Pictured above are a middle school student and Nicholas Metropulos, Executive Director of the Marine Education Initiative which educates and empowers socio-economically disadvantaged middle school students to preserve their marine ecosystems.

The Marine Education Initiative has two core programs: 1) and education program for middle school students to teach them about marine life (called the Responsible Angling Program) and how to fish with a fishing rod and 2) fish preparation and donation program (called the Fishing Tournament Donation Program).

The Responsible Angling Program includes:

  • 30-WEEK E-STEM CURRICULUM
    Conservation centric environmental STEM after school programming
  • HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION
    Conservation centric environmental STEM after school programming
  • TAUGHT TO DISADVANTAGED YOUTH
    Instructed through Boys & Girls Clubs and Florence Fuller throughout South Florida

The Fishing Tournament Donation Program includes:

  • COLLECT FISH
    Partnering with local fishing tournaments to collect unwanted fish
  • FILLET/PACKAGE
    Volunteers fillet, clean, and package the fish fillets to be delivered
  • DELIVER FOR MEALS
    Deliver the fresh fish to local homeless food kitchens in South Florida, where it is cooked and served.

Pia pointed out that much of the prepared fish is delivered to Boca Helping Hands where it is prepared and served over 150 meals a day.