18
THE SUN
OUTDOORS
JANUARY 12, 2022
Suncoast Waterkeeper, guardian of the bay Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS
A
s readers are no doubt aware, I love to write about all things fishing, including the need to actively work to protect the resources that support this special area. That’s why I work with and write about Suncoast Waterkeeper, the organization that I believe is the driving force in protecting water quality in Sarasota Bay and Anna Maria Sound. The organization has experienced significant growth recently and is now seeking an executive director. A member
of the International Waterkeeper Alliance, the group was formed in 2012 by attorney Justin Bloom. A graduate of New College in Sarasota, Bloom worked in New York City as Waterkeeper Alliance’s Eastern regional director before moving back to Sarasota and founding Suncoast Waterkeeper. The mission of Suncoast Waterkeeper is to protect and restore the Florida Suncoast’s waterways through enforcement, field work, advocacy and environmental education for the benefit of the communities that rely upon these precious coastal resources. The group’s stated priority is to work with local municipalities to ensure that appropriate laws are being followed, and to take corrective action when they are not.
RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN
Suncoast Waterkeeper's work helps ensure that quality trout swim local waters. Eben Schaefer took this fish on fly in Palma Sola Bay. Their work is supported by science, statutes and environmental ethics. This is a terrific opportunity to lead an organization with a committed board that has a proven track record of suc-
cess and has seen exponential growth over the past few years. While the organization’s focus is on the coastal waterways of Sarasota and Manatee counties, it has negotiated major settlements with Sarasota
County, St. Petersburg and Largo. These settlements have led to millions of dollars of investment in upgrading outdated wastewater treatment facilities that have and will have a major impact on preventing nutrient loading to Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay. The organization is highly respected in the community as a leader in protecting the resources that are the economic engine of the region. Suncoast Waterkeeper is located in an area that is rich in philanthropy, at the center of three National Estuaries, and is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. This position provides direct access to some of the area’s most influential decision-makers. SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 19
