Nature Cruise: Fernandina Beach Shrimping Eco Tours

Amelia River Cruises is offering a special Shrimping Eco Tour 3 days a week during summer 2014. With a marine biologist aboard, an otter trawl net is deployed and dragged behind the boat and its catch dumped into tank for close-up look. A great learning experience!

Charters and Boat Tours Depart Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina
Boat Tours Depart Fernandina Beach Harbor
FERNANDINA BEACH — Amelia River Cruises & Charters is offering a special seasonal Shrimping Eco Tour in 2014. The 2-hour tour departs at 10 am on select dates (from 1 North Front Street in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, the marina at foot of Centre Street).

Get Out On The Water, Learn About Shrimping in Fernandina

The boat tours explore the Tiger Basin, part of the St. Mary’s River Basin. Captain Kevin McCarthy shares the fascinating history of the modern shrimping industry as well as how the local supporting industries have evolved over the last century.

Marine biologist, Justina Dacey, will lead a hands-on demonstration as an otter trawl net is deployed and dragged for 15 minutes behind the boat. The catch is deposited into a tank onboard and Justina shares interesting facts about each creature and the complex estuary that they inhabit before releasing them back into the wild.

UPDATE: These seasonal tours were extended to some dates through September 2014. Adult tickets are $27, Children 4-12 are $17. Children 3 and under are FREE. Amelia River Cruises is pet-friendly and handicap accessible. See more about boat tours and schedule online (reservations are recommended and can be made by visiting the Amelia River Cruises website, or call 904-261-9972).

Source: Press Release