OnBoard Magazine - Issue XVI - 2024 Season

2024 EVENT CALENDAR Viking VIP Winter Preview Riviera Beach, FL Mid-Atlantic Sports & Boat Show Virginia Beach, VA Miami International Boat Show Miami, FL OC Seaside Boat Show Ocean City, MD Palm Beach International Boat Show West Palm Beach, FL Viking Key West Challenge Key West, FL Bay Bridge Boat Show Stevensville, MD Hampton Dock Walk Hampton, VA Crystal Coast Dock Walk Morehead City, NC Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament Morehead City, NC Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Morehead City, NC Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament Virginia Beach, VA Hatteras Marlin Club Release Tournament Hatteras Village, NC Big Rock Kids Billfish Tournament Morehead City, NC Ocean City Tuna Tournament Ocean City, MD Ducks Unlimited Billfish Tournament Morehead City, NC Marlins for Mason Ocean City, MD White Marlin Open Ocean City, MD 2 FEB 2 FEB 14 FEB 16 FEB 21 MAR 3 APR 12 APR 3 MAY 18 MAY 7 JUN 8 JUN 19 JUN 23 JUN 10 JUL 12 JUL 17 JUL 1 AUG 3 AUG Alice Kelly Ladies Billfish Tournament Manteo, NC Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament Manteo, NC The MidAtlantic Tournament Ocean City, MD Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament Virginia Beach, VA United States Powerboat Show Annapolis, MD Annapolis Show VIP Party Annapolis, MD Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show Ft. Lauderdale, FL Fish for a Cure Annapolis, MD 9 AUG 12 AUG 18 AUG 21 AUG 3 OCT 5 OCT 30 OCT 9 NOV Maryland Virginia North Carolina Florida 877.269.3021 BLUEWATERYACHTSALES.COM BLUEWATER SUMMER CRUISE ST. MICHAELS MARINA ST. MICHAELS, MD JULY 12-14 BYS_postcard.indd 2 4/26/2024 1:01:55 PM eye lenses. We use this [information] in long-term studies in our own lab and also send samples to other researchers across the country.” This data can be beneficial in understanding the diets, movement and health of each species and can be used to helpinformfishandwildlifepolicymakers in important management decisions. Through this collaboration between citizens and scientists, fish observations and samples can help managers better balance the sustainability of each fishery while respecting recreational and commercial interests. Additionally, CMAST is actively researching emerging environmental concerns, such as the accumulation of microplastics in marine organisms, including blue marlin. This research underscores the opportunities to study and address contemporary challenges in marine conservation via partnerships in the recreational fishing industry. In turn, CMAST has become one of the many beneficiaries of the impressive charitable funds raised by the Big Rock tournament, with the 2023 event giving back over $1.6 million to a variety of deserving organizations. Initiatives like these highlight the importance of collaboration and public engagement in marine conservation and demonstrate how scientific research can inform and enhance sustainable management practices of our fisheries and ecosystems and make our coastal economies more resilient. “As Bluewater Yacht Sales strives to help steward the marine resources that support our livelihoods and bring us all so much joy, CMAST has emerged as an ideal organization for us to support,” says General Manager Wyatt Lane. In addition to our sponsorship support of the Big Rock tournament, Bluewater is excited to be leading a Safe Harbor Members Event to the CMAST facility in June of 2024 to learn more about their programs and research. For more information and to support CMAST’s many important initiatives, visit: https://cmast.ncsu.edu/help-us-with-our-mission/ 8 BLUEWATER

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