Charter boat captains awarded assistance grant

Key Information:

• Location: Manatee County, Fla.
• Relief Provided: $10,000 grant distributed to local fishermen.
• Recipient Organization: Suncoast Waterkeeper.
• Number of Captains Benefiting: Nine charter captains in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
• Impact of Hurricanes: Captains reported losses of up to $50,000 due to last year’s hurricanes.

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Charter captains in the region are receiving much-needed assistance following significant revenue losses attributed to the previous hurricane season. A nonprofit organization has successfully secured grant funding aimed at supporting both recreational and commercial fishermen in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Captain David White emphasizes the importance of finding the ideal fishing spot. “Well, if they’re snook out there, you know, those baits in the water, you’ll see them hit right on the surface,” he mentioned, reflecting on his experiences. With a decade of experience in the industry, White launched his charter business just last September, shortly before Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck. The aftermath of these storms resulted in him incurring a staggering loss of nearly $50,000.

“I mean, our whole economy here is based on tourism. And of course, there were no rental properties that were open, so it was a rough three or four months for sure,” White explained regarding the hardship faced by himself and fellow captains.

In a bid to alleviate some of the financial strain, he applied for a grant designed to offset his losses. Recently, he was informed that he would receive over $1,100 from Suncoast Waterkeeper, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring local waters.

“Our insurance is about three grand a year. And for me, that’s due in September. So for me, it’s going to go toward my insurance for the year,” White noted. He is not alone in receiving aid; eight other charter captains from Sarasota and Manatee counties are also beneficiaries of the grant.

“I know most of them. Most of them have kids. One guy yesterday, I mean, he’s got a brand-new baby,” White shared, underscoring the shared challenges faced by local fishing families.

Suncoast Waterkeeper successfully applied for the International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund and was awarded $10,000 to distribute among the affected captains. “Each captain had a different story about how this helps them. A lot of them have families, and this has been really helpful in either moving their kid to college or seeing their little ones into the new school year,” he added.

White expressed gratitude, stating, “It’s $1,100 that I didn’t have. So it’s a lot. And just to know that they care.” He remains hopeful that this storm season will yield better outcomes and appreciates the community support he has received during tough times.

This marks the first instance in which Suncoast Waterkeeper has received such a grant to assist local fishing professionals, and the remaining grant recipients are expected to receive their funding next week.