An annual fishing festival drew in the large crowd this weekend. With this the festival enters its 27th year. According to the organizers the festival drew the attention of nearly 10,000 people. The festival is a big annual event in Cortez, which is one of the last fishing villages on Florida’s gulf coast. The event highlights the commercial fishing industry.
Allen Garner of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage pointed out that there was a lot of negative press about the commercial fishing industry so it was an opportunity to show people the good side of the industry and make people more aware of environmental issues and things that affect the ability of Florida’s fishermen to produce seafood. Garner opined that this year, the theme was all about claws. There are two main types of crabs that are harvested here on the Suncoast; Blue Crabs and Stone Crabs.
It is certain that such event helps a lot to the fishermen and the companies in theihr respective business. The proceeds that were raised from the festival will go towards purchasing the fish preserve, which is a 95-parcel tract of land east of Cortez Village. The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage informed that restoring the preserve will protect Sarasota Bay and the habitats for animals that call the bay home.
