Pictured: Coastal arts and crafts and nautical bargains will be plentiful at the Nautical Flea Market. Photo courtesy of Florida Maritime Museum.

If you have questions about the commercial fishing industry in Florida, come on down and ask them this Saturday, October 8th at The 24th Annual Cortez Nautical Flea Market. Adults and children of all ages are invited and encouraged to chat with local fishermen, Art Shiver and Tim Caniff. No questions too big or too small!

The free event is hosted by The Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum, a nonprofit group that supports the museum through community outreach, education and financial support and educates the public on the transformations facing Florida's present day commercial fishing industries.

This event is a part of “Stories from the Gulf Coast Commercial Fishing Industry in Cortez: Environmental Changes,” a multi-dimensional project with a primary focus on oral histories. The project was grant funded early in 2022 by Florida Humanities with matching funds provided by Bradenton Area Arts and Culture. Art Shiver and Tim Caniff were a part of the ten oral history interviews that were conducted earlier in the year as a part of the grant. Art is a part-time mullet fisherman and Tim is a bait fisherman. Art will be available for questions from 9:30AM to 10:30AM and Tim will be available from 11:00AM to 12:00PM at the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum’s booth during the Nautical Flea Market. They will share information about the equipment they use and what they’ve seen out on the water.

“We are so excited to host this fun event where everyone from commercial fisherman to kayaking enthusiasts to art-lovers can interact and engage over a shared love of our local waters," says museum supervisor, Tori Chasey. “We think Nautical Flea Market is the perfect venue to facilitate these types of interactions. Who hasn’t wished for a chance to have a one-on-one conversation with an expert?”

In addition to the informative question/answer sessions, the Flea Market will feature bargains on marine gear and nautical arts & crafts, a food truck, fun activities for all ages, and freebies from local community organizations.

Nautical Flea Market will be held on Saturday, October 8th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Florida Maritime Museum and the Cortez Cultural Center. Free event parking available in F.I.S.H. Preserve at 116th St. and Cortez Ave.

Pictured: Coastal arts and crafts and nautical bargains will be plentiful at the Nautical Flea Market. Photo courtesy of Florida Maritime Museum.