thebahamasweekly.com - Teach a Man to Fish: Duke University student making a difference in Nassau‏

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

International
Teach a Man to Fish: Duke University student making a difference in Nassau‏
By Robbin Whachell, The Bahamas Weekly News Team
Jul 26, 2012 - 5:09:15 PM

Group Photo at Bonefish Pond- discussion on mangroves and their importance to the Bahamas

Nassau, Bahamas - Lucas Metropulos, President and Founder of an organization called Fishing for Families in Need, Inc.started his program at the young age of 15 in his hometown of Boca Raton, FL after an experience in Nassau, Bahamas. In 2007, he traveled to Nassau to visit family friends. He said that the Maillis Family, who have lived in The Bahamas for over 100 years, took him fishing and showed him the beauty of the Bahamas. "They showed me the creatures that live in the oceans, how to fish, and most importantly how to give back to the community," said Metropulos.

When he got back home and pondered his summer experience he said he realized he had to do something with the knowledge and experience he had just gained. "I started a fishing program to teach children how to fish responsibly and be good stewards of the sea. I started with 6 children and soon had taught over 150," said the 19 year old sophomore at Duke University, who has been featured in over 20 different local and national media sources, even the front page of USA Weekend Magazine. "I am spreading the program to more cities around the United States, but I applied for a grant at my school to bring the program back to its birthplace in Nassau."

Conch Salad Cooking Class- the children were shown how to catch conch, clean it, and prepare it

Metropulos was approved and is now spending 8 weeks this summer in Nassau offering the program to the Ranfurly Home for Children; however he was approached by Valentino "Scrooge" Brown and Alexandra Maillis, and was asked to do the program with children from Hay Street as well. "After speaking with Scrooge and many locals I have realized that Hay Street is an area that needs attention especially the children," said Metropulos. "I am working with the children and teaching them how to fish, about marine conservation, how to make conch salad, how to spearfish, local rules and regulations, about possible careers in the fishing industry, etc." This Saturday he will be taking the Hay Street and Ranfurly Home children out for a fun day of fishing on the south side of the island. Additionally, they will all go on a snorkel adventure on a nearby reef.

Casting Class- Children were taught how to cast both hand lines and fishing rods

Each child will be provided with their own hand-line and snorkel/mask so that they can immerse themselves in the ocean into the future. "My goals are to give these children a summer experience that they will not soon forget, build their confidence so that they can face other challenges they are facing, bring more attention to the children of Nassau, and hopefully provide a new hobby that can positively impact society by hopefully keeping these children away from bad habits," he said.

Learn more about his program at Fishing for Families in Need www.f4fn.com

White Crab discussion and catching class