29th Annual
WEEK OF THE OCEAN
SCHOOL MARINE FAIR

A National Week of the Ocean Festival Sea-son Event
April 6 - 12, 2008

CO-SPONSORED BY
Broward County School System
IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum
National Week of the Ocean, Inc.

NATIONAL WEEK OF THE OCEAN ANNOUNCES ITS
2008 COMMUNITY MARINE AWARDS

National Week of the Ocean, currently celebrating its 29th annual Week of the Ocean Festival Sea-son, has announced the following Community Marine Awards presented Thursday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m. in conjunction with its School Marine Fair at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, according to Cynthia Hancock, president and co-founder.

EDUCATION AWARDS

OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL MARINE STUDENTS

BRITTANY FIGUEROA is a Junior at Cooper City High who is enrolled in the Marine Science Honors classes. She is an excellent student who has great concern for the fate of our world's reefs. She is also concerned with animal rights and conservation. She proposes that teens be exposed to the reef environment with a state-funded snorkeling trip off Key Largo. She feels this would initiate a passion that might lead to a career in the marine sciences.

KENNY GONZALEZ , a Junior at Stranahan High, is also an excellent student who is enrolled in Marine Science. During an oil spill lab he showed insight and creativity with a potential idea for mitigation. He is also a conscientious fisherman. He has presented his recent Marine Lab field trip experience to other students.

DAVID MacKINNON is a Senior at William T. McFatter Technical Center.
For an Eagle Scout project David initiated a Reef Ball installation at the Oleta River State Park in North Miami. This required both research and raising $1,300 as a donation from his father's United Association Local Union 725, a group of air conditioning, refrigeration and pipe fitters.. The union's business manager, Kenneth Scott, gave an additional $300 to the project. David's goal was to give aquatic life the best home possible. In all, 11 reef balls were built and installed. Within a year they should turn into viable ecosystems for coral, algae and fish.

ERIKA SCHWARZ is a Junior at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High. She is an excellent student with a strong interest in both the environment and government. She has organized a new club called Future Animal Professionals of America at her school and hopes to study veterinary medicine in college.

Outstanding High School Students

NORTHEAST HIGH for excellent participation in the Outstanding High School Marine Student program
nominating 6 students since the program was initiated in 1983.

STRANAHAN HIGH SCHOOL
for excellent participation in the Outstanding High School Marine Student program
nominating 6 students since the program was initiated in 1983.

Week of the Ocean School Marine Fair

BROWARD COUNTY SCHOOLS - outstanding participation in the
School Marine Fair which has involved more than 1 million students due to Broward County classroom teachers and the ongoing support of the Broward County School System:

Flamingo Elementary - 20 years
Crystal Lake Middle School * 16 years
Western High * 13 years

IGFA JUNIOR ANGLERS
The IGFA Junior Angler Camp teaches children the importance of conserving aquatic ecosystems for future sport fishing recreation and life itself. Over 1200 children have learned and practiced aquatic conservation through hands-on experiences and field trips throughout Southeast Florida in the past five years.


HOLLYWOOD PARKS & RECREATION & HOLLYWOOD BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR HOLLYWOOD'S SCIENCE, EDUCATION & ADVENTURE S.E.A. CAMP
Nominated by National Week of the Ocean

Last year the department initiated its first science-focused summer camp.
Local school teachers and an involved City Commission helped make the program a success and introduced a new way to reach out in a new way to Hollywood's diverse community.

The Science, Education and Adventure Camp is designed as a classroom without walls. With funding from the Hollywood Beach Community Redevelopment Agency District and support from Broward County Children's Services Council, 150 children ages 8-14 were enrolled in Summer 2005.

The students received hands-on learning experiences during daily field trips involving marine biology, swimming, kayaking, scuba/snorkeling, water safety and rescue. Their experiences improved their knowledge of marine sciences and ecology and paved the way for their involvement in preserving fragile eco systems for future generations.

INDIVIDUAL OF THE YEAR

JENNIFER GIBSON presented by Ocean Watch Foundation

Jennifer Gibson, an Ocean Watch directors, filled a tremendous void when she agreed to lead its Conservation and Education Team when its team leader moved out of state. This is one of Ocean Watch's most active teams and, through its programs, fulfills its mission: Preserve, protect and educate.

Through Jennifer's close work with each program leader, the following programs were able to be continued without interruption and in some cases expanded: 1) Mooring Buoy Inspection Program; 2) Fish Identification Program; 3) Monofilament Recycling Program and
4) Adopt A Shore Program.

Jennifer currently teaches 7th and 8th grade science at American Heritage in Plantation.

ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

MARINE ANIMAL RESCUE SOCIETY
Submitted by Julie Ciucevich, Ocean Watch Foundation.
Presented by National Week of the Ocean, Inc.

The Marine Animal Rescue Society (MARS) is dedicated to the conservation of marine animals through, rescue, rehabilitation, research, and education. with a Letter of Agreement from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to rescue, rehabilitate, and release marine mammals stranded in South Florida.

On March 2, 2005, a mass stranding of 70 rough-toothed dolphins occurred in Marathon in the Keys. Some died, while others were able to make it to deeper open water, however there were 40 dolphins that needed immediate help. MARS was one of the first responders to this crisis and two dolphins, a male and female, were entrusted to the organization for rehabilitation. At a site on Key Biscayne, a 24-hour camp was quickly set up where over 100 volunteers rallied to save these animals, from providing physical support for them initially to administering food and medicine. While the majority of the original 40 dolphins had died, volunteers worked continuously over the next seven weeks to care for Notch and Naia and nurse them back to health. They were monitored 24/7, with detailed logs completed charting their improvement.

On April 20th, Notch and Naia were successfully released with a tracking device allowing scientists to follow their travels. This was MARS first release in its almost 10-year history. As this anniversary approaches, Ocean Watch nominates the Marine Animal Rescue Society as the Organization of the Year. Without its years of planning, coordinating, and organizing with local, state and federal government agencies, doctors, scientists, and the local and regional community, Notch and Naia's story might have had a different ending.

Anyone wishing to receive more information about National Week of the Ocean or who wish to attend the reception honoring these individuals can R.S.V.P. to National Week of the Ocean by calling 954-462-5573. The cost is $25 per person which includes hors d'oeuvres and beverages and a sneak peek at the Week of the Ocean School Marine Fair.

The event is co-sponsored by National Week of the Ocean, Inc., the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and host, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum located at 300 Gulf Stream Way off Griffin Road & I-95.

NATIONAL WEEK OF THE OCEAN CONCEPTS:
The Campus Event initiated on American Heritage campuses in 1979
The School Marine Fair first observed in 1980
The Community Festival first held at Port Everglades in 1980
and National Week of the Ocean named a commemorative by Congress in 1984 and observed annually in April.

Its mission of preserving the ocean for future generations is carried out by a volunteer non-profit board of directors and community task force leaders. It is a federal and state recognized 501C3..

National Week of the Ocean, Inc.
P.O. Box 179
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302

for more information call:
Cynthia Hancock, Co-Founder and President * 954-462-5573
or e-mail
nwoto@att.net

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