The Fisheries Journalism Academy, a free, two-week summer program for Ventura County middle and high school students, will be held July 9 through 20. The application deadline is Thurs., June 28, and space is limited.

Participants must arrange their own transportation to and from the meeting location and be available to attend the entire two weeks of the program. Snacks and lunch will be provided.

Fisheries Journalism Academy activities include guest speakers and discussions with fishery participants, managers and researchers; visits to local harbors and fishing boats; trips to local seafood processing facilities, retail markets and restaurants; tours of local fishery enhancement facilities and marine research/education facilities; a tour of the Ventura County Star and discussions with local journalists; research, writing and artwork development (fish printing).

The academy will be led by Carolynn Culver, marine adviser for Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Culver has more than 15 years of experience working on fishery and other marine resource issues of the Santa Barbara Channel region.

To apply, send name, address, phone number, age, school and grade entering in the fall and a short explanation of why you would like to attend the academy. Send applications to: Susan Gloeckler, 4H Program Supervisor, UCCE, 669 County Square Drive, Ste. 100, Ventura, CA 93003, or fax to (805) 645-1474.

For more information, call Gloeckler at (805) 6626943 or email sygloeckler@ucdavis.edu.