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Save
Our Waterways
The history of Save Our Waterways began in July
of 1999 when the newly established Florida Fish
and Wildlife Commission passed large no-wake zones
covering Estero Bay and Matlacha Sound. The goal
of the restrictions was to promote the survival
of the Manatee; however, the result endangered
human lives by funneling boaters into small areas
in order to maintain speed. Save Our Waterways,
consisting of local Fort Myers attorneys, was
created six months later to stop the implementation
of overbroad restrictions of the waterways of
Florida.
Unfortunately,
what the State and Federal Government propose
is nothing more than an appeasement stemming from
lawsuits filed by the Save the Manatee club. The
decision is not based on scientific research or
empirical evidence. In fact, a recent aerial count
indicated record levels of the Manatee, far greater
in number than the State or Federal Government
believed existed.
Now,
the State of Florida and the Federal Government
have it in mind to create additional "sanctuaries"
and "refugees" throughout Collier, Lee,
and Charlotte counties. All of the proposed restrictions
will drastically limit the use of those areas
by recreational fishermen, shellers, bird watchers,
canoers, kayakers, and swimmers alike.
Save
Our Waterways has filed a suit to protect the
interests of all Floridians, currently the lawyers
are battling out jurisdiction. However, these
types of suits are very expensive to take to trial.
Biologists, geologists, and engineers must be
consulted and brought into court for their expert
testimony. Plainly, the State and Federal Government
will do all that they can, without regard to cost,
to defend this suit. Without your help this suit
will fail; and the use and enjoyment of the environment
we are so proud of will be off limits to us and
everyone else.
The
cases against the state are going to trial this
summer. One of the cases will be tried in Tallahassee
and the other in Ft. Myers. The state's attorney
has said that they will appeal if we win. It appears
that we are in this fight for the long term. However,
if we don't fight, they will take away our rights
to fish and enjoy the waters.
Please
send your contributions to: Save Our Waterways,
c/o David L. Schultz, Schultz, Chaipel & Co.,
12660 World Plaza Lane, Fort Myers, Fl 33907..
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Southwest Florida Redstart
Mission Statement:
Redstart
is a fishery-stocking program made up of biologists,
sport fishermen, and local volunteers, concerned
about the sustainability of our local fishery
in the Charlotte Harbor watershed. It is well
documented that Florida's economically important
game fish, particularly redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus)
have declined in abundance relative to historic
levels. Redstart is a way of enhancing the number
of game fish in the local waters by raising economically
important fish species to a size where they will
have a much higher rate of survival. Genetically
compatible fry will be raised in captivity to
8"-10", tagged and released into the
local waters. Recapture of these fish will provide
scientific data to include range, wild population,
regional growth rates and survivability.
Sanibel-Captiva
Conservation Foundation Foundation's Tarpon Bay
Lab (SCCF-TBL) Site: www.sccf.org
With
council from the Fisheries Stock Enhancement Program
(a partnership between Mote Marine Lab and Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC)),
we propose to develop a grow-out facility at the
SCCF-TBL site on Sanibel Island. Locally caught
redfish brood stock will be delivered to the Crystal
River Mariculture Center or FWCC Port Manatee
site. With photo and water temperature manipulation,
staff can spawn the broad stock to produce fingerlings.
When these fish range in total length between
0.75-1.25 inches, they can be transported to the
Tarpon Bay site. These fish will be grown-out
to a size between 8 – 10 inches in total length
for release into the bay. Larger fish will be
tagged prior to release so that fishermen and
scientists can identify them if they are captured.
These redfish can also be identified using DNA
"fingerprinting" techniques. Recaptured
fish will provide information to determine survival
rates, diet, health, migration, and contribution
to the fishery. By comparing cultured and wild
fish with respect to these factors, the success
of the stock enhancement efforts can be assessed.
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