The Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association was founded in 1952. It is classified as a trade organization.
There are 2 types of membership.

The first is a general member
General members are our existing guides from Monroe County. In order to become a general member you must:

A. Be a full time guide and Monroe county resident
B. Have guided full time for at least 2 years.
C. Have a sponsor that is already an existing member.
D. Have valid Captain License and Occupational License
E. Pay Dues consisting of $200.00, $100 of which goes to your 5-year membership.

The other type of membership is Associate member.

Help support restoration projects, sponsor individuals travel to speak on our behalf about conservation issues, give grants to local schools for students to participate in research projects and donate funds to local organizations like the Wild Bird Rehabilitation center run by Laura Quinn, the Barley Bay Festival named after Mary Barley of the Save Our Everglades Foundation and the Sea Grass Outreach Program.

Associate members are individuals from all over the U.S. Associate members are basically supporters of the FKFGA. Their dues ($25 yearly) go into our general fund. There is an elected board of directors that oversee the disbursement of our funds.

The FKFGA is also the main fundraiser for the Don Hawley Foundation. The Hawley is used to assist guides or persons related to the local fishing industry in the event they become injured and unable to work. Our biggest fundraiser is the annual Swamp Guides Ball. The FKFGA board makes recommendations to the Hawley board when we are approached for assistance. Last year the Hawley donated about $25,000 in $5,000 increments to assist guides and their families. The donations are put into accounts and used to pay medical bills, mortgages, fill prescriptions and other various needs. Every applicant must meet a certain criteria before being considered for assistance. Once again the FKFGA board makes those decisions based on a set criteria.

We are also active in making recommendations to Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park about areas that need protection and ways to enhance fisheries.

I hope this answered your questions, but if not please feel free to E-Mail the Florida Keys Guides Association.

Sincerely,
Capt. Tad Burke/ commodore FKFGA