The Club's Key Issues and Environmental Projects

Killing Tarpon for Fun
When it comes to spearfishing for tarpon, there’s no such thing as “catch and release”—and it could impact the Gulf of Mexico’s tarpon fishery. Read more about this troubling practice at Tarbone.org...

We can really help the cause by getting as many members as possible (and anyone else) to sign BTU's electronic petition (Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimited), available by clicking here: www.tarbone.org/tarpon.cfm

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MCFF Seagrass Monitoring Project
February, 2007:
Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers and Sarasota Audubon
Join Forces to Monitor Seagrass

Braving 75-degree weather, members of the Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers and the Sarasota Audubon Society met on a Saturday afternoon for training on this winter’s seagrass monitoring project—the clubs’ first joint environmental project.

Bob Parker, Joe Bursel, Bill and Karen Hopper, Dick Phinney, Mike McAdaragh, and several more MCFFers joined a half dozen members of Sarasota Audubon (including its vice president, Rick Greenspun) at Ken Thompson Park on City Island. Under the shade of a covered picnic area, Amanda Dominguez, Sarasota County’s leader on the project, taught us how to identify our three native seagrasses and showed us the ins and outs of field monitoring.

I’m always somewhat surprised—and gratified—at how quickly volunteers become interested in something as obscure to non-fishermen as seagrass. Rick said it best:“Seagrasses are like the canary in the coal mine. They’re a barometer for what’s going on in our bays.”

Two weeks later, Rick and I paddled a canoe around the Neville Preserve on a windy morning. In two and a half hours we saw lots of healthy seagrass (albeit just one species, shoal grass), plenty of algal gunk, basins of drift algae, and two juvenile bald eagles. With foot- high chop, tailing reds were out of the question. But it was a great morning to be outside.

Thanks to all of you who are volunteering this year—and to those who have volunteered in the past. We’re doing good work, and we’re doing it in our own back yard.
Joe Polidoro

For more information on this ongoing Club project, and to sign up for the August Seagrass project, please contact Joe Polidoro at joe.polidoro@comcast.net or 941-925-0464.

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Our first local environmental project in February, 2007, got off to an excellent start. Please read the note below from Jon Perry, Environmental Specialist III of Sarasota County Environmental Services, on the results to date. If you missed this opportunity stay tuned as we'll be participating again in the August survey. Read below about the survey done earlier this year.

Visit this web site for more details: http://www.sarasota.wateratlas.usf.edu/

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Seagrass Monitoring Partnership A Huge Success
A note from Jon Perry

Hi Everyone
Sorry to not get back to you sooner. Here is an update of the effort as I see it so far. Within the bays of Sarasota County, 465 points were visited by you and county staff, beating last year’s survey of 135, a 300% increase.

A preliminary map is posted on the water atlas website at... http://www.sarasota.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/170_seagrass%202007.pdf.
This denotes the points that were surveyed and data entered as of March 15, 2007. If you do not see your area on the map, there is still more data to be entered. Also, if you hadn't reported your results to either Joe Polidoro or myself, please let me know and we'll make arrangements to pick them up. Thanks for all the great work. I'll be contacting everyone individually regarding any questions during the data entry.

Last week at a meeting of the Southwest Florida Seagrass Working Group, an update of this project was presented. The Southwest Florida Water Management District, the group responsible for making the seagrass maps, is excited that we are able to get this kind of response and look forward to next February's survey data for their mapping effort. Also, this work may be used for a study of the drift algae in the bays being put together by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.

The county is excited not only by the turnout but the perspective that is being brought out by the data you generated. There are exciting times ahead for this program and August is just around the corner. Which brings us to the critical part of this program. When I say critical, I mean what can we do to make this better as well as its importance.

The County is looking towards SWFWMD for funding some equipment for this and other efforts coming up. Also, Manatee County is looking into a similar effort to start talking about their drift algae question. But what do you think? Your the ones in the field. What can we do to hep you out and attract more interest. Any and all comments will be greatly appreciated.

Well that’s it so far, more information will be posted once we get the data’ entered. I look forward to your comments and again, if there is
more data out there let me know.

Thanks again for the wonderful job,
Jon Perry
Environmental Specialist III
Sarasota County Environmental Services
2817 Cattlemen Road
Sarasota, FL 34232
(941) 861-6218 (Phone)
(941) 861-6270 (Fax)

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For those of you who could not make the training session, here are the instructions to participate in future surveys...

Getting Your Materials
If you couldn’t make it, everything is available online at
http://www.sarasota.wateratlas.usf.edu/news/committees.asp?GROUPID=67&ACTIVE=1

Once you’re there, here’s what to do:
1) In the Projects & Documents box, click View All (in the center of your screen).

2) Download and print out the following educational stuff (you may have to toggle between Page One and Page Two)

-- Overview of the Volunteer Seagrass Monitoring Program. This presentation sums up what we went over in class.

-- Seagrass Field Guide. This shows you exactly what we’re looking for.

-- (optional) Interactive Map Link and Links to Seagrass Information (not necessary but interesting)

3) Get a map of the area you want to monitor:

-- Find the map, download it, and print it. A color print will work better.
-- You may see a name on or next to your area—these were filled out at the training session. If you do, please contact that club member yourself (email if you need contact info) and work out an arrangement. With the exception of waders, all of us are flexible in terms of where we’ll go. There’s lots of water out there, much of it unclaimed, so think about going where no one else is.

4) Print out your Volunteer Seagrass Logsheet. You’ll record your findings on this logsheet AND your map.

5) At some point, make sure you download and print the Liability Form and Volunteer application.

-- If someone’s accompanying you, print out forms for them too.

-- Please complete the forms and mail them to: Jon Perry, Environmental Specialist III, Sarasota County Environmental Services, 2817 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, FL 34232

-- Why? The County gets grants for projects like this if it can show participation—and these two forms are the required proof. So PLEASE do it.

Instructions on Monitoring

Between the presentation, the field guide, and the logsheet, it’s pretty self explanatory. Here are some key points:

1) Bring your map, field guide, and logsheet with you on the water.

2) Monitor all the colored areas—everything from orange to green and in between on the map legend.

3) For each position, mark down what the logsheet asks for, including the time (which it doesn’t ask for).
-- Regardless whether you have a GPS, mark each position on your map and give it the same number as what’s on your logsheet.
-- If you don’t have a GPS, just identify your position on the map as best you can with the position number. If possible, record something like “20 feet from ICW marker number 32”

-- At every position, describe what’s around you in a circle of about 100 yards diameter or so. Don’t just record what’s underneath your feet or boat.

-- Remember: We’re not just looking for seagrass but also the absence of seagrass. If you see oyster beds, mark those too—extremely important to the County.

-- Include as much info as you can in the comments box—for example, whether you see fish (and what species), prop scars, lots of boat wakes (a high-energy area), whether drift algae is masking the seagrass beds. The more info the better.

You can file your completed logsheets (with maps!) a couple of ways, whichever is easiest:
-- mail them to Jon Perry at the address above
-- mail them to me
-- give them to me at the Feb or March MCFF board meeting or the Feb regular meeting on 2/27
-- if you’re really savvy, create pdfs of them and email to me.

-- WHATEVER you do, please make copies in case your stuff gets lost… we don’t want to lose your hard work.

We have through March 2nd to complete our survey. So get out there, find some new fishing spots, have a great time doing this, and please call or email me with any questions.

I’ll be checking in about once a week to see how it’s going.
Thanks again, folks.
Joe Polidoro

If you’d like to participate, please call or email Joe Polidoro at 941-925-0464 or at joe.polidoro@comcast.net

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Bristol Bay Alaska Mining Threat
“Our organization must be engaged” says FFF President
by Leah Elwell, FFF Conservation Coordinator

During the 2006 Conclave, FFF members from across the country learned about the threats facing some of the world’s most famed salmon and trout waterways. The Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska hosted an information booth at the Conclave and the Renewable Resources Coalition gave several presentations to spread the word regarding the proposed Pebble Mine, to be located in Southwest Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed.

A Canadian company called Northern Dynasty is proposing to build North America’s largest open-pit gold and copper mine between Lake Iliamna and the Mulchatna River. The permitting process began in early July, as Northern Dynasty applied for water rights from Upper Talarik Creek and the North and South Forks of the Koktuli River.

In its water right applications the mining company laid claim to more than 73 million gallons per day, nearly three times the amount of water used by the Anchorage, Alaska (population 270,000). These waterways are critical Bristol Bay salmon and trout producers that could be gravely threatened by these proposed actions.

At the Conclave’s auction dinner, FFF President & CEO R.P. VanGytenbeek spoke to the audience in no uncertain terms of the threat and the opportunity for engagement. VanGytenbeek stated that the FFF must work to stop this mine, which is only the beginning of what the mining industry believes could turn the entire Bristol Bay region into a massive mining district.

In response to the application for water rights, VanGytenbeek stated: “Upper Talarik Creek is a national treasure for us and for trout fishermen from all over the world. Each year fishermen from Europe, South America and Asia make the trip to Alaska just for an opportunity to fish Upper Talarik and the rest of the famous Bristol Bay watershed. Any person or company that takes an action which would diminish the fishery commits a crime against each of us and against the people and natural resources of Alaska. This is yet another piece of a totally un-needed and unacceptable project which must be defeated.”

FFF members and clubs can learn more about this issue by visiting www.sportsmansalliance4ak.org and www.renewableresourcescoalition.org.
A free 4-minute DVD on the subject is available for viewing at club meetings.

Scott Hed
Outreach Director
Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska
scott@alaskacoalition.org

Scott Brennan
Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer
Renewable Resources Coalition
scott@renewableresourcescoalition.org

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U.S Fisheries and Seafood are in Trouble - Email Your Senators
Our oceans are in trouble and we need your help to save them. Across the country, fisheries have been forced to close and important species like cod, tuna and swordfish are in decline.

The Senate is working on the core bill that governs U.S. fisheries. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (MSA), can help restore and protect fish populations. It's been over a decade since Congress took up this bill, and crucial advances in fisheries management are needed that will help fish, fisherman, coastal communities and U.S. seafood consumers.

The health of our oceans and fishing industry depends on this legislation. Tell your senators to support the MSA and to call for a full Senate vote today.

What's At Stake:
Our oceans are in serious decline and need our help now. Fishery scientists can say for certain that only one-quarter of our nation's fish stocks are in good shape - but with the right tools we can reverse this decline.

A Step Forward for Fish and Fishermen
The Senate is now considering the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (MSA) – the central bill that governs U.S. fisheries and addresses several important advances in fisheries management that will help fish, fishermen, coastal communities and U.S. seafood consumers that rely on these resources. These provisions will reach fishermen and fisheries from coast to coast.

Key Reforms in the MSA
The bill will establish science-based catch limits and authorize catch share programs. Catch limits will set a maximum number of fish that are allowed to be caught within a certain timeframe – allowing depleted populations to rebuild. Catch share programs will cut costs for fishermen, improve the quality of their fish and prevent the waste of millions of fish each year that must be discarded.

Take action!
U.S. fisheries are in trouble and we cannot afford to wait any longer. Email your senators asking them to move forward and help save the health of our oceans. To take action, click on the button below to visit the Environmental Defense site today...

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Take the Mangrove Initiative
Want to help with conservation but don’t how to go about it? Ever thought of getting involved in fish habitat restoration but have yet to take action?

Now there’s a great opportunity to make a real difference to our local fishery—and see the results. It’s called the Mangrove Initiative—a project sponsored by the Federation of Fly Fishers to help restore, conserve, and educate the public on mangrove ecosystems.

The Mangrove Initiative is currently working with the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge recover from Hurricane Charlie, which destroyed or imperiled huge tracts of fishery habitat. Past MCFF President Pete Greenan, local project director of the Mangrove Initiative, says, “Right now we’re removing mangroves that have fallen into waterways and are endangering the habitat. We’re removing exotic species. And we’re replanting mangoves.”

An ongoing program whose work will continue into the next few years, the Mangrove Initiative works directly with National Wildlife Refuges around the state that need its help. Long-term, the Initiative will expand its efforts beyond the Refuges.

Volunteers from local fly fishing clubs—including MCFF members —are the heart of the Mangrove Initiative, providing nearly all of its man- (and woman-) power.

What can you do? Anything from directing traffic to educating youngsters to getting in the water and cutting dead mangroves. There’s a role for everyone who wants to help.

There are several opportunities to get involved throughout this year. Please consider joining us for a couple of fun work days and lend a hand to help preserve mangrove habitats important for fish and wildlife.

If you can help in any way, please contact our Past President, Capt. Pete Greenan, who is coordinating our efforts. Let Pete know if you can participate and whether you have a boat. You can contact Pete by email at captpete@floridaflyfishing.com or by telephone at 941-923-6095.

Do it today. And tell a friend. We’ve all enjoyed great times on the water that our habitat has given us. Now it needs our help. Take the initiative… and get involved.