Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission High School Fishing Program

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions (FWC) High School Fishing program announces Costa Sunglasses as the premiere sponsor of the programs conservation project initiative. The student angler participants must complete at least one conservation project in order to qualify for the funding associated with the program. Costa is offering incentives for participants to complete multiple conservation initiatives through its Kick Plastic sponsorship.

The Costa Kick Plastic conservation project encourages student anglers to practice the conservation principles that the High School Fishing program curriculum teaches, said Jon Fury, FWCs director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. We are thrilled that Costa is partnering with us on this initiative to encourage the next generation of conservationists.

FWCs High School Fishing program welcomed 15 new and 15 existing student angling clubs in Florida to the program earlier this year, offering funding for the clubs that committed to complete the provided curriculum, as well as pre- and post-tests, and at least one conservation project. Program mentors, such as West Marine, partner local store staff with the clubs to provide support and hands-on training in knot-tying and fishing gear assembly, as well as assistance with the clubs local events to increase the student anglers confidence in the sport of fishing.

The Costa Kick Plastic conservation project awards points per club participation in a number of conservation-minded activities that aim to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution. The clubs are competing in a three-tiered prizing structure with a grand prize, as well as second and third place prizes that feature Costa sunglasses, backpacks, hats and other Costa products. The final date for club submission to be eligible to win the Costa prize packs is April 15, 2019. The winners will be announced in May.

Costa is proud to sponsor programs that aim to educate a new generation about the importance of conservation, said T.J. McMeniman, vice president of marketing for Costa Sunglasses. Our oceans, lakes and waterways are some of our greatest assets. It is our mission at Costa to help ensure clean, healthy waters for years to come, which is why we devote considerable time and resources to conservation efforts that raise awareness, protect fisheries and enrich water-based communities.

Costa has been manufacturing handcrafted, high quality, performance sunglasses for outdoor enthusiasts since 1983. Costa recognized that Americans were making more trash than ever before and far too much of it was ending up in our waters. As manufacturers and anglers, they were in a unique position to do something about it. Costa committed to reducing their packaging where possible, using more recycled materials and continuing to explore more improvements in the future. Costa Kick Plastic aims to raise awareness of plastic ocean pollution and to inspire change to help reduce it.
Information about the 2019 High School Fishing program will be announced in the summer of 2019. For more information about the High School Fishing program, email Amber Nabors at Amber.Nabors@MyFWC.com.