Sharkys named Florida's Best Beach Bar

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20130516/ARTICLE/130519736/2416/NEWS?Title=Sharky-s-named-Florida-s-Best-Beach-Bar
-Sarasota Herald Tribune

Hidden Sarasota

http://www.ticketsarasota.com/hidden-sarasota/
- Sarasota Herald Tribune

10 Paddling Trips Near Sarasota

http://www.ticketsarasota.com/2012/04/01/top-10-paddling-trips-near-sarasota/
- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Photos?

My camera is not working.
Please email me a few SHORELINE photos to post,
   marinell3@comcast.net

More Habitat Means More Fish

New report highlights positive impacts of habitat restoration on conservation and economy For many years the American Littoral Society has been at the forefront of habitat restoration in our region. We are restoring oysters and the habitat their reefs provide in Barnegat Bay and Delaware Bay. We are promoting and implementing "Living Shorelines" throughout New Jersey--an innovative technique to restore shallow water habitats while controlling shoreline erosion. Our large-scale scale salt marsh restoration in Jamaica Bay is well under way. All of this work is designed to strengthen fisheries and support the industries (and people) that rely upon them. A new report, More Habitat Means More Fish, makes a compelling case for this special relationship between habitat and healthy commercial and recreational fisheries. It was released earlier today by Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) and the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and co-authored with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Key Findings   More Habitat Means More Fish is packed with real life examples of coastal habitat restoration projects that have been implemented around the U.S. and the positive impact they have had including: Over 75 percent of our nation's commercial fish catch and 80-90 percent of the recreational fish catch depend on key estuary habitat at some point in their lifecycle. Fish populations can respond quickly to habitat improvement and the impact will last over an extended period of time. Rebounds in fish populations can occur within months and persist for years. Since 2000, in Massachusetts and New York, herring, shad and sturgeon have doubled and tripled in population due to habitat restoration projects. Sandy Recovery Connection Coastal habitat restoration has become doubly important in our post-Sandy recovery period and our voice is the loudest advocating for including habitat restoration in NJ and NY recovery plans. Restored habitats such as oyster reefs, natural shorelines and restored tidal marshes can contribute to the overall resilience to storms and help reduce hazards. These benefits, coupled with the economic benefits to our fisheries and the industries supported by healthy, restored, fisheries habitats,  make it crystal clear that restoration of fisheries habitats should be a priority in our recovery from Sandy. Restored habitats can help protect our communities and support the health of our fisheries, and the communities that depend on them. Download the full report

Hands Across the Sand

Volunteer needs are many: outreach, posting flyers, phone banking, organizing bike rides/bus rides/EV drivers, site captains, petition gathering, event set-up/break-down, media, tabling, etc. Volunteer responsibilities can be tailored to your time, talents, and temperament! 

Please join us for an organizational meeting next Tuesday for more information:

WHAT: Hands Across the Sand volunteer meeting 

WHEN: Tuesday, May 7, 2013 6:00 pm

WHERE: The Coffee Loft

              5025 N. Tamiami Trail

           Sarasota, Fl 34234 [get directions]

**If you can't make this meeting and would still like to volunteer, please let us know. We'll make other arrangements to get you the information you need. 

Hands Across the Sand is a movement of people of from walks of life. It is not about politics - it is about the protection of our coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife and fisheries. It’s about preserving our precious drinking water, air, and food. The damage that continues to happen due to offshore oil drilling accidents, hydraulic fracturing, the Alberta tar sands, mountain top removal mining, and the continuing proliferation of coal fired power plants are a threat to us all. Visit the Hands Across the Sand website for more information.

Walt's Fish Market History

http://waltsfish.com/index_files/WaltsHistory.htm

Lemon Bay Cove's bad idea keeps getting worse

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20130502/COLUMNIST/130509939/2416/NEWS?Title=Ernst-Lemon-Bay-Cove-s-bad-idea-keeps-getting-worse
- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Saving the Ocean

http://chedd-angier.com/savingtheocean/index.html

Empty nets in Louisiana three years after the spill

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/27/us/gulf-disaster-fishing-industry/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1
- CNN.com

Sarasota Bay Watch - 2013 Sister Keys Clean Up

Join Sarasota Bay Watch, the Town of Longboat Key,
Kathleen D Sailing Charters and the Chiles Group for the
2013 Sister Keys Clean Up.

WHERE:
The Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant 760 Broadway Street, Longboat Key

WHEN:
Saturday May 11, 2013  

 Sign Up starts at 8:00am at the Mar Vista Restaurant, 760 Broadway Street, North Longboat Key. Participants limited to 75. Clean Up starts at 9:00am and ends at 11:30pm with a complimentary lunch following at the Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant.

South Lido Kayak Launch

On the southeast side of Lido Key, there is a mangrove forest.  The entry road leads to a tunnel in the mangroves where kayaks can launch.  Many outfitters have kayaks for rent. There are kayak trails through the tunnels.  A busy weekend can see many outfitters and many kayakers in evidence.

Bud Doyle's Beach Walk Tally

10 years of beach walks and programs
averaging 30 walks per year, 
averaging 25 folks per walk.
 that's around 7,500 people !!!

Thank you, BUD DOYLE,

Casey Key is FUN

Littoral Society - Sarasota Field Trips

Spring - Summer 2013       Sarasota County on the west coast of Florida boasts some of the most amazing coastal flora, fauna, and habitat in the U.S.  Our Southeast Chapter offers a variety of ways to observe and learn about them. We offer kayaking, guided beach walks, seining, and eco-tours at various times throughout the year. This spring we have one last trip aboard the carefree learner next week and a host of kayak trips to carry you through the summer. Eco-Tours Aboard the Carefree Learner  Get hands-on fun and learn up close about the critters of Sarasota Bay with our expert naturalists and educators. Also see amazing nesting bird life. The boat is small and provides a great experience for people of all ages. The Carefree Learner tours are on Wednesdays at 1 to 3 pm departing from Bayfront Park next to Le Barge, near the Ringling circle. Members $15, Non-members $20, kids (12 and under) $10.  April 24, Contact Loyola at 206-484-7092 -  Last Chance to enjoy this great on-the- water activity until January 2014! Quiet Water Kayaking Enjoy leisurely paddling and observation at a variety of sites difficult to visit by any other means. Kayak, paddles, life vest, etc. supplied. If you haven't used a kayak before, a short training session before the trip will get you going. Members can bring their own kayak and life vests and participate for a $5 donation to the Society. Otherwise, most trips cost $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Trips usually run 3 to 4 hours. May      2  Historic Cortez/Kitchen Preserve  10am  - 1pm      4  Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Point Park  9am - noon      5  Bird Key/South Lido Park  8:30am - 11:30am      8  Palma Sola Bay/Robinson Preserve 10am-2pm   $30 mem-$35 non-mem    16  Waterways of Nokomis  9am - noon    19  Blackburn Pt/Oscar Scherer State Park  8:30am - noon  *21 Sunset/Moonlight Paddle  7pm - 9:30pm  *22 Sunset/Moonlight Paddle  7pm - 9:30pm   26 Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park  8:30am - 11:30am   29  Stump Pass State Park  9am - noon  $25 mem - $30 non-mem   June      1  Myakka River/Snook Haven  8:30am - 11:30am      2  Bird Key/South Lido Park  8:30am - 11:30am      5  Sister Key/Longboat Key  9am - noon      8  Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park  8:30am - 11:30am    22  Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park  8:30am - 11:30am    23  Bird Key/South Lido Park  8:30am  - 11:30am    27  Waterways of Nokomis  8:30am - 11:30am    29  Little Manatee River State Park   9am - 1pm  $30 mem - $35 non-mem   July      4    Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park  8:30am - 11:30am      6    Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Park  8:30am - 11:30am      7   Bird Key/South Lido Park  8:30am - 11:30am    10  Stump Pass St Pk  8:30am - 11:30am   $25 mem - $30 non-mem  *17  Sunset/Moonlight Paddle  7pm - 9:30pm  *18  Sunset/Moonlight Paddle  7pm - 9:30pm    20  Shell Key Preserve/Pinellas Co  9am -1pm  $30 mem - $35 non-mem    21  Bird Key/South Lido Park  8:30am - 11:30am    24  Little Sarasota Bay/Palmer Pt Pk  8:30am - 11:30am    31  Casperson Beach/Lemon Bay  8:30am - 11:30am   www.littoralsociety.org

Fish has human teeth

http://www.weather.com/video/fish-has-human-teeth-35872

- weather.com

Fireworks fired at Osprey Bird Rookery

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20130409/COLUMNIST/130409623/2416/NEWS?Title=Lyons-Fireworks-fired-at-Osprey-bird-rookery
- Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Nina and Pinta Arrive in Punta Gorda

http://galleries.ticketsarasota.com/?id=361158#/1

- Sarasota Herald Tribune

Spectacular Macro Photos of Starfish and Coral

http://www.b.weather.com/news/science/spectacular-macro-photos-starfish-coral-20130325

- Weather.com

American Littoral Society Events

MONTAUK SPRING WEEKEND

JUNE 7-9, 2013

    

     Always a trip worth taking. Start with an orientation and slide show on Friday night. This is peak orchid and heather blossom time. Activities include: hiking, birding, tide pools, butterflies, rocky cliffs, a visit to Montauk Light and an optional whale watch.

   The Montauk Manor is a perfect place to stay after a long, cold winter with its well-appointed rooms, restaurant, hot tub, and pool. You will enjoy vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and be able to take walks around the grounds. Leaders:Don Riepe and Mickey Cohen

Cost: $385 includes 5 meals, 2 evening programs, a star watch and 2 nights at Montauk Manor. Send deposit of $100 per person to Don Riepe, ALS, 28 W. 9th Rd, Broad Channel, NY 11693 by April 30, 2013.

RHODE ISLAND/BLOCK ISLAND

STRIPED BASS TAGGING WEEKEND

JUNE 8 - 9, 2013

   Join our tagging director for a weekend of striped bass tagging; fishing the rocky coast of Rhode Island and the rips of Block Island. We will be fishing with the American Littoral Society's most prolific and successful tagger, Captain Al Anderson of Narragansett, Rhode Island, aboard his boat, "The Prowler", Sailing from the port of Galilee, RI, right next to the ferry to Block Island. The Prowler is a 42 ft. North Carolina Custom Express twin diesel sportfisherman with a cabin, tower and full electronics.

  

   Captain Al, who has recently been inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame; has been stalking and tagging stripers in Rhode Island Waters for over 40 years and has tagged and released well over 50,000 gamefish during that time.

   The trip is limited to 6 anglers for the weekend, with an all-day fishing trip both Saturday and Sunday. All bait, tackle, and tags will be provided. Bring your surf fishing gear along, as there will be opportunities to experience some of Rhode Island's great shoreline fishing as well.

   On Saturday the party will meet for a late lunch (Dutch treat) at a local seafood restaurant. After lunch we will visit the Point Judith light house, and take a stroll out to Black Rock on Narragansett Bay.

Cost:

$275 - ALS Member

$325 - Non Member

Price includes all costs for 2 fishing trips and tags, as well as a signed copy of Capt. Al's latest book, "Island Stripers". Anglers are responsible for their own lodging and meals. Call Jeff at (732) 291-0055 for more information.

New trip

COLUMBIS RIVER GORGE, MT. ST. HELENS, and the PACIFIC END of the LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL

JULY 18-27, 2013.

     A fascinating gorge described as a "Top ten scenic wonder" plus Mt. St. Helens and Lewis and Clark history, what could be better? We will have a leisurely exploration of some dramatic and varied scenery from the amazing river that separates Washington State from Oregon (and spends a significant part of its length in Canada) to the explosive remnants of St. Helens to the windswept coast. Along the way we will learn about and enjoy the fascinating human and natural history. This is a rather different part of the northwest from the rainy Olympic coastline farther north and you will be surprised by the dryness of the interior versus the rugged marine environment. Mammals, birds, and wild flowers will brighten each day. Leader:  Bob Quinn

Cost: $1985 per person (double occupancy- $385 single supplement) includes lodging, most meals, ground transportation, guides, and all entrance fees. Not included- airfare.. Please send a deposit of $250 per person to Highlands address by April 15, 2013.   This trip begins and ends in Portland, OR.

CAPE ANN WHALE WATCH WEEKEND

AUGUST 15-18, 2013

     Gloucester and the surrounding areas are filled with beautiful shorelines and bays teeming with bird life. On your way up stop off at The Butterfly Place just off Rt. 495 (exit 34). There will be leisurely canoeing on the Ipswich River, a half-day whale watch trip where we hope to also see dolphins and seals, a sunset river cruise along the Essex River, and birding at the Parker River Wildlife Refuge. Leader: Don Riepe

Cost: $385 per person ($120 single supplement) includes lodging, lobster dinner, guides, park and boat fees. Limit: 20. A deposit of $50 by June 15, 2013.

MONHEGAN ISLAND, MAINE

SEPTEMBER 23-27, 2013

     For the naturalist Monhegan is a major site for fall migration, often with hordes of tired land birds hopping about in the open. Such odd spectacles as warblers flitting through the tide wrack or a Black-billed Cuckoo perching on a lobster pot can be common sights.

    On one day we will venture out by boat in search of sea birds such as puffins, shearwaters, gannets, phalaropes, and maybe a whale or two. Monhegan is a gem of the rocky coast of Maine and one of the most enchanting islands on the entire east coast. Its combination of beauty and quiet island life will entrance you and it can be as relaxing or as invigorating as you wish. It creates a sense of serenity, from the calm harbor with beautiful sunsets to the pounding surf against the craggy eastern cliffs, through the beautiful Cathedral Woods with its elfin inhabitants.

     Our inn is quite nice and has a commanding view of the harbor and the ocean. We will do a lot of walking and exploring of the island's varied habitats; some moderately vigorous hiking and early morning bird walks will be optional. There is something special about Monhegan, even by island standards, and this short trip is a perfect chance for you to experience that magic. Leaders: Bob Quinn and Phil Brown

Cost: $1195 (Single supplement $295) includes lodging, ferry, boat trip, guides, and most meals. Group Size: Max 14. . Send a deposit of $150 per person to Highlands address by May 15, 2013.

CALIFORNIA'S NORTH COAST: Redwood National Park, Crater Lake National Park, and the Klamath Basin

OCTOBER 13-22, 2013

     The Redwoods, tallest trees in the world, tower above the mist-shrouded shoreline. Huge Pacific waves crash upon massive sea stacks and coastal headlands while countless flocks of sea birds migrate south. This is the dramatic and isolated northern California coast. Del Norte county is more like the true Pacific Northwest than the rest of California and it has abundant wildlife and scenery, without the crowds. Besides the magnificent Redwoods we hope to see mammals such as California Sea Lions and Roosevelt Elk plus one of the largest concentrations of water birds in all of North America.

     We'll also spend several days in southern Oregon, including a day at the spectacular Crater Lake National Park- with it's almost unbelievably blue volcanic lake. Other sites will include Lava Beds National Monument and the Klamath Basin National Wildlife refuges, all in habitats vastly different from the coast. This is a wonderful time of year to explore an exciting and unique, yet little visited, part of our continent. Leader: Bob Quinn

Cost: $2185 per person (double occupancy- $385 single supplement) includes lodging, most meals, ground transportation, guides, and all entrance fees. Not included- airfare. Send a deposit of $300 per person to Highlands address by June 15, 2013.

ANNUAL MEETING - CAPE MAY, NJ

OCTOBER 24-27, 2013

   Once all details have been finalized this site will contain all the information needed to sign up. We will also be sending out the a form tat can be sent in to our Highlands office in our publication "Littorally Speaking" later in the year. There will be no separate form sent so please check our website for details around the middle of April. There will be limited rooms available. If interested please contact Pat by phone or email.

ASSATEAGUE FALL WEEKEND

NOVEMBER 7-10, 2013

The Assateague Wildlife Refuge is always in season to enjoy!

     The peak fall migration is beginning at one of the best birding spots on the east coast. We're likely to see snow geese, widgeons, teals, ruddy ducks, eagles, Sika deer, the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, wild ponies and if we're lucky, maybe red fox and otters. On Sunday follow us north to Bombay Hook, where at sunset, we'll stop to watch and listen as up to 20,000 snow geese come in to roost. Leader: Don Riepe

Cost: $385 per person (180 single supplement) includes lodging, guides, lectures, and a par excellent seafood buffet on Saturday night. Limit: 20. Send a deposit of $100 per person by August 1.