Sebastian Artificial Reef Advocate Honored by Florida Tech

– Bill Hinkel, Sebastian Inlet Sportfishing Association (SISA) treasurer, was honored recently for the organization’s donation of $2,000 to Florida Tech’s
artificial reef research. The university used the donation to purchase a Sony video camera, which will be used by the Departments of Biological Sciences,
and Marine and Environmental Systems, and by the university’s Sportfish Research Institute for underwater research.

Hinkel also was honored for supplying his boat to help deploy and monitor the artificial reefs created by Florida Tech, SISA and Indian River County , and
he participated in many of the university’s underwater surveys. “Capt. Bill has donated tremendous time and resources in support of the reef project, and
it couldn’t have been accomplished without him,” said Dr. Jon Shenker, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and director of the Sportfish Research
Institute. Photographs and video clips of the artificial reefs and their Goliath grouper inhabitants are available at http://www.fit.edu/biology/sportfish
, and at http://www.fishsisa.com/artifici.htm .

The Sportfish Research Institute was established in 2002 to identify and tackle critical research issues to help better manage local sport fishery
resources.

For more information, call (321) 674-8034.

PHOTO: Bill Hinkle (C) is honored by Dr. Jon Shenker, Florida Tech associate professor of biological sciences, and Nikke Hoier, Florida Tech Sportfish
research institute scientist.