On Dec. 14, Suncoast Waterkeeper, Suncoast Aqua Ventures, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, the Organized Fishermen of Florida and Sarasota Bay Watch jointly worked to clean up marine debris in the waterways and mangroves in the Manatee River from Blenker Boatworks and Marina in Bradenton and in Terra Ceia Bay from Tropic Isles Marina in Palmetto.
Kayakers, the Suncoast Waterkeeper patrol boat, numerous boat owners and shoreline helpers collected over four dumpsters of rubble at the two locations. Each site hosted over three dozen volunteers who were provided gloves, pickers and garbage bags to collect hurricane debris.
A large part of the debris consisted of destroyed docks and aluminum from lanais and pool cages as well as all manner of items from residential areas that was washed into the mangroves from Hurricane Helene’s storm surge in September and Hurricane Milton’s winds in October. Volunteers ranged in age from 16-80 and included a group of students from the Manatee School of The Arts. I was impressed with the willingness of the students and volunteers to get wet and team up to remove large sheets of aluminum and other detritus from the mud and mangroves.
Hurricanes, sewage spills and all the insults that local waters are exposed to should be a wake-up call to all of us who enjoy recreation on our local waters and understand their importance to the local economy. There are many ways that you can help. Write letters to your local representatives, congressmen and senators to let them know that you’ll consider their votes on water quality and resource protection when you vote. Attend local commission meetings, write opinion pieces and get involved with these nonprofits who work, day in and day out, to protect our marine resources. Check their websites and learn about upcoming events and how you can be a part of protecting what makes the Suncoast so special.
