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Tag: Anna Maria Island cleanup

Marine debris cleanup successful

Marine debris cleanup successful

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Environment, Outdoors, Reel Time.

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.

Perico, Palma Sola cleanup Saturday

Perico, Palma Sola cleanup Saturday

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

Once again, Anna Maria Island residents who care about our local waters will have a chance to get involved in cleaning them up during the upcoming Suncoast Aqua Ventures water-based cleanup on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 8 a.m. until noon. The focus of the cleanup will be Perico Bayou and Northern Palma Sola Bay. There will be about a dozen kayaks available for volunteers, some of which are tandem. Organizers are encouraging those who own kayaks and shallow draft boats to bring them, so no one is left out who wants to be on the water. The event will launch from the Robinson Preserve kayak launch west of the Palma Sola Causeway on the south side of Manatee Avenue West.

All supplies will be provided, including pickers, bags, gloves, drinks and snacks. All volunteers need to bring are water shoes and refillable water bottles. This area has not been cleaned since before Hurricane Ian, so organizers expect to find a lot of trash tucked into the mangroves.

Please register online at https://suncoastaquaventures.com/event/perico-bayou-northern-palma-sola-bay-water-based-clean-up/ so organizers have sufficient supplies and refreshments for everyone. If you have any questions, please call Cheryl Huntsinger at 941-962-1488.

Suncoast Aqua Ventures was created by a handful of friends in 2016. Inspired by Huntsinger and Troy Brown, a bunch of friends who dive and love the water became concerned with the trash and debris they discovered on the offshore reefs. Instead of complaining, they decided to do something about it. They created a one-of-a-kind competitive event called The Reef & Beach Cleanup and gave cash and prizes in numerous categories to the teams that compete. These events to date have collected over 97,000 pounds of marine debris from our waterways. Volunteers come from all ages and all walks of life. They are water enthusiasts, kayakers, fishermen, scuba divers and anyone who has a passion for the local aquatic ecosystem. Come out and meet some of the many passionate and action-oriented citizens on the Suncoast who turn their love of the water into action.

It’s the work of local non-governmental organizations like Suncoast Aqua Ventures, their leaders and members that inspire people to preserve our paradise and give them a way to participate in protecting it. If you’re looking for a way to contribute, join the cleanup on Aug. 3. See you there.

Get to know Suncoast Aqua Ventures

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

From left, Suncoast Aqua Ventures founders Troy Brown, Cheryl Huntsinger and Robin Woloszyn at a cleanup hosted by the Bradenton Yacht Club. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

Over the years, I’ve had the honor and pleasure of getting to know and work with many passionate and action-oriented citizens on the Suncoast, people who turn their concerns into accomplishments. While Suncoast Aqua Ventures was created by a handful of friends in 2016, in my experience there is, generally, a particular individual that inspires and exemplifies the spirit of the NGO (non-profit). In the case of Suncoast Aqua Ventures, that person is Cheryl Huntsinger. In her own words, she explains what inspires and drives the group.

“Troy Brown, Robin Woloszyn and I, along with a bunch of friends that scuba dive and love the water, became concerned with the human trash and debris we discovered on the offshore reefs and our inland waterways. In response, we created a one-of-a-kind competitive event called The Reef & Beach Cleanup. We give cash and prizes in numerous categories to the teams who compete. This is a fun, family-friendly event that, to date, has collected over 97,000 pounds of marine debris from our waterways. Our volunteers come from all ages and all walks of life. They are water enthusiasts, kayakers, fishermen, scuba divers and anyone who has a passion for our beautiful aquatic ecosystem.

”Post-COVID we started partnering with numerous other like-minded organizations, including Sarasota Bay Watch, Keep Manatee Beautiful, Suncoast Waterkeeper and Suncoast Reef Rovers. We perform targeted tactical cleanups in areas most people don’t even know trash exists – underwater reefs, shoreline cleanups deep in the mangroves and, when there is a need, post-hurricane cleanup events. Our partnership events have collected well over 130,000 pounds from numerous events since 2021.

“We have a busy summer planned, starting with the Second Annual Underwater Cleanup of the Manatee River on May 11. This event will be followed by a cleanup at Bowlees Creek based out of Bahia Mar West Marina on June 15, and a cleanup of Perico Bayou and Palma Sola Bay on Aug. 3. Our last event of the season will be the Eighth Annual Reef & Beach Cleanup on Sept. 28-29 at Seabreeze Park in Terra Ceia.

“We are always looking for new participants and donors to help fund our cleanup efforts! For more information on any of our events, please visit suncoastaquaventures.com or email us at suncoastaquaventures@gmail.com.”

It’s the work of these local NGOs, their leaders and members that inspire people to preserve this paradise and give them a way to participate in protecting it. If you’re looking for an opportunity to give back, join an event and, as Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”