On Thursday, March 5, we lost one of the area’s earliest and most ardent defenders of the marine resources that make our Island home so special.
I first met Captain James “Zach” Zacharias when I began my career writing about fishing in a column called “Backlash” for the Longboat Observer in the 1980s. Captain Zach was a reliable source for my Captain’s Report and he was someone who shared my passion for fishing and protecting the local fishery. That passion led both of us into the ongoing fight to protect water quality and the habitat that safeguards that resource. Everyone who enjoys a day on the water owes Captain Zach a debt of gratitude for his service that inspired me and many other local environmentalists.
I asked several of his friends to share their memories of Captain Zach – testimonials that speak to the remarkable nature of a humble man who loved fishing and the marine environment and worked tirelessly to protect it.
Captain Justin Moore: Zach was one of the humblest fishing guides you’ll ever meet. I remember vividly one time he took me fishing and let me drive his boat from Cortez to Longbar when I was 10 years old. We caught fish for hours. Zach was a kind soul with a gentle voice. He was always willing to have breakfast and coffee and talk about the good old days of fishing.”
Captain Scott Moore: Zach was a special guy. He was a very good captain, good with people and he fished hard. He loved to catch a variety of fish and was a very good cook as well. I spent many hours talking to him about my ancestry in Cape Cod. If I had questions, he could answer them about my family’s hometown. He’s going to be missed. He represented the guiding and fishing community, working hard to protect what we all love about this area.
Merrie Lynn Parker: Captain Zach sat on Manatee County’s first Environmental Land Management and Acquisition Committee (ELMAC) with my husband, Chick Parker, and he was an active member of Manatee Fish & Game Association. Zach was a fantastic fisherman, but more importantly, a strong and passionate advocate for our area’s natural resources, specifically wildlife habitat. He was a true man of the sea and understood the interdependence and fragility of the ecological coastal and upland world we are blessed with in Manatee County. Zach worked diligently on both the Emerson Preserve and the Duette Preserve management plans. Zach was a man of stature and humility.
Angela Collins: Captain Zach was an active member of the Sea Grant advisory committee under John Stevely and me. Zach provided a lot of honest guidance on issues that were important to fisheries. He was also a supporter of the Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage (FISH) and was a reliable member of both organizations.
Captain Scott Greer: Manatee County lost one of its finest. Captain Zach was an excellent guide and put a smile on thousands of customers’ faces over the last 50 years. He was also very involved in conservation and water quality issues. That was back years ago, before most people realized how important water quality was and it wasn’t a very popular issue. We all owe him many thanks for some of the work he was involved in.
Captain Jonnie Walker: Captain Zach was one of the area’s finest guides. I first met him in the early 80s through Judge Lynn Silvertooth and always admired his dedication to the environment. He was always the nicest and most positive guy. He was never in competition with the other guides; he was just one of us. I particularly liked working with him when he took over the fishing report for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune after Steve Gibson’s passing.”
On a more personal level, Zach and I had coffee in the morning at the Cortez Café for several decades and had many lively conversations and shared many laughs. He will truly be missed as a fellow guide and as a true friend.
Captain Zach’s legacy can be honored by all who love the Suncoast by continuing his work to protect the waters that benefit us today and all future fishermen. There will be a celebration of life for Captain Zach in the spring.
