Caribbean Shores Fishing Camp Inspires Future Conservationists

This summer, more than thirty children from the Caribbean Shores constituency are trading screen time for fishing lines. At a week-long camp at Dolphin Park, young participants are learning practical fishing skills while discovering the importance of protecting Belize’s marine environment. Sponsored by Area Representative Kareem Musa, the program aims to give children more than just a fun vacation activity. Organizers hope it leaves them with valuable life lessons and a deeper connection to nature.

 

John Clayton Burks, Fishing Instructor

“The main goal of my class is to teach them a better appreciation of the environment we have here. You know, part of the best way to experience the environment is to go out and enjoy it, and fishing is one of the best ways to do it.”

 

Kareem Musa, Area Representative, Caribbean Shores

“So today is the first day of the Caribbean Shores Fishing Camp for youths between the ages of six and twelve years old. It’s an exciting summer camp for us because as you know, Caribbean Shores is a community that has the coastline, the wonderful coastline all the way from Buttonwood Bay, all the way up to BTL Park. And so it’s an opportunity for our children to take advantage of this experience. We have a well-known fishing trainer this morning to guide them from the very start of how to hook a line and attach the sinker and cast your line and cast a net. And so, it’s the full experience of fishing. Growing up in Caribbean Shores, I can safely say that that was one of the greatest memories that I had as a young boy. Going to, yes, in the drain, catching pupsi and thereafter throwing the line out by Rock Park and catching some even bigger fish. So it truly is a wonderful experience, and the kids are already having a great time this morning.”

 

A key lesson shared at the camp surrounds what marine life should not be captured and how to safely remove these animals from the line and return them to the water.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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