Origin of the Old Salt Foundation
In 1971 the Gulf Oceanographic Development Foundation, Inc. under the direction of Dr. Robert Smith, Director of the State University System Institute of Oceanography, began to explore the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Loop Current.
Fishing expeditions were organized to investigate theories developed by the scientists. Since the initial fishing expedition and subsequent efforts were closely associated with the Loop Current’s unusual scientific phenomena, a descriptive name was given the effort - Operation Loop Development – Suncoast Angler’s Loop Tournament – (O.L.D. S.A.L.T.) The Old Salt Fishing Club was born.
Thus a partnership between fisherman and the scientific community was forged.
This
partnership organized a fishing expedition in search of the Loop Current
- (warm Caribbean waters that enter the Gulf of Mexico through the Yucatan
Straits). Once in the Gulf this current “loops” and exits through
the Straits of Florida to become the Gulf Stream. That tournament, the Old
Salt Loop Tournament is currently in it’s 32nd year of operation,
and is held annually in August.
Since the loop expeditions, the club has continued to assist the scientific community. The club has helped support many projects including the Pinellas County Artificial Reef Project, the development of the Magnuson Act (Gulf Of Mexico Fishery Management Council) and assisted in investigating the American Cancer Society’s interest in the connection between environmental cancer and Red Tides.
To this day , The Old Salt's aid the scientific community wherever and whenever possible.
