For the Cumberland Times-News
Cumberland Times-News
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GRANTSVILLE — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service has selected three community ponds as test sites for a new Backyard Fishing Program. The purpose of this initiative is to create fishing opportunities for kids in easily accessible and safe areas and to provide learning experiences to inspire natural resource stewardship.
“The Backyard Fishing Program gives Maryland children the opportunity to experience fishing while they are young,” said Gov. Martin O'Malley. “Our kids deserve the same rights and opportunities to enjoy the natural world around them that we enjoyed when we were young. Experiencing the outdoors will help create a smarter, greener generation of stewards.”
The Fisheries Service is stocking these ponds with hybrid sunfish and will manage the areas to provide youth fishing opportunities throughout the summer months. The fish are raised by juvenile offenders enrolled in the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Aquaculture Certificate Program. In 2009, an aquaculture and environmental science center was built at the Meadow Mountain Youth Center to support a science, math, engineering and technical program for adjudicated youth. Watermen were hired to build the facility as part of the governor’s program to reduce the economic impact of blue crab conservation measures.
“I caught my first fish at age 4, and it is a lasting memory,” recalls DNR Inland Fisheries Director Don Cosden.
“But it was those endless summer days of catching bluegills at a neighbor’s pond that left me with an undying love for the outdoors and the desire to protect it for future generations.”
The The Backyard Fishing initiative is inspired by the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. “Catch a fish” is one of the rights covered by the bill which was issued by the governor last year.
