This blog is dedicated to the environmental well-being of our Florida coastal habitat.

This blog is
dedicated to the environmental well-being of coastal habitat.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Guard: Sand barriers not a ‘viable solution'

http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20100527/ARTICLES/100529362/1292?Title=Guard-Sand-barriers-not-a-8216-viable-solution-
- houmatoday.com

Sarasota Bay Watch Event TONIGHT

Reminder Snook Watch Event This Evening!

Sarasota Bay Watch in cooperation with the Snook Foundation will be presenting Snook Watch at the Sarasota Outboard Club, 1763 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island, Sarasota from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on the evening of Thursday May 27, 2010. Experts including Captain Scott Moore, Ron Taylor, lead Snook Biologist, Florida Wildlife Commission, Dr. Nate Brenan, PhD, Mote Marine Laboratory, Senior Scientist, Snook Stock Enhancement and Rick Roberts of the Snook Foundation will discuss the status of snook in Sarasota Bay. You'll also learn how you can help determine the extent of the damage caused by the January 2010 freeze. Participants will be able to bid on prizes including a trip for two with fly fishing legend Chico Fernandez.

Tiger shark causes stir at Nokomis Beach

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100527/ARTICLE/5271068/2416/NEWS?Title=Tiger-shark-causes-stir-at-Nokomis-Beach
- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Sarasota County Govt.: Oil Spill Emergency Response Information Center

http://www.scgov.net/OilSpill.asp

Florida's Deep Water Horizon Response

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been designated the lead state agency for responding to potential impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill along Florida’s shoreline. The website below will serve as the primary location for updates and information on response actions and impacts to the state of Florida.

Check the latest news and conditions in Florida on this frequently updated website:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/

Emerson Point Indian Mounds

Emerson Point Park sits north of Manatee River on a peninsula
jutting out into Tampa Bay. The Park is west of the town of Palmetto.
There are several pre-Columbian Indian shell mounds in the park.
Today, many of them are covered with vegetation.
The view of the Sunshine State Parkway was taken
from the top of the mound pictured below.


From this mound, it would have been possible to see
Hernando DeSoto and his fleet of ships sailing into Tampa Bay.

The Gulf in Peril

http://web.naplesnews.com/deeptrouble/deeptrouble.html
- Naples Daily News

Fishing crew reports tar balls in net

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/may/24/dry-tortugas-fishing-crew-reports-haul-tar-coated-/
- Naples News

Loggerhead nesting is under way

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20105220356
- Fort Myers News Press

Fort Myers Beach renourishment moves ahead

http://www.news-press.com/article/20100525/NEWS0109/100525018/1075/Fort-Myers-Beach-renourishment-moves-ahead
- Ft. Myers News Press

Friday, May 21, 2010

HURRICANE SEASON AND OIL SPILL PRESENTATION

HURRICANE SEASON AND OIL SPILL PRESENTATION - June 1, 11:30 a.m., networking event and luncheon hosted by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce with special guest Ed McCrane, Sarasota County emergency management chief. Event to be at Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 1940 Stickney Point Rd. For reservations, call 349-3800.

Mote to launch oil-seeking sub off Keys

http://keysnews.com/node/23398
- Key West News

Oil plume nears West Florida Shelf fishing ground

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100521/ARTICLE/5211044/2416
- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Rocks added to fight erosion at Apollo Beach Nature Park

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/rocks-added-to-fight-erosion-at-apollo-beach-nature-park/1096103
- St. Petersberg Times

See photos of 2007 Preservation Project attempt:

http://southshore2.tbo:.com/content/2007/nov/07/ss-no-cliff-hanger-at-beach/news/

Additional Photos 2007
http://agrecol.com/project_gallery/default_flash.aspx?c=35#id=35&num=1

Apollo Beach Nature Park General Description
copied from: http://southshoretampabay.com/NaturalAreas/GuideBookFiles/apollo-beach-nature-park.pdf

Size: 63 acres. This site is very unusual due to the fact that it consists entirely of dredge and fill
material at the north end of the Apollo Beach development. When originally nominated by members of the Apollo Beach community, the site failed to qualify for preservation under the ELAP Program’s guidelines, due to the lack of natural conditions. The program does allow a project to be considered if a conceptual restoration plan with an identified source of funding is submitted as part of the nomination. The citizens were able to get a commitment from the Southwest Florida Water
Management District’s Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program, enabling the site to qualify for acquisition. Hillsborough County purchased the site in 1996, with joint funding
from the Florida Communities Trust. In spite of the fact that the Apollo Beach community is a waterfront development, no allowance was made by the developer for public access to the shoreline. As a result of this purchase, the Apollo Beach community finally gained access for all to the Tampa Bay shoreline.

Location and Access

The site is located at the north end of Surfside Blvd. From US Hwy 41, go west on Apollo Beach Blvd. to the end, then turn right on Surfside Blvd.

Environmental Significance

As stated above, the site consisted entirely of dredged fill material when purchased by the County.

A condition of the acquisition was that the majority of the property would undergo habitat restoration.The SWIM program designed a restoration plan that included the removal of over 400,000cubic yards of fill material, creating a system of dunes, small islands, high marsh, tidal and subtidalwetlands in the north and east portions of the property. The excavation phase started in early 2004, and the project should be substantially completed by mid-summer, 2004. The project is
expected to provide valuable estuarine habitat in an area of Tampa Bay that has been heavily degraded by past development. A whole host of native species will benefit from the new habitat, including shorebirds, fish, invertebrates, manatees, and especially people who live nearby or visit
the site.

Mote project aims to boost snook population

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100521/ARTICLE/100529965/2071/NEWS?Title=Mote-project-aims-to-boost-snook-population
- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Florida Keys dodge tar ball bullet,, but oil spill enters loop current

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/19/1636938/officials-florida-keys-tar-balls.html
- Miami Herald

Found on South Lido bayside beach: Nickerbean

This sand dune Nickerbean has thorns on its stems .Plants are erect or spreading and vine-like. If erect in habit, they may attain a height of approximately 4 feet; if reclining or spreading, and using other vegetation for support, the stems may grow as much as 18 - 20 feet in length. Sharp spines cover the stems, which may grow to 2 or more inches in diameter.

... and thorns on its seed pods.

Beach snail (smalller than photo) leaves a trail in sand.


First turtle nest of season spotted on LBK

http://www.yourobserver.com/news/longboat-key/News/051820106243/First-turtle-nest-of-season-spotted-on-LBK
Longboat Key Observer

Robinson Preserve Workday

Saturday, May 22: Volunteer work day to collect and spread native seeds, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street N.W. and 17th Avenue N.W., Bradenton, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 748-4501, ext. 4605.

Snook Watch May 27, 2010

Sarasota Bay Watch in cooperation with the Snook Foundation will be presenting Snook Watch at the Sarasota Outboard Club, 1763 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island, Sarasota from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on the evening of Thursday May 27, 2010.
Experts including Captain Scott Moore, Ron Taylor, lead Snook Biologist, Florida Wildlife Commission, Dr. Nate Brenan, PhD, Mote Marine Laboratory, Senior Scientist, Snook Stock Enhancement and Rick Roberts of the Snook Foundation will discuss the status of snook in Sarasota Bay. You'll also learn how you can help determine the extent of the damage caused by the January 2010 freeze. Participants will be able to bid on prizes including a trip for two with fly fishing legend Chico Fernandez For information, directions and to sign up go to www.snookfoundation.org or call Sarasota Bay Watch at (941) 953-5333. www.sarasotabaywatch.org

Monday, May 17, 2010

Concerns grow that Gulf oil spill could reach Florida Keys

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/17/1633374/concerns-grow-that-gulf-oil-spill.html
- Miami Herald

Shifting shorelines

Currents in Sarasota Bay slowly change shorelines.
Trees and plants come and go.
Native Cabbage - Quickpoint

Florida Recreational Fishing Season

Recreational red snapper season is from June 1 to July 23 this
year and applies to State as well as Federal waters in the Gulf.
The bag limit is 2 fish per person but the captain & crew of a
charter boat are not allowed any. The minimum size is 16 inches.
The season for recreational and commercial fishing of shallow water
groupers in Atlantic and Monroe County waters opened on
May 1.
Regulations for bonefish will be extended to Federal waters on
July 1. The bag limit is 1 per person.Minimum length is 18 inches
using hook-and-line gear only.
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
http://www.myfwc.com/

Deep sea oil plumes, dispersants endanger reefs

http://www.news-press.com/article/20100517/GREEN/100517010/1075/Deep-sea-oil-plumes--dispersants-endanger-reefs
- Ft. Myers News Press

Sunday, May 16, 2010

New Snorkeling Trip Schedule

Go snorkeling with Peg Williams, an expert on local shells. Snorkelers must have their own equipment; mask, fins and snorkel. All trips are on Thursdays at 10 AM. A donation of five dollars would be appreciated. Call Peg at( 941) 355-2291.

May 27 Point of Rocks

June 3 New Pass ( Quickpoint parking area)

June 17 Point of Rocks

July 1 New Pass


Peggy Williams: Shell Collecting Trips
author of Shallow Water Turridae of Florida and the Caribbean

Visit website: www.Shelltrips.com
PO Box 575
Tallevast FL 34270
(941) 355-2291

Meet Sarasota Bay's dolphin family

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100516/ARTICLE/5161024/2416/NEWS?Title=Meet-Sarasota-Bay-s-dolphin-family
- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Quick Point Website

http://www.longboatkey.org/Parks/quick_point.htm

Quickpoint Fishing

Quickpoint is the nature park north of the bridge over New Pass.
It's on the south end of Longboat Key.

On a nice Spring weekend, there is good fishing
on the ramp under the bridge and walkways nearby.

These live shrimp make great bait.

Spanish mackerel were abundant in New Pass.
This lucky fish is a "catch & release" specimen.

8-inch tar balls wash up on Fourchon beach

http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20100514/ARTICLES/100519513/1292?Title=8-inch-tar-balls-wash-up-on-Fourchon-beach
- Houma Today

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Bird Key Park Construction

Bird Key Park in Sarasota Bay off Ringling Bridge is being completely renovated.
However, only the west half is being worked on, now.
Thus, the parking lot on the east end is open.
One can walk in the shallows for the length of the beach.


Florida Keys coral grower's pioneering work aids reef restoration

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/08/1620435/florida-keys-coral-growers-pioneering.html
- Miami Herald

Oil threatens Panhandle's rare and fragile creatures

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100509/ARTICLE/5091023/2416/NEWS?Title=Oil-threatens-Panhandle-s-rare-and-fragile-creatures
- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Two decades later, Rose Bay to return to former health

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/volusia/os-rose-bay-restoration-celebration-20100504,0,2585808.story
- Orlando Sentinel

Monitoring oil spill in Sarasota

Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota will use an Internet site it created to report red tide and other coastal conditions (mote.org/beaches) to relay information if oil is found on any of 33 beaches it monitors along Florida's Gulf coast.

http://www.mote.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=beach%20conditions%20reports&category=Main