CLINT WATERS STUDENT AWARD IN MARINE, ESTUARINE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
From Cambridge, Md., Clint Waters (1941-2015) loved fishing and supported the sport throughout his life. He obtained his captain's license in 1996, running fishing charters from 1997 through 2002 under the name of "Reeler Charter Fishing." He served as president of the Dorchester County Chapter of the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association (MSSA) from 1998 until the time of his death. He spent countless hours producing newsletters for MSSA and volunteering for special events like the Dorchester Family/Kids' Fishing Tournament. He was also a strong advocate of the MSSA's college scholarship foundation.
Mr. Waters was passionate about creating artificial oyster reef habitats, which involve depositing concrete reef balls designed for oyster development and growth. The reef balls also provide structure and habitat for local fish, which create enhanced sports fishing opportunities. Cook's Point is a man-made oyster reef near the mouth of the Choptank River. He was instrumental in starting the project at Cook's Point, his favorite reef site, with reef balls produced by him, his MSSA crew and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Currently, over 1500 reef balls reside in the Choptank River off Cook's Point.
Mr. Waters used to tell his fellow anglers that the best fishing hole in the Choptank River was a place called Cook's Point. He was not telling fish stories when he reported he routinely caught up to seven different species there: striped bass, hardhead, white perch, spot and more. Some anglers have even snagged legal black sea bass, fish rarely seen around the Chesapeake Bay over the past 100 years.
In 2016, the MSSA Dorchester County Chapter and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation proposed to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that Cook's Point Reef be re-named in memory of Clint Waters. The DNR approved the re-naming of the reef to the Clint Waters Reef.
The Mid-Shore Fishing Club (formerly the Dorchester County MSSA Chapter) is proud to establish this student award in memory of Clint Waters.