OUTDOORS

18 THE SUN OUTDOORS OCTOBER 6, 2021

Join the CLAMpaign For Clean Water

Reel Time

RUSTY CHINNIS

Readers of this column appreciate the importance of clean water. From the glass we put to our lips and extending to the waters that surround the islands, water is literally and figuratively life!

When I got the news from Sarasota Bay Watch Program Director Ronda Ryan that they were kicking off a new phase of their clam restoration project, I was eager to learn more. When I heard that my friend and fellow advocate Nanette O'Hara had coined the term "CLAMpaign," I was assured of the success of the program and eager to help. The current CLAMpaign is working to raise $100,000 to purchase and release 1 million clams into Sarasota Bay.

A reason SBW chose clams was their resilience to red tide, their long life span and their water filtering capabilities. Sarasota Bay Watch plans to extend its impact with the filter feeders to the north and the south of Sarasota Bay. Experimental test sites are being utilized to determine new release sites. Scientist recommendations and historical local maps of shellfish presence are assisting in the site locations. The release sites have also supported ongoing research into marine species activity and predation. Local students have utilized the project for additional studies and research. Community involvement raises water quality awareness and reinforces personal responsibility to take care of our water. Sarasota Bay Watch is community-supported and volunteer-fueled.

With the extraordinary decrease in seagrass, SBW feels it is important to act now to improve the water and benthic condition of the bay to aid in seagrass recruitment. Clams filter water and help to remove excess nitrogen, the major cause of harmful algae blooms like red tide.

Sarasota Bay Watch is an organization built upon action. They are taking action now before the situation gets any worse. Throughout the COVID-19 epidemic, SBW had to cancel many activities but was able to get clams into the water to improve the quality and health of the bay 24/7.

Sarasota Bay Watch is currently awaiting approval for a local lease to grow the clams for their projects, which will make the cost of restoration cheaper while reducing stress on the shellfish. The goal is for the clams to start spawning, increasing their numbers and repopulating a depleted bay.

“These are native clams that use to be abundant here. There are many stories of people clamming for their dinner. Our clams are not being restored for commercial purposes,” said Ryan.

CLAMpaign for Clean Water aims to improve the health and resilience of our water. A healthy bay will support abundant fish populations and the economy of a community that depends upon its water. The monetary benefits of protecting and supporting Sarasota Bay are immeasurable.

To join SBW in their CLAMpaign for Clean Water, go to www.sarasotabaywatch.org. Ryan can be reached at 941232-2363. Volunteers prepare to plant clams during a 2020 release.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Hot end-of-summer action in Sarasota Bay

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Anglers fishing with me out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key had some action catching and releasing trout, jacks, blues and Spanish mackerel in Sarasota Bay with flies and DOA Lures on several trips recently.

Spin fishing anglers scored on trout and jacks on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos. Fly anglers Pat Beckwith, of Sarasota, and Lyle Beckwith, of Alexandria, Virginia, caught and released trout to 24” and blues and Spanish mackerel in the 4- to 5-pound class on Clouser flies fished on sink tip fly lines. On the reel and into backing fast!

Look for reds in shallow water. Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay is a good choice for action with a variety of species including trout, jacks, blues and more. Since heat is still an issue, fishing dock lights for snook and juvenile tarpon before dawn is also a good option.

Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by industrial, agricultural and residential runoff, toxic spills, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation; please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit.

CAPT. RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED Pat and Lyle Beckwith, of Alexandria, Virginia, had great action catching and releasing blues, Spanish mackerel and trout on flies while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett recently.

Water quality report City leaders appoint water quality committee members

Water quality at area beaches based on monitoring of enterococcus bacteria levels, which can pose an increased risk of infectious disease:

Bayfront Park North Bradenton Beach Coquina Beach North Coquina Beach South Manatee Beach North Palma Sola Bay South

Source: Florida Department of Heath Good Good Good Good Good Good

HOLMES BEACH – The first members have been added to the city’s new water quality committee by a unanimous vote of city commissioners.

Commissioners agreed to appoint everyone who had applied for the Holmes Beach Water Quality Committee by their Sept. 28 meeting. The new appointees include Ron Huibers, of Holmes Beach, Bob Carter, of Anna Maria, Jeffrey Drinkard, of Holmes Beach, Nancy Flynn, of Holmes Beach, Scott Ricci, of Holmes Beach and Jim McDaniel, director of development at The Center of Anna Maria Island.

The committee members are charged with researching ways to improve the condition and purity of waters surrounding Anna Maria Island, look at the existing environmental codes and ordinances from all three Island cities, research what other beach cities are doing to address water quality issues and work with local organizations to potentially assist in research. They also will look into grant possibilities and coordinate with leaders from the three Island cities and Manatee County.

Committee members will be tasked with determining their own meeting schedules and frequency.

Bishop takes in manatee struck in Anna Maria Sound

A manatee rescued from Anna Maria Sound in January after being injured by a boat strike and suffering from cold stress has a new temporary home at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s rehabilitation facility in Bradenton.

Nicknamed Aria, the young manatee received initial treatment at ZooTampa at Lowry Park in Tampa.

Estimated to be about 1½ years old, Aria will join Janus and Iclyn, the manatees already being cared for in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat. Aria weighed just 220 pounds when she was rescued in January. When she arrived at The Bishop on Tuesday, she was just over 6 feet long and about 340 pounds.

“It’s likely that Aria was struck by a boat and subsequently orphaned,” said Virginia Edmonds, Director of Animal Care at the Museum. “And, since she was injured in January and may not have known where to find a warm-water refuge without her mother’s guidance, she also suffered from cold stress. We’re glad we’re here to help care for this young manatee and get her ready to return to the wild.”

The Bishop has been rehabilitating manatees since 1998 and was a founding member of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) in 2001. As one of only three Stage 2 rehabilitation facilities in Florida, The Bishop cares for recovering manatees, freeing muchneeded emergency space so that seriously ill and injured animals can be treated in critical-care units elsewhere. Spending time in the Museum’s Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat allows manatees time to finish the recovery process, grow and prepare for their return to the wild.

It’s a service that is needed now more than ever, said Museum CEO Hillary Spencer.

“This year has been especially tough for manatees throughout Florida,” she said. “More manatees have died in 2021 than in any other year in the state’s history — making rescue and rehabilitation programs like ours more important than ever.”

To support the program, The Bishop is unveiling a new monthly support program for manatees: Bishop Foster Friends.

“You really will become manatees’ BFF when you become a Bishop Foster Friend and make a monthly donation that directly supports things like food and the specialized care and habitat that manatees need so we can help them successfully return to the wild,” Spencer said. “We’re also honored to share that donations made through Bishop Foster Friends will be matched by Florida Power & Light Company’s charitable arm, the NextEra Energy Foundation.”

Manatees seek out warm water outflows such as those at power plants during the winter months.

“FPL is committed to conserving Florida’s unique ecosystems and native wildlife,” said Kate MacGregor, FPL vice president of environmental services. “We’ve worked closely with regulatory agencies and environmental organizations for more than 30 years to ensure that manatees are protected. That is why we are pleased to support The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s efforts to raise funds to increase their capacity for manatee rehabilitation during this critical time.”

FPL will match up to $20,000 of donations made to Bishop Foster Friends. Monthly donations will provide guaranteed support for manatee care and will ensure that the Museum can meet the needs of one of Florida’s most beloved - and threatened - species.

Bishop Foster Friends receive special benefits, including a quarterly newsletter focused on the rehabilitating manatees, exclusive programs and unique merchandise. More information is available at www.BishopScience.org/BFF.

BISHOP MUSEUM | SUBMITTED Aria was likely orphaned after being struck by a boat, and was picked up in Anna Maria Sound suffering from cold stress.

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) advises motorists that Gulf Drive (SR 789) from Avenue C to Ninth Street in Bradenton Beach is undergoing construction.

Crews will be replacing the east sidewalk with permeable pavers to improve drainage, provide natural water absorption and relieve pressure on the current island drainage network. Expect lane closures and noise from construction equipment throughout the project. Variable message signs and flagging operations will guide motorists through the construction zone. The project contractor is AF USA Construction Corp. The project is expected to be completed by late 2021.

On Cortez Road (SR 684) at 119th Street West in Cortez, crews are installing landscaping on the west corner of the intersection. Occasional shoulder and lane closures may be required. The project is estimated to be completed this month. The contractor is Superior Lawn and Landscaping.