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Youth Ambassadors

bonefish and tarpon trust youth ambassadors

The future of our oceans is in the hands of the next generation of anglers and conservationists. The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Youth Ambassadors Program recognizes outstanding young leaders in flats fishing and ocean conservation. If you or someone you know would like to participate, please check out our application below!

Meet our Youth Ambassadors

jack

Jack

Jack Tanner is from Falls Church, Virginia, and grew up fishing with his dad on the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. His favorite species to fish for are brook trout, American shad, and striped bass. Jack notes that striped bass “are very sensitive to pollution and overfishing, which is why it is crucial to not only monitor the population of the fish but also to protect them so they can grow to trophy size.” His favorite subject in school is Math, and when he’s not fishing, he enjoys tying flies, playing football, and weightlifting.

Shelby

Shelby Berger is a native Virginian who learned to fish with her father at a young age. She has had the opportunity to travel around the world to fish, visiting places like the Florida Keys, Hawaii and New Zealand. Aside from fishing, Shelby enjoys playing tennis, music, and studying Marine Ecology and scuba diving.

Mike

Hailing from Grand Bahama, “Big Mike” is a fourth-generation flats fisherman, and was taught how to fish by his father. Mike likes to target bonefish, snapper, and barracuda, but tarpon are his all-time favorite species! While he spends a lot of time on the water, Mike also enjoys sports and is very involved in extracurricular activities at his school.

Stevie

Stevie was Bonefish and Tarpon Trust’s first inducted Youth Ambassador, and she has not slowed down since! She is an accomplished angler, and caught her first permit at the young age of eleven. Stevie is passionate about conservation, and often spends her time cleaning beaches in her area and researching ways she can help keep our oceans clean.

Parker

Parker is our first youth ambassador from Mexico, and also holds the position of our youngest ambassador. He is a fourth grade student in Punta Allen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, and spends his free time cooking and baking, fly-tying, playing soccer and hunting for scorpions. His favorite species to fish for are barracuda, cubera snapper, and, of course, bonefish!

News & Insights from BTT's Youth Ambassadors