BugFest schedule: BugFest-by-the-Sea, the annual celebration of lobster miniseason, which is Wednesday and Thursday, features seminars Saturday at Jarvis Hall in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Divers Alert Network covers the risks and hazards of lobster diving from 6-7 p.m. on. From 7-8, Jim “Chiefy” Mathie, author of “Catching the BUG: The Comprehensive Guide to Catching the Spiny Lobster,” has a lobster how-to seminar. Cost is $25 and free if you bring or buy a copy of Mathie’s book. Also, The Great Florida Bug Hunt is Wednesday and Thursday with prizes for the biggest and heaviest total weight of lobsters and raffle prizes for Bug Hunt participants. Entry fee is $20. Register online at lbtsevents.com by clicking on BugFest.
Boating class: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 54 has a free safe boating class from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with a 45-minute lunch break) Saturday at Harvey Oyer Park in Boynton Beach. The course covers boat handling, safety equipment, docking, line handling, knot tying, rules of the road, elementary navigation and new federal and state laws. The cost, including workbook and all related materials, is being paid for by the Perry J. Cohen Foundation, which is named after one of the youngsters who was lost at sea last summer. For information and to register, call 561-331-2429.
Saltwater Showdown: For the first time in the history of the Pompano Beach Saltwater Circuit, the 18th annual Mercury/SeaVee Pompano Beach Saltwater Showdown is an open event that any boat can fish. In previous years, boats had to qualify to fish the circuit’s third and final event. The Showdown is Aug. 6 with the weigh-in at the Sands Harbor Resort & Marina. The entry fee is $375 per boat ($475 after Friday). Visit saltwatershowdown.com or call 954-725-4010.
Tournament proceeds: The Blazing Mako Tournament & Festival held last month at the Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost in Islamorada, raised $27,027 for marine sciences scholarships at Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography.
