Anglers know the value of the mangrove forests to provide habitat, food and protection for the snook, redfish, sheepshead and other species they pursue. For those who don’t fish but enjoy eating fish, it’s important to realize that over 80% of the most popular species like grouper depend on mangroves as juveniles
People come to the west coast of Florida to live because of the area’s unique environment. The natural world that forms the basis of that environment is often poorly understood and misrepresented. Case in point, mangroves. Recently a property on a canal on Longboat Key that was lined with a 35-foot stand of mangroves was listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) with the line, “mangroves will be removed.”
A statement like this might signal to someone coming to the west coast of Florida for the first time that mangroves are not desirable, and are in effect a liability. They’re not understanding that mangroves help create what brought them here in the first place, and subsequently are protected by state law. This is a perfect case for helping homeowners understand and communicating to them how the environment (mangroves in this case) is an asset. When trimmed by a reputable mangrove company:
• The laws protecting mangroves are followed while the view is enhanced;
• The shoreline is protected from erosion;
• The maintenance cost is minimized;
• “Eye appeal” is created, enhancing the value of the property; and
• The cost of seawall construction (when allowed) and subsequent maintenance is avoided.
Mangroves that are windowed and trimmed to provide a view can function to protect the property from storms while enhancing the overall ambience of the property.
When laws protecting mangroves are violated, Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection must enforce these laws. Unfortunately, state regulators are not performing their duty promptly to protect the citizens and businesses of Florida, present and future. But it wouldn’t be fair to lay the blame only on the FDEP. People I have spoken with who deal with state regulators regularly fault prior Gov. Rick Scott for eviscerating the FDEP and spawning a mass exodus of the brightest and most committed regulators. The people I spoke to at the agency have been responsive to questions and concerns and ultimately addressed the issue when they were alerted. My feeling is the agency is struggling with a limited budget and staff, especially considering the rapid development taking place in coastal areas.
That’s where we the voters come in. It’s incumbent on the citizens of Florida and Manatee County to elect officials with a proven record of protecting our most important and vulnerable resources.
You can report mangrove trimming violations at the Suncoast Waterkeeper site using their new Eyes on the Suncoast initiative. If you’re a boater, request one of their stickers that has a QR code to take you to a form where you can make a report. If we don’t do it, who will?
