Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) is one of the area’s most effective organizations at introducing the youth of the area to the amazing resource that is Sarasota Bay.
Over the years, Sarasota Bay Watch’s Youth Leadership Program has introduced some of the area’s brightest youngsters to the importance of protecting the marine environment.
Sarasota Bay Watch has been hosting marine debris and trash cleanups for over 20 years, bringing in thousands of pounds of trash. During that time, the items removed from our bay have included hot tubs, dressers, boat cushions, solvents, anchors and bottles.
According to SBW Executive Director Ronda Ryan, one of the most effective of many events that reach out to area youths is the annual Monofilament Cleanup. This year’s Monofilament Cleanup was held at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron facility in Sarasota and it was laser-focused on collecting the debris that threatens our seabirds, including abandoned fishing line, lures and nets.
Forty-five enthusiastic volunteers, including numerous students, gathered to help with the mission of removing the entangling line from mangroves, bridges, piers and fishing spots. During the event, groups headed off in kayaks, boats and on foot to remove the line that is so treacherous to marine animals and birds.
Two dead birds entangled in fishing line were retrieved, proving that an entangled bird returning to the rookery can inadvertently introduce the entanglement danger to the remainder of the flock. “Every year we find entangled or dead birds at this event, hence one line, two birds,” SBW Director Ronda Ryan said.
Jeff Leichty with Audubon Florida and his crew came from St. Petersburg to support SBW’s effort by providing guidance for site selection. This helped to avoid disturbing nesting birds and provided instruction to volunteers on the proper procedure for safely releasing or apprehending injured birds found entangled.
SBW provided all participants with keychains with QR codes to easily reach local bird rescue groups, animal hospitals and law enforcement agencies. While the group’s focus was fishing line, they also collected trash along the way.
Sarasota Bay Watch works to protect and restore local coastal ecosystems with many hands-on, community-driven events. Support the organization, learn more and view upcoming events at sarasotabaywatch.org. Your support could help produce the next Jacques Cousteau or Jane Goodall!
