MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — For the first time ever, the Manatee County is hosting a bilingual fishing program, which has been a hit among Spanish-speaking families.

It's all thanks to the George H.W. Bush Vamos a Pescar Education Fund and Florida Youth Conservation Centers Networks.

What You Need To Know

  • The Department of Natural Resources is reaching out to a growing Hispanic community by hosting its first ever bilingual fishing program

  • The program takes families through the basics of fishing and then into the water

  • 100 participants are taking part, and more than half have never been fishing

  • The free class goes until March 17 at the Emerson Point Preserve from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Jannette Cisneros and her children are thrilled to be a part of the program. "We've never been fishing, so this is a first for all of us," she said.

The program takes families through the basics of fishing before they apply those skills.

According to Jannette, it's exciting for them to learn fishing and regulations in Spanish, which is what they understand.

She learned about the program through Facebook and is grateful that it's offered in her native language.

Sara Alvarez, the Education and Volunteer Specialist for the Manatee County Natural Resources Department, explained that the program is about more than just fishing.

"It's a great amazing time for families to get outdoors and develop a relationship with nature that maybe they didn't have in the past," she said.

Families learn about conservation and why it's essential to keep some fish in the water and how to harvest some of the fish they catch.

The program teaches families how to tie knots and use a fishing pole. For Jannette, fishing isn't something her family does.

However, by immersing her children in something new, they will be able to spread this knowledge to other Spanish-speaking families.

For those who can't attend the program, videos are available on the "Manatee County Natural Resources" YouTube page.