Over a year ago, Howard Hada from Izorline’s Pro Team introduced Anaheim Union High School District STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) teacher Shawn McBride to Sally Kurz, IGFA Representative for Southern California, during the Long Beach Bart Hall Tackle Show. McBride detailed the youth fishing program he co-founded at Sycamore Jr. High School in Anaheim, CA, with science teacher Bill Cavanagh. Despite the school receiving a George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Grant in 2022, they lacked funding in 2023 for an ocean fishing trip.
IGFA’s Involvement and Support
Recognizing the need, Sally Kurz, who has been involved with IGFA’s Southern California Youth Education Program for many years, arranged a trip aboard Dana Wharf’s sportfishing boat Clemente. Sponsored by Basin Marine and Dana Wharf, the trip included pre-boarding instructions on knot tying, fish identification, and ethical fishing practices. Every student caught a fish and went home with a rod, reel, tackle box, t-shirt, hat, fishing towel, and knot tying kit.
Joining Hubbs-Seaworld Research Institute’s Program
Following the successful trip, Kurz introduced McBride and Cavanagh to the Hubbs-Seaworld Research Institute’s Seabass in the Classroom Program. This STEM initiative involves over 1,000 students across 11 Southern California schools in aquaculture activities. Students grow, feed, monitor, and release white seabass into the ocean, gaining knowledge about sustainable food sources and reducing dependence on imported seafood.
McBride and Cavanagh secured district funding for a specialized classroom fish tank, which arrived in late March. On April 13, the white seabass arrived from the hatchery, greeted by the Mayor of Anaheim, school district officials, students, and community members. Each fish was measured, weighed, and received an electronic cheek tag before being transferred to the grow tank.
On May 20, students, Hubbs staff, teachers, Dana Point Mayor, and community members gathered at Dana Wharf to release the white seabass into the ocean from the sportfishing boat Clemente. Students carefully transferred each fish into the release container, ensuring their electronic tags were functioning properly.
Continue reading about this fantastic youth fishing program endeavor here.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
