CORTEZ – As the improvements to the FISH (Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage) Preserve are progressing, a discussion about the environment was fitting at the monthly FISH board meeting.
The 98-acre preserve on Cortez Road is familiar from a ground-level perspective to board members. At their Sept. 11 meeting, however, they saw it from a new perspective – a bird’s eye view.
Rusty Chinnis, board member of the environmental advocacy organization Suncoast Waterkeeper and The Sun’s outdoors columnist treated the FISH board to his Aug. 13 drone video of the preserve, which showcased multiple wetland areas and mangroves. The preserve is one of the only undeveloped waterfront properties on Sarasota Bay.
“What a wonderful job you’ve done with the FISH Preserve,” he said. “It’s fantastic.”
Chinnis was invited to speak to the board about the Manatee County comprehensive plan and land development code changes on mangrove and wetland protections.
“I don’t have to tell you what kinds of problems we’re having with our water these days,” he said. “Right now when we should be doing more and more to protect the water quality, unfortunately Manatee County is doing just the opposite.”
Chinnis referenced the Aug. 17 meeting in which Manatee County commissioners voted to approve a comprehensive plan amendment that would reduce wetland buffers.
“Not one person (at that meeting) got up and spoke in favor of it,” he said. “As soon as public comment was done they voted 6-1 to approve it.”
He noted the FISH board was comprised of fishermen and others familiar with the local waters.
“You see what most people don’t appreciate. You can see that slow, steady decline in the health of the water, with algae and the loss of the fish,” Chinnis said. “We need to get the water quality right.”
He urged the board members to vote for candidates who have a record of protecting the environment.
“Either we get involved or we suffer the consequences,” Chinnis said.
Chinnis’ FISH Preserve Progress video is posted on YouTube at https://youtu.be/qryw1tZ3nwc
In other FISH board business, the theme was announced for the Feb. 18 and 19, 2024 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.
“The theme will be ‘Cortez Commercial Fishing – It’s a Way of Life,’ ” FISH Treasurer Jane von Hahmann said.
Karen Bell, owner of A.P. Bell Fish Co., gave a monthly fishing report.
“It’s been a pretty rough summer,” she said. “The guys aren’t seeing what they normally see. They’re seeing a little more activity following the storm. Shallow water opened up fine Sept. 1.”
