $10.00 savings on the $35.00 course fee 5-days prior to the scheduled class date. Additional family member fees remain $15.00 each. Send your check with your full name and telephone number to: USCG Aux 57, 5009 Buchanan Drive, Ft Pierce, FL 34982
For further information call Jerry at (772) 466-8591 or Frank (772) 465-1319. Class Dates are: May 16, 2015 and June 20, 2015
FREE VESSEL EXAMINATION
As part of the services offered to boaters by the USCG Auxiliary, the local Flotilla 57 Station will provide free 14-point Vessel Safety Examinations on Saturday May 2, 2015 and Tuesday June 2, 2015 from 10:am to 2:00pm.
About the Flotilla
More than 15-years ago the Okeechobee Coast Guard Auxiliary opened its doors that lead to the present Okee-Tantie training center that is located just a few hundred yards from the shores of Lake Okeechobee. Since that time the members have proudly served their mission of: to promote and improve Recreational Boating Safety; to provide trained crews and facilities to augment the Coast Guard and enhance safety and security of our ports, waterways, and coastal regions; and to support Coast Guard operational, administrative, and logistical requirements. If you are interesting in joining our organization or just want to learn more about us, come to one of our meetings held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at our local Station. Semper Paratus : Always Ready.
ALLIGATORS, CROCODILES GET ACTIVE THIS TIME OF YEAR
BY FWC TONY YOUNG – As spring weather replaces cold winter, Florida’s alligators and crocodiles become active. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) once again reminds state residents and visitors to be cautious when having fun in and around water.
Florida is home to two native crocodilians: the American alligator, which is found in all 67 counties; and the American crocodile, which may be found in coastal areas of the Keys and in southeast and southwest Florida. Both species have shared Florida’s waters with people for centuries.
The FWC recommends keeping pets away from the water. There are other precautionary measures people should take to reduce the chance of conflicts with alligators and crocodiles, and they are available in the Living with Alligators brochure at MyFWC.com/ Alligator and the Living with Crocodiles brochure at MyFWC.com/Crocodile. The FWC advises people who have concerns with an alligator or crocodile posing a threat to people, pets or property, to call the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286).
Alligators and crocodiles are an important part of Florida’s heritage and play a valuable role in the habitats where they live. For more information on alligators and crocodiles, visit MyFWC.com/ Alligator.
IF YOU DON’T WANT MORE CORN IN YOUR GAS TANK, SPEAK UP NOW
THE ISSUE: The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the 2005 federal law that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. When it was written, it assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to rise and mandated escalating amounts of biofuels to be blended with our fuel. Since 2005, however, gasoline usage has actually declined steadily, which today forces more ethanol into less gasoline.
To keep up with this RFS mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15% ethanol) into the marketplace. Even though E15 is prohibited from being used in marine engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, small engines like lawnmowers and leaf blowers, as well as any vehicle made before 2001, this fuel can now be found at over 100 stations in 16 states at the very same pumps as E10 and ethanol-free gasoline.
Over 60% of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) half million members as well as millions of recreational boaters fill their boat’s fuel tanks at roadside gas stations where the higher blend ethanol fuels are often the cheapest fuel at the pump. This creates a huge potential for mis-fueling and puts boaters at risk.
ACTION NEEDED NOW: For years, BoatUS has been battling in Washington to make sure recreational boat owners can buy gasoline that works with their recreational boat engines. Senators Diane Feinstein and Pat Toomey have now introduced S. 577, the “Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015” in the US Senate.
This bill, which has both Democrat and Republican support, will effectively remove the government mandate for higher blends of corn-based ethanol fuels (more than 10%) and allow for investment in other more compatible biofuels. BoatUS believes it is a critical step to solving the ethanol issue and urges America’s boat owners to contact their Senator now to become a co-sponsor and supporter of S. 577. Boaters can easily do this at: http://goo.gl/S4bWMu. For more on the Renewable Fuel Standard go to www.BoatUS.com/gov.
WHO: Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its over half million members with government representation, fighting against unfair federal taxes, fees and regulations that single out boat owners. BoatUS is also non-partisan working on both sides of the aisle as well as with state agencies to promote boating laws that make sense.
FLORIDA SCHOOL DEDICATES GUY HARVEY RESEARCH CENTER
APRIL 10TH, 2015 – Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale named its newest research facility the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center because of Harvey’s support of the university’s scholarship, research and conservation of marine life.
The official naming ceremony was to be held today at the Oceanographic Center in John U. Lloyd State Park. Expected attendees include Harvey; George L. Hanbury, president and CEO of the university; and university trustees, students, faculty and staff.
“Nova Southeastern University has had a long-standing relationship with Dr. Harvey, and we’re thrilled that will continue for many more years to come,” Hanbury said in a statement. “His generosity is ensuring today’s leaders in marine sciences teach and pass on their expertise to tomorrow’s researchers. I am very pleased that Guy Harvey is putting his name — literally — on the growing legacy of our Oceanographic Center.”
“I am honored to have my name on such a high-profile building in South Florida that is doing cutting-edge marine science research,” Harvey said. “It is the latest and most significant step in an incredible partnership with NSU that began 16 years ago. And it is my hope that the work that will be done in the future in this building will make a significant difference in the lives of many individuals and the conservation of our oceans’ resources.”
