Ethical Fishing Aboard the Miami Science- Juniper Publishers
Juniper Publishers - Journal of Oceanography Introduction Background: Recreational fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry in the state of Florida according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FFWC). In recent years recreational saltwater fishing license sales have exceeded a count of 1.5 million annually . With millions of people taking to the water every year to try their luck in some of the best fishing waters around the water, there is a significant need for angler education about the legal, ethical, and sustainable implications that surround angling in south Florida. Shown in Figure 1 , the Miami Science Barge (the Barge) has been docked on the waters of Biscayne Bay just north of downtown Miami since April of 2016. The only program of its kind in Miami-Dade County, this 4,000 square foot platform operates research-scale systems for sustainable aquaculture and agriculture, renewable energy, environmental restoration, and water conservation. Winn...