Students pursuing advanced degrees in marine science will soon get some tuition support from Maryland’s conservation-minded anglers.
The Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland (CCAMD) has established a scholarship fund to support qualified recipients who are on a masters or doctoral degree-track in the University of Maryland Marine Estuarine Environmental Science Program.
According to CCAMD Executive Director, David Sikorski, “The fund’s mission is to ensure and enhance healthy fisheries by encouraging and supporting the brightest marine science students.”
An initial $25,000 endowment came as a contribution and liquidation of an independent scholarship fund managed by volunteers of the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association (MSSA), which has disbanded.
Peter Abbott, the former president of the MSSA scholarship fund committee, said, “I am pleased to report that some of our former board members and I will assist CCA in the start-up of this effort to help educate the future scientists, engineers, and resource managers who will devote their careers to solving environmental problems that threaten the sustainability of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.”
Over its 23-year history, the MSSA Scholarship Fund awarded more than $400,000 in 188 scholarships.
CCAMD is the Maryland chapter of CCA, a nonprofit organization made up of 130,000-plus recreational anglers and others working to conserve and restore coastal marine resources.
The fund is entirely donor-funded. Click here to donate to the fund; Contributions are tax deductible.
-Joe Evans
