Cortez, Fla. (October 4th, 2022) – The Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum is hosting a free opportunity for the public to come chat with commercial fishermen about local fisheries Florida at the 24th Annual Cortez Nautical Flea Market on Saturday, October 8th.
Come speak to commercial fishermen about what they catch and how they target specific fisheries.
Ask questions about equipment used and what they’ve seen out on the water. This is an open forum for the public’s questions about the commercial fishing industry and all ages are encouraged to participate.
This event is a part of “Stories from the Gulf Coast Commercial Fishing Industry in Cortez: Environmental Changes,” a multi-dimensional project with a primary focus on oral histories. The project was grant funded early in 2022 by Florida Humanities with matching funds provided by Bradenton Area Arts and Culture.
The two participating fishermen, Art Shiver and Tim Caniff, were a part of the ten oral history interviews that were conducted earlier in the year as a part of the grant. Art is a part-time mullet fisherman and Tim is a bait fisherman. Art will be available for questions from 9:30AM to 10:30AM and Tim will be available from 11:00AM to 12:00PM at the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum’s booth during the Nautical Flea Market.
“We think Nautical Flea Market is the perfect venue to facilitate these types of interactions. Who hasn’t wished for a chance to have a one-on-one conversation with an expert?” said museum supervisor, Tori Chasey. “This event draws a mixed crowd, with both commercial and recreational fishers, boaters, the whole salt life crowd. We are excited to offer this opportunity to engage in a meaningful way, and particularly want to encourage kids to attend Nautical Flea Market and ask questions!”
Since its inception in 2012, the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum mission is to support the Florida Maritime Museum to collect, preserve and share traditional knowledge, cultural artifacts and personal stories of Florida’s fishing and maritime heritage through community outreach, education and financial support. The Friends also help to bring the Museum’s historical perspective full circle by educating the public on the transformations facing Florida’s present day commercial fishing industries.
Nautical Flea Market will be held on Saturday, October 8th (with a rain date of October 15th) from 8:30AM to 12:30PM and the fishermen will be available for questions from 9:30AM to 10:30AM and 11:00 AM to 12:00PM. The event is held at the Florida Maritime Museum and the Cortez Cultural Center. Free event parking available in F.I.S.H. Preserve at 116th St. and Cortez Ave.
For more information, LIKE Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum on Facebook, FOLLOW the organization on Instagram, or visit FLMaritimeFriends.org.
*Funding for this program was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with Funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
About the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum: The Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum is a registered 501(c)3 founded in 2012 to support the mission of the Florida Maritime Museum. For more information, visit www.FLMaritimeFriends.org.
About Florida Humanities: Florida Humanities, the statewide, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the history, literature, culture, and personal stories that offer Floridians a better understanding of themselves, their communities, and their state. Since 1973, Florida Humanities has awarded more than $16 million in support of statewide cultural resources and public programs strongly rooted in the humanities. Learn more at www.FloridaHumanities.org.