Page 10 - Palm City Spotlight - March '24

Page 10, Palm City Spotlight

Treasure Coast in Your CommunitY

Outdoors

The Stuart Sailfish Club
Began The Catch And

Release Program Character Counts! Update

By Jim Weix January 2024
If you like offshore
fishing; this might be the
club you want to join. Trust
The Stuart Sailfish Throughout the month of January, the Character Counts!
Club Foundation (SSCF) curriculum focused on teaching the Trust Pillar, emphasizing the
began in the 1930s fundamental values of honesty, reliability, and integrity. Students
and was incorporated engaged in various activities and discussions aimed at
in 1941 as a nonprofit cultivating trust within themselves and their communities.
organization. It is one Lessons included exploring the importance of keeping promises,
of the oldest and most being transparent in communication, and demonstrating
prestigious fishing clubs consistency in behavior. Through role-playing scenarios, group
in the United States. It was the first to encourage the exercises, and reflective journaling, students learned practical
conservation of game fish and to promote fishing in strategies for building and maintaining trust in their
relationships with peers, teachers, and family members. By
area waters. internalizing the principles of trust, students were empowered to
Meanwhile, in Stuart, Fla., the largest sailfish run in become dependable and trustworthy individuals, contributing
Florida’s history occurred off the St. Lucie Inlet and club positively to their school environment and beyond.
records show an excess of 5,000 sailfish were caught
with many single boats catching 20 in a day. On the Joe Kordick Award Winner
peak day recorded, more than 200 sailfish were boated
by 40 charter and private boats. While many sportsmen Nereida Campos, a graduate of South Fork High School in 2023, found
released their fish, far too many were slaughtered. her life trajectory profoundly altered upon receiving the JKA Award,
That slaughter led to an idea that is championed igniting a newfound passion for education. Initially inclined towards a
today, 75 years later. Captain Curt Whiticar suggested career in tattoo artistry, Nereida's perspective shifted as the award
afforded her the opportunity to enroll in her first three classes at Indian
and later designed a yellow gold and enamel release River State College, where she now pursues a major in Computer
pin to be awarded for letting a sailfish live and thus Science. The award not only influenced her decision to attend college
began the club’s promotion of conservation policies in but also instilled in her a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude
earnest. The pin had a gold sailfish leaping across the towards those who recognized her contributions.
deep blue of the Gulf Stream with white fluffy clouds
and enclosed in a silver band. Ernie Lyons, editor of Character Counts! in the Community
the Stuart News, reported, “Release buttons are worn The partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County and the
as a league of honor among sail fisherman, pledged to Martin County School District is a testament to the commitment to
the sport, and not to the wasteful killing of a species.” character development within the community. Through this
The Stuart Sailfish Club is one of the oldest collaboration, the values of Character Counts! are prominently
sport-fishing clubs represented on every school bus throughout the county, serving as a
constant reminder of the importance of integrity, respect,
in the United States, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
and the pursuit of
sailfish is one of This visible display of the Character Counts!
curriculum reflects the deep investment in instilling
the original tourist these core values into the hearts and minds of
draws to this area. students across Martin County. By showcasing
Now, with a seven- Character Counts! throughout the town, the
decade-long history partnership proudly exemplifies the dedication to
fostering a community of principled individuals
of conservation, The who contribute positively to society.
Stuart Sailfish Club maintains the same strong visions
today. From the novice fisherman to the saltiest boat
captain, SSCF has something to offer everyone.
Go to https://stuartsailfishclub.com/ for membership
information.
Editor’s note: Jim Weix is an avid hunter, angler, Treasure Coast Hospice
conservationist, as well as an outdoor writer. Jim is A TREASURE HEALTH SERVICE
included in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s
Hall of Fame for helping restore thousands of acres
of wetlands. Jim is a broker associate with The Keyes
Company. He can be reached at (772) 341-2941 or by We’re Here When You Need Us
email: jimweix@jimweix.com.

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