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Before you get depressed from reading pessimistic assessments of the future of our coral reefs or despair in global discoveries of high concentrations of toxic waste in large ocean predators, check with Fred Kraft, the man with a million dollar smile. Kraft, who is the President of the American Institute of Marine Studies (AIMS) recently pledged to donate one million dollars to the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) in order to ”do his part”. Kraft believes that “Businesses need to take a pro-active roll in answering tough questions that we are asking about the future of our oceans.” |
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No newcomer to charitable/philanthropic campaigns involving marine research and education, Mr. Kraft has had over 20 years experience in fund raising. Of his many success stories, this pledge actuates an eight-year endeavor (by AIMS) to amalgamate Broward County Public Schools with local |
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Universities and the Marine Industry. By funding research in the Universities, students with AIMS scholarships have opportunities to make “cutting edge” discoveries in oceanography. Simultaneously they mentor High School and Middle School students that have chosen marine science courses while they are attending magnet schools in South Florida. |
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According to Kraft, "We’re in the business of acquiring yachts as charitable donations. Why not put them to good use?” “ We have a 62’ Whitaker (sports fisherman) and we intend to send it to the Bahamas with a research team from the University’s Center for Sustainable Fisheries. Top scientists from RSMAS will spend a month in the Bahamian Out Islands collecting scientific data and teaching students about a fishery on the brink of collapse. My job is to see to it that they get what they need in order to live, cruise and study aboard these vessels so that many more trips can be planed in the future.” |
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