MSRP Awards Youth Fishing Outreach Grants
Youth Fishing Outreach Grants Awarded to Local Organizations
Los Angeles Conservation corpsmembers learning how to fish on Redondo Pier.
MSRP awarded four fishing outreach grants this year supporting a wide range of activities and reaching a diverse group of youth in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The award recipients are the Friends of Colorado Lagoon, SEA Lab, City of Los Angeles, and the United Anglers of Southern California. Each program approaches fishing outreach in a unique way.
Friends of Colorado Lagoon (FOCL)
FOCL is a non-profit organization with a mission to protect the Colorado Lagoon located in Long Beach, California and provide public education to promote stewardship of this important area. FOCL is incorporating the concepts from the What’s the Catch? comic book into their existing outreach program. They have also introduced a special Sunday Funday Fishday event into their regular summer programming. This event includes a variety of activities at the lagoon such as beach seining, identifying fish, and discussing marine contaminants.
SEA Lab
Los Angeles Conservation Corps’ (LACC) SEA Lab located in Redondo Beach, California is educating corpsmembers on the benefits of recreational fishing and the alternatives to consuming contaminated fish species. This is the third year of outreach funding for SEA Lab to continue their “Fun Fishing Program.” Participants learn fish identification, engage in pier fishing, demonstrate proper handling and releasing of fish, and practice preparation of fish for consumption that reduces their intake of contaminants. Outreach to public schools is also included this year with a goal of reaching 600 students by the end of the program.
Boy shows fish he caught from the Cabrillo Pier during the City of Los Angeles fishing program.
City of Los Angeles
The City of Los Angeles Recreational Department has been leading fishing trips to the Cabrillo pier for youth during summer camp for 20 years. In 2010, their funding was cut and they could not continue their fishing program. MSRP was able to fund their program in 2011 continuing this important community activity. The City of Los Angeles also added an educational component to their regular fishing program to include concepts from the What’s the Catch? comic book. One week before a group goes fishing the youth would watch a mime presentation about the messages in the comic book and get a copy to take home.
United Anglers of Southern California (UASC)
UASC has a long track record of promoting fishing among families and youth in southern California. This year UASC is partnering with the Rotary Club of Los Alamitos/Seal Beach to provide additional outreach support to their annual youth fishing derby. The Rotary Club has been sponsoring this event for 20 years. UASC is presenting safe fishing messages to youth participants at the event. UASC is also providing give-aways, event coordination, and media relations for the fishing derby.
