It will come as no surprise to anyone who reads this fishing column, even occasionally, that about 50% of the time here is spent discussing threats to the sport, the waters and the environment that brought us to the shores of Sarasota Bay and Anna Maria Sound in the first place.
To anyone who has been living in the area for more than a decade or two, and who values this incredible resource, this advocacy is critical.
We’ve discussed the terms “new normal” and “shifting baseline” before, but for those who are new to the area defining the term is important. A Google search defines “shifting baseline” as “a phenomenon where each generation inherits a progressively degraded environment but views it as the ‘normal’ state because they lack personal experience with past, healthier ecosystems.”
As mentioned, this concept is incredibly relevant to anyone who has spent more than a couple of decades fishing the waters of Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria Sound, the Gulf and Tampa Bay.
Having been scouting area waters since the early 80s, I thought I understood this idea, which was discussed in Jack Davis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea,” which I covered in a previous column.
Fortunately, we have some enlightened citizens, organizations and leaders who understand the importance of these natural resources to our sense of awe and wonder, but also to the economy that supports so many of our businesses and lives.
That’s why this article is titled “Profiles in Conservation” and it serves as an introduction to the people and organizations that protect what we cherish. Hopefully, this will shine a light on their good deeds and inspire and prepare a new generation of advocates to work for the things that matter most.
I have a number of ideas about who to profile in future columns, but I would welcome suggestions from readers. If you have someone you would like to see profiled in Reel Time, send your suggestions to rustychinnis1@gmail.com.
