News
Eric Burnett is the quintessential Florida sportfisherman. Fishes for lots of species, salt and fresh. Appreciates world-class fisheries. And top-quality tackle. Fly fishes with professional guides. Worries about their future and about the next generation’s chances to fish these waters.…
For the last month, the Caloosahatchee estuary hasn’t gotten the freshwater it needs to survive. This week salinity levels at Ft. Myers climbed high enough to kill tape grass, the lifeline for virtually everything in this environment. The cause is…
Florida is home to the most biodiverse marine environment in North America. It’s not the Everglades. Or Florida Bay. Or the Gulf Coast. More species live in the St. Lucie and Indian River Lagoon than in any other waterway on the continent.…
Dr. Grant Gilmore of the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council identified hundred of species within a few miles of the St. Lucie estuary, making it North America’s most biodiverse. Threatening any estuary with toxic discharges is tragically flawed water management.…
by Allie Preston Leaders generally don’t answer a crisis with, “Let us do nothing.” A week after the Economic Council of Martin County sponsored a robot telemarketing blitz urging residents to do nothing to support legislation to cut toxic discharges,…
On Wednesday, during the height of tourist season, a large algae bloom appeared off Islamorada, lapping the docks at Worldwide Sportsman. Worldwide is part of Bass Pro Shops, the largest retail fishing company in the world; thousands of visitors are…
By Peter Girard Florida’s water management system is broken. Water management districts are political and dysfunctional. Private interests routinely hoard freshwater, pass flood risks to residential communities, and dump pollution into public waterways. Led by the biggest and most powerful…
Hundreds of captains and guides are headed to Tallahassee on April 11th to tell their stories to lawmakers. You should, too. Now Or Neverglades Sportfishing Day will unite people who depend on healthy fisheries for their livelihoods–fishermen, boat builders, outfitters… but…
In a fight as bitter as Florida’s struggle for clean water, virtually no one can manage to face the opposition with civility and a constructive outlook, much less a smile. If you haven’t met Maggy Hurchalla, you should–even if she’s…
Political cartoonists know they’re on the mark when their targets blow up. Herblock drove Nixon crazy. Thomas Nast did the same to Boss Tweed. Garry Trudeau enraged tobacco companies. Here in Florida, Andy Marlette infuriates Big Sugar. His work is…