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Community Involvement

Ongoing support of the Palm Beach International Boat Show allows the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County to give back to the community each year by funding local marine-related events and nonprofits making a difference to protect and promote the marine industry in Palm Beach County and beyond. Due to the increasing success of the Boat Show, the MIAPBC is proud to increase its community support funding to local charitable and service organizations. Here are just some of those organizations making a positive impact in our community and to our marine environment:

ANDREW "RED" HARRIS FOUNDATION

fish

Andrew "Red" Harris was a promising young man and lifelong Jupiter resident. He loved diving and fishing in the ocean waters off northern Palm Beach County. Tragically, Andrew was struck by a boat while saving a friend's life snorkeling June 8, 2014.

His family and friends formed the Andrew "Red" Harris Foundation to honor his memory and assure he is not forgotten. They believe helping to ensure the long-term health and vibrancy of our local ocean by building artificial reefs in the waters where he loved to dive and fish off northern Palm Beach County is the best way to do so. They want to honor Andrew's memory and preserve his legacy by building artificial reefs in Palm Beach County that will enhance the marine environment and benefit the people of South Florida. One hundred percent of contributions go to building artificial reefs.

 

ANGLER ACTION FOUNDATION

snook

The mission of AAF is to aid in the protection and preservation of current fish populations for future generations by facilitating coordination between anglers, researchers, and policy makers. The organization supports unbiased and responsible fishery and marine regulations and conservation, preservation, restoration, and enhancement of estuarine and coastal water habitats. Its primary service project, the Angler Action Program (AAP), has blossomed into the premier recreational angler data collection platform on the planet, with multiple partners and platforms. Through the AAP, AAF has given an unprecedented voice in the management of our fisheries. If you would like to become involved or make a contribution, please join AAF today. Or contact brett@angleraction.org or call 561 707 8923.

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THE BIG DOG FAT CAT KDW SHOOTOUT

THE BIG DOG FAT CAT KDW SHOOTOUT

The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County is proud to be a sponsor of the Big Dog Fat Cat KDW Tournament that benefits two outstanding local animal organizations.

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THE CASTAWAYS SAILING CLUB ANNUAL CASTAWAYS CUP

SAILBOATS ON THE ocean

A two-day point-to-point regatta dedicated to fellowship, fun, and friendly racing! When the St. Lucie Inlet is deemed safe after emergency dredging is completed, it is our intention to resume our traditional Castaway Cup Weekend at the Hutchinson Island Marriott.

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CHASEN' TAILZ

Chasen Tailz logo

The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County is proud to be a sponsor of Chasentailz KDW Fishing Tournament that benefits Chasentailz a nonprofit dedicated to changing the lives of needy families with children battling life threatening illnesses. We change lives by relieving financial stress to provide families more time to create forever memories with their children and connect them with other families/resources.

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THE CROSSING FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS

the crossing for cystic fibrosis logo

The Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis is a long-distance endurance paddle challenge and international championship race that takes paddlers 80 miles across the Gulf Stream from Bimini in the Bahamas back to the Florida mainland. The event was inspired because of the incredible health benefits of the Ocean for those living with cystic fibrosis, a terminal lung disease. Travis Suit's daughter Piper was diagnosed with CF when she was four years old.

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FLORIDA FISHING ACADEMY

trailer

The FFA has spent 11 years delivering a highly celebrated, custom-designed fishing education and life skills program to over 18,508 Palm Beach County elementary, middle and high school students. At its heart, the Angling For a Healthy Future curriculum is an environmental awareness initiative that teaches children - tomorrow's boaters, anglers and environmental stewards - to enjoy Florida's fragile marine resources in a way that preserves the ecosystem for generations to come. The program also arms these kids with the tools and knowledge to resist the temptations of the streets and to gain a richer appreciation for our local waters. Some even use what we teach them to pursue jobs in the marine industries. To date, FFA has helped over 320 students find jobs and certified 152 students as American Red Cross lifeguards. In 2017 alone, the FFA had 3,750 students of all ages participate in its camps and weekend events.

This year, FFA was able to complete building a fun, interactive public-messaging Mobile Marine Lab. With this new hands-on educational program, students explore a working model of Florida's watershed, the effects of pollution and beach erosion and how it relates to the marine-life food chain. They have the opportunity to hold various marine critters in a touch tank, and participate in an oil spill clean-up activity. These activities will explore the importance of water quality, conservation and a healthy marine environment.

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KEEP PALM BEACH COUNTY BEAUTIFUL

people in yellow gloves cleaning up the beach

The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is the world's largest, one-day volunteer effort to clean up the marine environment. Every September, volunteers from over 100 countries descend on local beaches, rivers, lakes and canals to show their commitment to cleaner waterways. The Ocean Conservancy, the world's largest organization focusing exclusively on the health of the marine environment, has sponsored this annual event for the past 31 years. In Palm Beach County, the Cleanup is extended to additional dates through November.

The ICC is much more than just removing trash. By providing detailed, standardized data on paper data cards, or electronically through the Clean Swell app, volunteers gather valuable information about the types and sources of debris found. Analyzed and tracked year by year, this information serves as a powerful tool for educating the public, influencing public policy, and effecting positive behavioral change on the part of individuals, organizations and communities.

Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. (KPBCB) coordinates the ICC in Palm Beach County. Volunteers will clean sites from Boca Raton to Tequesta and will receive free t-shirts (while supplies last) to commemorate the event and their efforts. Volunteers should pre-register and get additional information by contacting the volunteer coordinator listed for the site they're interested in.

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KIDS FISHING DAY

kid holding a fish

It's all about introducing kids to fishing and our marine environment! Since 1988, the Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation, along with the assistance of volunteers and important community partners like the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County has conducted an annual Kid's Fishing Day Program. Each year, hundreds of less fortunate, at-risk and special needs children from throughout Palm Beach County experience what most of us take for granted, a day of boating and fishing on the ocean. It takes three days and 12 separate drift boat trips to get all the kids on the water. More importantly, because of this program's strong educational component, the kids learn all about our marine environment and why we need to protect it. This is accomplished through a variety of hands-on educational stations based on land, which includes the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission's Marine Touch Tank.

To date, over 10,000 special kids have participated in this heartwarming community outreach event. The program is free of charge to those who participate and is made possible each year through the generosity of many sponsors and volunteers. Each child receives an event t-shirt, lunch, drinks, dessert, and an official certificate of participation. If that wasn't enough, every kid goes home with a brand new fishing rod and reel. 'Big fish' awards are presented to those lucky enough to catch the largest fish on each drift boat trip. Of course, each child walks away with special memories of a fun day on the water and a better understanding of our unique marine environment. For many, this ocean adventure is a first time experience. Seeing flying fish, sea turtles and large oceanic predators like sharks is a thrill not soon forgotten! We believe programs like our Kid's Fishing Day help build better citizens and environmental stewards for the future.

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LOGGERHEAD MARINE LIFE CENTER

people holding a giant check
The MIAPBC Board of Directors presents Loggerhead Marinelife Center with a $10,000 check for its pier initiative.

Nestled along Florida's Atlantic coast in Juno Beach, Florida, Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) has protected Florida's coastal ecosystems and provided ocean conservation education to children, families, and visitors for over 30 years. The non-profit facility offers free admission and educates over 300,000 visitors annually on their continued mission; to promote conservation of Florida's coastal ecosystems with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles.

The center is adjacent to one of the most densely nested loggerhead sea turtle beaches in the world, providing staff biologists with 9.5 miles of beach to monitor to further research on the precious and endangered sea turtle. LMC's campus features an on-site, world-class sea turtle hospital, several aquariums buzzing with various marine life, hands-on exhibits, an interactive learning center and an outdoor Recovery Yard, hosting the center's sea turtle patients that are viewable to the public.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center offers various choices of weekly educational programs, with most of them being free. All of these programs educate people about ocean conservation, encouraging them to pass this new found knowledge on to friends and family. Some of these new programs include: Science for Seniors, Hammock Hikes, Mommy and Me Paint Class and Eco-Paddle Tours.

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MARINE EDUCATION INITIATIVE

silhouette of person fishing

Marine Education Initiative is a 501c3 organization focused on using the sport of fishing as a mechanism to immerse and educate socio-economically disadvantaged children about their local marine and/or freshwater environments; while also working with fishing tournaments to collect and clean already caught fish to be served at soup kitchens to minimize any potential waste and provide a nutritious meal.

The Marine Education Initiative uses the sport of fishing to keep the children engaged, but emphasizes proper ways to fish and the need to adhere to local regulations to preserve fish stocks for the future. Since 2007, their programs have run in Boca Raton, FL/ Miami, FL/ Durham, NC/Nassau, Bahamas/Abaco, Bahamas and on the island of St. Martin. The Marine Education Initiative has taught over 1,200 children in South Florida, provided over 2,300 hot meals of fresh fish to Boca Helping Hands Soup Kitchen, and has utilized 600 youth and adult volunteers their many community efforts. The Marine Education Initiative has also been the recipient of multiple national accolades including the 2010 USA Weekend National Make a Difference Day Award.

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NORTH PALM BEACH ROWING CLUB

person rowing

NPBRC is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization formed in January, 2007, by rowers, coxswains, coaches and friends who are committed to spreading our love of the sport throughout south Florida. They do this by sharing the athletic, health, educational and social benefits of rowing through classes, programs, and outreach. Additionally, the NPBRC works with the community to enhance the recreational quality of local waterways and contribute to the vibrant south Florida culture.

Learn to row programs are open to the public and provide a fun, safe way to learn how to row under the watchful supervision of coaches and adult members. Youth teams are open to middle and high school students, ages 12-18. NPBRC's teams compete successfully around the country. Its Youth Program is open to students from any area school. Masters teams are open to area adults who want to learn the sport, enjoy our waterways, or participate in local and national regattas. The NPBRC has both competitive and recreational groups. No prior experience is necessary.

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PALM BEACH COUNTY FISHING FOUNDATION

girl fishing

The Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation (PBCFF) is the charitable affiliate of the 83-year-old West Palm Beach Fishing Club (WPBFC). The mission of the PBCFF is to fill a community need by developing and producing marine education, conservation and historic preservation programs that will have a lasting and beneficial impact on the youth, marine resources and history of Palm Beach County. To accomplish its mission the PBCFF produces a variety of local initiatives including Kids Fishing Days, Rods & Reels for Kids, annual scholarships at area high schools and universities, and numerous marine habitat enhancement projects. The PBCFF has achieved many significant conservation and educational milestones since its inception.

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PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION

palm beach state college

The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County is proud to support the Martin E. Murphy, Sr. Scholarship for students attending the Palm Beach State College Marine Service Technology program.

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PALM BEACH COUNTY KDW CLASSIC

man and kids holding up KDW prize plaques

The West Palm Beach Fishing Club annually produces one of the largest and most popular "KDW style" tournaments in South Florida. The event is called the Palm Beach County KDW Classic and is headquartered at the Riviera Beach Municipal Marina each year on the first Saturday following the Memorial Day holiday weekend. This one-day tournament is fun, affordable and very family oriented. There are cash payouts eight places deep for the heaviest kingfish, dolphin and wahoo, plus ten cash prizes for junior anglers! There are plenty of other ways to win and the event also features a huge raffle.Tournament proceeds support the marine conservation and youth education initiatives of the non-profit West Palm Beach Fishing Club and the Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation.

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TARAS OCEANOGRAPHIC FOUNDATION

dolphins

The Foundation is named after Taras, the son of Poseidon, who, when Taras was shipwrecked, rescued him by sending a dolphin, which Taras rode to traverse the sea to the south of Italy. Brought ashore, Taras founded the city of Tarentum, today known as Taranto. Our vision is to advance our knowledge about dolphins and the long-term survival of both people and the oceans, through research, education, and cultural programs.

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YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION OF THE PALM BEACHES

sailboats

Sailing has a long tradition of providing character building life experiences to young people in a fun and safe outdoor environment.

The Youth Sailing Foundation of the Palm Beaches was created to build a sustainable sailing infrastructure working with existing sailing and youth programs in our community.

Since 2015 they have acquired equipment to supplement the youth sailing program at Palm Beach Sailing Club including 14 dinghies (C420s and FJs) for high school and college sailing, a trailer to transport Opti dinghies to regattas across the state, and a Hobie Wave for recreational sailing. They provide financial assistance to allow young sailors to participate in race team and summer programs. They also coordinate several lagoon cleanup efforts to make a direct impact in the community and provide sailors with exposure to environmental issues.

You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram @YSFPB, and contact Tom Homberger at foundation@ysfpb.org to find out how you can help support youth sailing in Palm Beach County.

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Waterway Preservation

LAGOONKEEPERS.ORG

Lagoonkeepers.org is dedicated to the waters of Palm Beach County, by removing floating debris on a daily basis therefore improving the quality of the water for everyone's benefit and environmental health. Daily We patrol the Intracoastal Waterway in search of debris or debris sources that could adversely effect the health of our waters and remove such debris and or work to eliminate the sources of debris that have been identified. On Call LagoonKeepers.org performs a community service by responding to calls by the local marine law enforcement units to remove boating hazards from the Intracoastal Waterway in Palm Beach County. Events Organized cleanups allow others to participate in the care of the waters of Palm Beach County nurturing a sense of pride and ownership. Ultimate Goal Is to foster a sense of ownership in the Lake Worth Lagoon for the preservation and environmental health of the Lagoon so that it may continue to be an economic and recreational source for all to enjoy. lagoonkeepers.org
boat lit up at night

Created in 1985 by the Board of County Commissioners, local government officials, commercial and recreational anglers, SCUBA divers, scientists, and conservationists review, discuss, and make recommendations for artificial reef and estuarine enhancement projects. pbcgov.com

The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association proudly represents the interests of commercial and recreational users of the waterway. AIWA is the only organization dedicated to ensuring the future of the AIWW and, as such, we have earned the reputation of being "The Voice of the Waterway." Our members hail from 39 states and Canada and include both commercial and recreational users. atlanticintracoastal.org

The LWLI is a partnership-driven effort to support increasing awareness of Palm Beach County's largest estuary and implement solutions to protect and enhance this valuable natural system. We invite you to learn more about our work and to join us in supporting efforts to enhance fish and wildlife habitat, improve and protect water quality, and increase public awareness of the Lagoon. lwli.org

Other Community Partnerships

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD PBC
bdb.org

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE PALM BEACHES
palmbeaches.org

DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES
thepalmbeaches.com

LEADERSHIP PALM BEACH COUNTY
leadershippbc.org

PALM BEACH COUNTY DIVING ASSOCIATION
divepbc.com

PALM BEACH COUNTY LEAGUE OF CITIES
palmbeachcountyleagueofcities.com

PALM BEACH NORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
npbchamber.com

WEST PALM BEACH FISHING CLUB
https://westpalmbeachfishingclub.org

PBC ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
pbcgov.org

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