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TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation honoring August 9 as
National Marina Day. To celebrate the day, designated Clean Marinas with the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) are hosting special events across the state to highlight the importance of protecting Florida’s
waterways at their environmentally-friendly marine facilities.
“With more than 2,000 facilities and a $14 billion marine industry, Florida’s marinas are an integral part of
protecting Florida’s environment,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “By celebrating National Marina Day and
adopting eco-friendly practices year-round, Clean Marinas help to raise awareness of the importance of preserving
Florida’s waterways.”
Since 2001, the second Saturday in August has been recognized as National Marina Day by the National Marine
Manufacturers Association and the Association of Marine Industries. With the primary mission being public
education, National Marina Day emphasizes the importance of the marine industry as a family-friendly gateway to
our rivers, lakes and oceans, and highlights the importance of being a steward of the environment. Recognizing
the importance of waterways, designated Clean Marinas in St. Petersburg, Miami, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Hollywood
and Amelia Island are providing clean boating outreach and information along with events and activities.
“National Marina Day is an excellent time to recognize the hard work of Florida’s
Clean Marinas in protecting the
environment,” said Clean Boating Partnership Chair John Naybor of Pensacola. “Members of DEP’s
Clean Marina Program
stand out as environmental leaders.”
Florida Clean Marinas offering “go green” boating information and events on Saturday include:
- Amelia Island Yacht Basin - 251 Creekside Drive, Amelia Island
The marina will host the Trey Durrance Leukemia Benefit and Bike Run, the Amelia Island Sailing Club
Poker Run and a BBQ featuring live entertainment from noon to 6 p.m. Yacht brokers, service representatives
and vendors will be represented, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department.
- City of Hollywood Marina - 700 Polk Street, Hollywood
The marina will host a Cardboard Boat Race with entertainment, hotdogs and beverages. The event begins at
noon with races starting at 1 p.m.
- City of Miami – Miamarina at Bayside - 401 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
The city of Miami will host the 2nd Annual Miami Fishing Tournament to commemorate National Marina Day.
- Fish Tale Marina - 7225 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers
The marina will host a picnic on the deck for customers beginning at noon. The facility will also host
kayak demo rides from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Fishermen’s Village Yacht Basin - 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
The marina will host National Marina Day festivities from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Live music will be offered
from 5-9 p.m. This year’s theme is Environmental Stewardship of Charlotte Harbor.
- The Harborage Marina at Bayboro – Wet Slip Marina – 1110 3rd Street South, St. Petersburg
The marina will provide music, food and fun from noon to 4 p.m. Other agencies such as the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also will provide
educational materials to the public.
In conjunction with DEP, the Clean Boating Partnership developed Florida’s
Clean Marina, Clean Boatyard, Clean Marine Retailer
and Clean Boater Programs in 1996 to protect Florida’s waterways. The Florida
Clean Marina Program designated its first member
in 2000 and now has 170 Clean Marinas, 29 Clean Boatyards and four
Clean Marine Retailers.
The Clean Boating Partnership is a consortium of industry leaders who contribute time and input to the
Clean Marina,
Clean Boatyard, Clean Marine Retailer and Clean Boater programs, which DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives administers,
to protect Florida’s waterways. The partnership includes DEP, Marine Industries Association of Florida, Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida Sea Grant Program, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard
Auxiliary. Through sponsored workshops, technical assistance, conferences and dedication ceremonies, the partnership
educates the boating community about pollution prevention and protecting Florida’s waterways.
DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary, non-regulatory programs that assist Florida
industry and citizens in protecting the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida
Green Lodging Program and
the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including on-site assessments, consultations,
speakers and workshops, all at no cost to citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs
is to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for future generations. To learn more
about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/green/.
For more information on National Marina Day events, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/marina_day.htm. For more
information on DEP’s Clean Marina Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/default.htm. To view the Governor’s
proclamation, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/files/marinadayproclamation_2008.pdf.
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