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Guest Commentary: Corps steps down harmful Lake Okeechobee releases
By James Evans - | Dec 28, 2020
In a much-anticipated decision on Dec. 3, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it would begin cutting back freshwater releases to the Caloosahatchee from Lake Okeechobee.
This was not only welcome news for the Caloosahatchee estuary, which has received ecologically damaging flows for the past three months, it is also good news for the coastal communities impacted by the releases.
The Corps’ plan will cut back flows from the lake over a two-week period. Beginning Dec. 5, average flows were reduced from 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) measured at the Moore Haven Lock (S-77) to 3,000 cfs. Beginning Dec. 12, discharges will be further reduced to 2,000 cfs measured at the Franklin Lock (S-79). Once flows drop below 2,1
Guest Comment: Corps steps down harmful Lake O releases
By James Evans - | Dec 28, 2020
In a much-anticipated decision on Dec. 3, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it would begin cutting back freshwater releases to the Caloosahatchee from Lake Okeechobee.
This was not only welcome news for the Caloosahatchee estuary, which has received ecologically damaging flows for the past three months, it is also good news for the coastal communities impacted by the releases.
The Corps’ plan will cut back flows from the lake over a two-week period. Beginning Dec. 5, average flows were reduced from 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) measured at the Moore Haven Lock (S-77) to 3,000 cfs. Beginning Dec. 12, discharges will be further reduced to 2,000 cfs measured at the Franklin Lock (S-79). Once flows drop below 2,100 cfs, they are considered to be in “optimal range” according to ecological targets established for the estuary.
Coastal Watch launches new mangrove initiative
By COASTAL WATCH - | Dec 23, 2020
PHOTO PROVIDED
Coastal Watch recently announced a new initiative, “Back to Our Roots.”
Coastal Watch reported that mangroves are a vital source of energy, provide nursery habitats for juvenile fish, nesting habitat for wading birds, stabilize shorelines by reducing erosion and are a buffer against storm damage. Many people are familiar with these iconic trees, but few may understand how tightly linked they are to the marine ecosystem in Southwest Florida.
This year, Coastal Watch is embarking on a new initiative to teach the value of mangroves on the islands through community involvement. Through the educational initiative, “Back to Our Roots,” it is inviting residents to “adopt” their own mangrove to nurture so it can be planted at a mangrove restoration site on Sanibel or Captiva.
Sanibel Sea School to offer private boating sessions
By SANIBEL SEA SCHOOL - | Dec 23, 2020
PHOTO PROVIDED
Explore the waters around Sanibel with the Sanibel Sea School s boat-based private sessions.
Starting in January, the Sanibel Sea School will begin offering family boat-based private sessions.
Join the organization’s marine science educators and captains to learn about and explore the areas of Sanibel’s surrounding waters. Sessions can be fully customized for the group’s ages and interests.
Educators can discuss barrier island ecology, or even topics such as mangrove forests, seagrass, estuaries and more. Dolphins, manatees, live shells and bird species are frequently encountered on the water and the educators will share their knowledge of the area and the creatures that inhabit it.
Red tide patches move along Southwest Florida coast
Fort Myers News-Press
Sporadic reports of fish kills and respiratory irritation point to patches of red tide off the coast of Southwest Florida, aligning with data researchers have collected this week.
Dead fish spotted were at Bonita Beach Friday morning and high counts of red tide, caused by the organism Karenia brevis, were reported along Sanibel earlier this week.
“It hasn’t looked good for most of the week,” said Rick Bartleson, research scientist with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. “It started out pretty bad on Monday with about 20 million cells per liter, a significant jump from last week so I started increasing sampling.”