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Florida loses record number of manatees in 2021

Florida loses record number of manatees in 2021

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Environment, Featured, Manatees, Outdoors.

More than 1,100 manatees died in 2021, a record high since the turn of the century, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Brevard County on Florida’s east coast had the highest mortality toll, with 359 manatee deaths in the Indian River Lagoon system, where manatees starved because harmful algae blooms destroyed their primary food supply – seagrass, according to wildlife officials.

Manatee deaths in Florida this century

2000    272

2001    325

2002    305

2003    380

2004    276

2005    396

2006    417

2007    317

2008    337

2009    429

2010    766

2011    453

2012    392

2013    830

2014    371

2015    405

2016    520

2017    538

2018    824

2019    607

2020    637

2021    1,101

Total   10,898

 

Source: FWC

Algae blooms may also have caused some of the 28 manatee deaths in Manatee County, which includes Anna Maria Island. A red tide lasted for nearly eight months last year in Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico around the Island, exacerbated by nitrogen and phosphorus-laden wastewater dumped into the bay in March and April at the closed Piney Point fertilizer plant.

Statewide, last year’s manatee deaths nearly doubled the five-year average of 625 annual deaths. The FWC confirms that 2021 manatee mortalities meet the criteria for an “Unusual Mortality Event,” which has led to agency rescue efforts, including hand-feeding starving manatees.

“We take this situation seriously and are committed to working with our partners including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to explore short-term solutions to the die-off, as well as much-needed long-term solutions to restoring the lagoon ecosystem,” FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said in a press release.

The last manatee population survey, conducted by the FWC in 2019, counted 5,733 manatees in state waters.

Manatee population surveys

 

2021 not conducted due to COVID

2020 not conducted due to weather

2019 – 5,733

2018 – 6,131

2017 – 6,620

2016 – 6,250

2015 – 6,063

 

Source: FWC

An alternate method, the abundance survey method, employs mathematical and statistical formulas to extrapolate an estimated number of manatees based on those actually counted, and estimated at least 7,500 manatees in state waters three years earlier, in 2015-16.

Those numbers were cited in 2017 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to remove manatees from the federal “endangered” species list and downlist the species to “threatened.” Manatees had been protected as “endangered” since 1967 under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The downlisting came after the Pacific Legal Foundation, on behalf of Save Crystal River Inc., a recreational boating group, petitioned the USFWS, saying the safety measures addressing the manatee’s endangered level of protection were bad for tourism and boating businesses.

In light of record-high 2021 mortalities, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Manatee) has called on the USFWS to revisit its decision and restore the manatee from “threatened” to “endangered” status, joined by former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham, co-founder in 1981 with singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett of the Save the Manatee Club.

To help protect the state’s official marine mammal, follow these tips:

  • Obey posted signs for manatee slow-speed zones.
  • Wear polarized sunglasses to see manatees in your path.
  • Keep a lookout for the circular “footprints” or ripples they leave on the surface of the water.
  • If you observe a manatee mating herd – several manatees gathering as males vie to mate with a female – watch from at least 100 feet away. Coming any closer might disrupt the mating or endanger you; adult manatees typically weigh more than 1,000 pounds.
  • Never feed or water manatees as they will become habituated to people, which could put them at risk of injury.
  • Stow trash and line when underway. Marine debris that blows overboard can become ingested by or entangled around manatees.

Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922), dial #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone or text Tip@MyFWC.com if:

  • you see a manatee with a pink or red (fresh) wound.
  • the manatee is tilting to one side, unable to submerge or seems to have trouble breathing.
  • you see a manatee calf by itself with no adults around for an extended period of time.
  • you see anyone harassing a manatee in any way.
  • you see boaters speeding in a protected area.
  • you see a manatee entangled in monofilament, crab-trap lines or other debris.
  • you see a dead manatee.

To support the FWC’s manatee research, rescue and management efforts, purchase a Florida manatee license plate or donate $5 to receive a collectible FWC manatee decal at a local Tax Collector’s office.

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Sing along with the Christmas Bird Count

Sing along with the Christmas Bird Count

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Birds, Outdoors.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On the eighth day of Christmas, the Audubon Society counted 12 palm warblers, 11 (plus eight) northern mockingbirds, 10 red-bellied woodpeckers, nine blue-gray gnatcatchers, eight common loons, seven house finches, six snowy egrets, five white ibis, four (plus two) house sparrows, three American white pelicans, two wood storks and a lesser black-backed gull.

The birds were tallied on a warm Jan. 2 by volunteers with the Manatee County Audubon Society during the annual Fort De Soto Christmas Bird Count, which includes birds on Anna Maria Island.

Sing along with the Christmas Bird Count
A spotted sandpiper, a shorebird that winters in Florida, was found during the Christmas Bird Count. – Kathryn Young | Submitted

The team of Stu Wilson, John Ginaven, Kathryn Young, Marcy Klein and Pam Koepf scoured the Island north of 46th Street and found shorebirds commonly seen on AMI’s coastline, but also unusual finds, such as two bald eagles.

Like birds? Try the Audubon app

They identified 48 species, a little low compared to the average of 54 species, Wilson said, attributing the decrease to continued warm weather in the northern U.S., keeping some birds from migrating south.

Each individual count takes place in a 15-mile-wide circle and is led by a compiler responsible for safely organizing volunteers and submitting observations to Audubon. Within each circle, participants tally all birds seen or heard that day – not just the species, but individuals, to provide a clearer idea of the health of that particular population.

Sing along with the Christmas Bird Count
A red-breasted merganser swims off Anna Maria City Pier looking for fish during the Christmas Bird Count. – Kathryn Young | Submitted

The 112 years’ worth of data collected during the Christmas Bird Counts contributes to one of two large sets of data that inform ornithologists and conservation biologists about what conservation action is required to protect birds and their habitats.

Here’s the rest of the AMI bird numbers:

 

sandwich tern 180

fish crow 140

European starling 130

laughing gull 130

sanderling 110

royal tern 87

willet 57

ring-billed gull 45

brown pelican 42

common grackle 32

double-crested cormorant 24

red knot 24

mourning dove 23

osprey 21

Eurasian collared-dove 20

herring gull 20

Forster’s tern 18

nanday parakeet 17

brown-headed cowbird 14

ruddy turnstone 9

great blue heron 8

turkey vulture 6

red-breasted merganser 5

rock pigeon 5

great egret 3

downy woodpecker 2

black-bellied plover 2

prairie warbler 2

American kestrel 1

red-shouldered hawk 1

spotted sandpiper 1

magnificent frigatebird 1

blue-headed vireo 1

gray catbird 1

yellow-rumped warbler 1

Reel Time: A New Year’s resolution

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

I’m guessing that when it comes to making and keeping New Year’s Resolutions, your average isn’t much better than mine. When I look back, I don’t sweat most of them. Resolutions like losing weight or exercising more aren’t so critical. Then there are other resolutions that one just can’t take for granted or put on hold anymore. The resolution to work to protect the habitat and water quality of the Suncoast rises to that level.

If you think that’s an overstatement, I encourage you to speak to any one of the professional fishing guides, like Captain Justin Moore, a second-generation guide on Anna Maria Island who spends over 200 days on the water every year. As a keen observer by trade and nature, Moore is alarmed with what he’s seeing. It was Moore and his dad, Captain Scott Moore, who first alerted me to the fact that vast stretches of Sarasota Bay had lost seagrasses after the devastating red tide of 2018. How did they know almost a year before the official notice was released by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program? He saw it with his own eyes, thousands of acres of lush grasses that he had fished for decades were suddenly just bare sand. I heard the same concerns from veteran anglers like Captain Todd Romine, who has been fishing Sarasota Bay for over three decades. Romine was so concerned, he sacrificed a day of fishing to take Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko to show him. Tomasko made an initial determination that day that grass beds that had been in water 5 feet or deeper were essentially gone.

This was six months before the results from the Southwest Florida Water Management District seagrass survey documented an 18% decline in seagrass across Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay and Little Sarasota Bay from 2018 to 2020. The decline equates to a loss of 2,300 acres of seagrass. The total acreage of seagrass coverage in the area is down from 12,853 in 2018 to 10,540 in 2020. By comparison, seagrasses in the 1950s covered about 10,246 acres, a low after dredge and fill operations and sewage systems devastated a once-vibrant ecosystem. The coverage steadily built from there as municipalities converted to central sewer systems and stormwater runoff began to be managed. Now the loss we’ve experienced in two years means the area basically has to start over.

Tampa Bay, linked directly to Anna Maria Sound, didn’t fare much better, losing 13% of its seagrass, more than 5,400 acres. When you consider that 2.5 acres of seagrass supports up to 100,000 fish and 100 million invertebrates like clams, crabs, starfish and snails, the impact of the loss becomes more evident.

If that wasn’t enough to alarm observers of the bay, the debacle at Piney Point – which released over 200 million gallons of phosphate process wastewater into Tampa Bay in the spring of 2021 – should have been. That release likely led to the most devastating red tide event in upper Tampa Bay in more than 30 years, killing more than 1,711 tons of sea life.

On top of these devastating events, two years of massive and unprecedented lyngbya (cyanobacteria) blooms in Anna Maria Sound and Tampa Bay in 2020 and 2021 blanketed thousands of acres of seagrass with a foul-smelling mass that blocked life-giving light.

While local waters have become clear as they cool during the winter, keen observers will notice that the bay is still chocked with a variety of algae. Why is that a problem? For an answer, we only have to look to the east coast of Florida and the sad saga of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). Once one of the most vibrant marine ecosystems on the planet, the IRL in recent years has seen massive die-offs of marine life and most recently an unprecedented loss of Florida manatees.

This is not an issue that should concern only fishermen, but has the potential to devastate an economy that depends on clean water and a vibrant ecosystem. People move to our area and buy homes because of the water and natural environment. It’s time for realtors, developers, builders, anglers and every segment of our community to pull together to demand accountability, purchase and protect vulnerable habitat and demand improvements in infrastructure that protect this environmental engine of progress. There are solutions if we can affect the political will. Yes, they will be expensive, but if we don’t act, the cost in the future will be overwhelming and may be too late. Resolve to be part of the solution.

“If you work to save the world and the world is lost, no regrets.” – The Dalai Lama.

The Wailers jumpstart new Center concert series

The Wailers jumpstart new Center concert series

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Music.

ANNA MARIA – A new concert series has kicked off at The Center of Anna Maria Island just in time for the holidays.

The first show in the five-part series featured the Grammy-nominated reggae group The Wailers. Led by Aston Barrett Jr., the group took to the Island stage on Dec. 11 as a part of their 2021 One World Tour.

The Wailers jumpstart new Center concert series
Aston Barrett Jr. leads The Wailers as the reggae group takes the stage at The Center for their One World Tour show on Dec. 11. – Kristin Swain | Sun

Performing to a packed crowd on the field, the group played the hits of the original Wailers, led by the legendary Bob Marley and featuring Barrett’s father, Aston “Family man” Barrett, as well as some of their own original songs. A standout of the performance was “One World, One Prayer,” the first single off The Wailers 2020 album of the same name.

The next show taking The Center’s stage will be Lou Gramm, former lead singer of award-winning rock band Foreigner on Saturday, Jan. 22, followed by Don Felder on Sunday, Feb. 20, Richard Marx on Wednesday, March 23 and Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals on Saturday, April 2. Tickets for all shows are on sale at www.centerami.org/events.

The Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series at The Center is presented by Bradenton Area Arts & Culture, the Sandbar restaurant and Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages.

Ringing in the holiday season, Island-style

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Parades.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The holiday spirit was on full display Dec. 11 as crowds lined the Island’s streets to see the annual AMI Privateers Christmas parade.

Led by the Privateers on the Skullywag, the Christmas parade brought out kids young and old to cheer as their friends and favorite characters traveled from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach, through Holmes Beach and down to City Pier Park in Anna Maria.

After the parade, Santa and some of his favorite pirate elves gathered at City Pier Park to take pictures, find out what everyone wants for Christmas and hand out presents to children.

The group from AMI Locals celebrates Grinchmas as they ride along in the annual Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas parade on Dec. 11. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The group from AMI Locals celebrates Grinchmas as they ride along in the annual Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas parade on Dec. 11. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One bicyclist joins in on the Christmas parade fun. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One bicyclist joins in on the Christmas parade fun. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Anna Maria Island Privateers lead the way down East Bay Drive on their landbound pirate ship, the Skullywag, for the 2021 Christmas Parade on Dec. 11. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Anna Maria Island Privateers lead the way down East Bay Drive on their landbound pirate ship, the Skullywag, for the 2021 Christmas Parade on Dec. 11. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Holmes Beach public works staff ham it up during the Christmas parade. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Holmes Beach public works staff ham it up during the Christmas parade. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Holmes Beach public works staff get in on the holiday fun during the Christmas parade. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Holmes Beach public works staff get in on the holiday fun during the Christmas parade. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Church members and kids celebrate the Christmas season on the Roser Church float. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Church members and kids celebrate the Christmas season on the Roser Church float. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Santa waves to the crowd as he travels along the Christmas parade route before stopping at City Pier Park in Anna Maria to hand out presents to good boys and girls. - Submitted | Gail Swain

Santa waves to the crowd as he travels along the Christmas parade route before stopping at City Pier Park in Anna Maria to hand out presents to good boys and girls. - Submitted | Gail Swain

Santa brings down the house as he arrives on his sleigh to the happy cheers of children during the Christmas parade. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Santa brings down the house as he arrives on his sleigh to the happy cheers of children during the Christmas parade. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Some of Santa’s elves take a ride on a boat instead of a sleigh. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Some of Santa’s elves take a ride on a boat instead of a sleigh. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Paddlers from Paradise take a break from their dragon boat to ride in the annual Christmas parade. - Kristin Swain | Sun

The Paddlers from Paradise take a break from their dragon boat to ride in the annual Christmas parade. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Events calendar

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Tuesday, Dec. 14

Farmer’s market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Reserve online

Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register online

One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Reserve online 

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 15

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lawton Chiles Christmas for Kids Party, Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring St., Anna Maria, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ukulele Instruction for Beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m. Register online at manateelibrary.libcal.com/event/8315413

AMI Chamber Business Card Exchange, Mainsail Beach Inn, 101 66th St., Bradenton Beach, 5-7 p.m., $5 for members or $10 for non-members. Reserve online 

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

CrossPointe Fellowship Christmas Concert, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 16

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Island Library Book Club, “The Midnight Library,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10:15 a.m. Reserve online 

Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-4 p.m. Register online

Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

AMI Chamber business card exchange, Mainsail Beach Inn, 101 66th St., Holmes Beach, 5 p.m., $5 for members or $10 for prospective members. Reserve online

Shutter Stroll, Robinson Preserve, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 5:15 p.m. Register online

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 17

Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10-11 a.m. Register online

Mahjong Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register online 

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 18

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m.

Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required.

Master Gardener Tour, Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. Reserve online 

Families Flock Together: Ornament Making, Robinson Preserve, screened pavilion, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m., $5. Reserve online 

Meditation, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m. Reserve online 

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Seeing Stars, Robinson Preserve, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 6:30 p.m. Reserve online 

Sunday, Dec. 19

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 8-10 a.m.

Roser Memorial Community Church Christmas Cantata, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30-11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online. Bring your own yoga mat. Register online or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 20

Episcopal Church of the Annunciation Hanging of the Greens, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m.

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m. Music begins at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 21

Winter Solstice Sunrise Paddle, Robinson Preserve, north entrance, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 6 a.m. Reserve online 

Farmer’s market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations are welcome.

Santa visits story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m.

Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online 

Mahjong Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Register online 

Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-2:30 p.m. Register online 

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 22

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ukulele Instruction for Beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m. Register online 

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 23

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 24

Christmas Eve

Saturday, Dec. 25

Merry Christmas!

Sunday, Dec. 26

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 8-10 a.m.

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30-11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online. Bring your own yoga mat. Register online or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 27

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m. Music begins at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 28

Farmer’s market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations are welcome.

Wonder Walk, Robinson Preserve, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m. Reserve to coral.bass@mymanatee.org.

Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online

Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-2:30 p.m. Register online 

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 29

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tortoise Talk, Robinson Preserve Valentine House, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m.

Ukulele Instruction for Beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m. Register online

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 30

Seashell Shore Walk, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m.

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Seaside Quilters, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Register online

Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Register online

Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 1

Happy New Year!

Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 8 a.m.

Manatee Audubon Society Birding Tour, Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 8:30 a.m.

Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required.

Shamrock Shiver sponsored by Clancy’s Irish Pub, Cortez Beach between Fourth St. South and 12th St. South, Bradenton Beach, noon. All proceeds benefit The Blessing Bags Project, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County and Parenting Matters Charities.

Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Reserve online 

Christmas in the Garden, Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 5-9 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 2

Farm stand, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 8-10 a.m.

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30-11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online. Bring your own yoga mat. Register online or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

Tuesday, Jan. 4

Farmer’s market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

RoserRobics, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m., no cost but donations welcome.

Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Reserve online

Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register online

One-on-one tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2-2:30 p.m. Reserve online 

Castles in the Sand

Global property boom

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

The old adage that all real estate is local for the most part still holds. For instance, properties on Anna Maria Island have significantly different price points than properties in other areas of Manatee County. However, there is a global reset in one area since the entire real estate market around the world after COVID-19 has experienced a property boom.

Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Asian markets are all struggling with the affordability of home prices. In most of these areas, as well as in the United States, the home price to income ratio is at a very high level; in some regions, the highest ever recorded. Governments are at a loss as to whether stepping in will help or hinder the marketplace. In China, efforts to slow down the market have been a failure and the rest of the world has been watching.

Homeowners who purchased their properties prior to the pandemic are substantially richer than they were on closing day. And Anna Maria Island may be the perfect example of what has happened during the last two years.

For several years I did a quarterly review of properties listed and sold over $1 million in the three cities on Anna Maria and Cortez. I’ve decided to change that analysis to every six months to better give a more consistent overall picture of the market. The following statistics are covering sales from May through October of this year, closing at or above $1 million as recorded by the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s office.

The city of Anna Maria closed 56 properties at or over $1 million, averaging slightly over nine properties per month. The highest sales were $6,800,000 and $6,750,000; there were three sales over $4 million; seven sales over $3 million; 13 sales over $2 million and the balance were $1 million or over.

The combined cities of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach closed 97 properties at or over $1 million, averaging slightly over 16 properties per month. The highest sale was for $5,450,000; there were three sales over $4 million; five sales over $3 million; 29 sales over $2 million and the balance were $1 million or over.

Cortez closed two sales, both over $1 million.

On the market or pending as of this writing in the city of Anna Maria, there are 35 properties $1 million or over. The highest is $16,500,000; there are two over $9 million; one over $6 million; one over $5 million; one over $4 million; six over $3 million; 12 over $2 million and 11 over $1 million.

The combined cities of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach have 61 properties on the market or pending as of this writing. The highest are $7,995,000 and $7,957,000; one over $6 million; one over $5 million; seven over $3 million; 16 over $2 million and 34 over $1 million.

Cortez has three properties; the highest is $4,750,000, a parcel of land at $1,300,000 and new construction in the Hunters Point development for $1,000,000.

If these numbers don’t blow you away, I don’t know what will. Some economists think it’s best to leave the market alone and let it find its own way, which I agree with. Most economists think that we will not have a 2008-type housing crash that was mostly created from poor lending standards, all of which have been tightened up.

There has been some very minor slowdown in sales in the national market recently, nevertheless, prices aren’t expected to fall significantly. Have a Happy Thanksgiving; we homeowners have much to be thankful for.

Thrift store reopens its doors

Thrift store reopens its doors

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – After months of renovations, the doors of the Roser Guild Thrift Store are open to the public and quite a lot has changed on the inside.

Members of the Guild and some of the volunteers who worked on the building renovations met Nov. 9 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the store followed by a tour of the newly refurbished interior.

Rev. Dirk Rogers gave a blessing of the store before Guild members and thrift store volunteers Peggy Nash and Margaret Atwood joined hands to cut the ribbon. They were then joined by church Trustee Alan Ward to unlock the door, officially reopening the shop for the first time in more than a year.

The store, 511 Pine Ave., is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Staffed by volunteers, the proceeds generated by the store help the Roser Guild provide scholarships, community programs and support to Roser Church and other local organizations.

For more information on the thrift shop, visit www.roserchurch.com/thrift-shop.

The Roser Guild would like to thank the following people and organizations, among others, who helped with the renovations at the thrift shop:

Alan Ward

Mike Oney

Moss Construction

Miller Electric

Gator Plumbing

Specialty Air

Wentzel Insulation

Charlie’s Stucco

Primecraft Flooring

Do It All Handyman Service

Charles Wade

Matt Meehan

Jay Calhoun

Randy Swain

Dale Dohner

Bruce Birkman

David Cheshire

Dan and Ruth Luckenberg

Edna Bomar

Brian Spellissy

Jack Brennan

Danny Demarco

Rick Maddox

Pam Ladd

Dan Devine

All of the donors and volunteers who made this project possible

Reel Time: Anatomy of a fishing rod

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

Whatever rod you fish with, be it a spinning rod, a fly rod or a casting rod, they all share the basic components – blank, guides, reel seats and handles. So why is one rod more expensive than another?

A rod’s blank is constructed from a product known as prepreg. This material is impregnated with resin and wrapped around a mandrel (which is removed after the blank is formed) giving the rod its basic round shape. This “blank” holds the guides, ferrules, handle, reel seat and fighting butt.

Prepreg has fibers that have a unidirectional (straight) orientation. The fibers can be made of different materials including fiberglass, graphite, boron or Kevlar. Some rods are made (laid up) from a prepreg that has additional fibers that run around or at an angle to the unidirectional fibers. This gives the rod additional strength and influences flex, stiffness and price.

Rod choice becomes critical when choosing an outfit for demanding conditions. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

A rod’s scrim refers to a lightweight material that forms an additional lining under the primary fibers and helps in working the material when it is wrapped around the mandrel. Scrim can be straight or woven and adds what is known as “hoop strength” to the finished rod.

The butt section is the cork part of the rod behind the reel seat that is held either in the non-dominant hand or fits into a fighting harness when playing a fish, while the handle is where the dominant hand is placed. The reel seat secures the reel to the rod. The fixed hood is the metal receiver where one end of the reel foot is placed. The sliding hood is the rear receiver that holds the other end of the reel foot. The locking ring is a nut that puts pressure on the sliding hood and holds the reel securely in place. The guides hold the line along the length of the blank. The ferrules connect sections of a two- or four-piece rod. The tip, as the name implies, is the section at the top of the rod.

You may also encounter the term taper. A rod’s taper refers to the diameter of a rod from the butt to the tip. The taper affects the rod’s action. Most rods have either a fast action (stiff) or a slow action (flexible).

When you’re shopping for a new outfit, knowing the parts and construction of a rod will help you make an informed decision. The most important part of the rod and the one that most affects its price and your buying decision is the blank. The materials and the method of construction of the blank determine its price. The least expensive rods are made from fiberglass while the expensive ones are constructed with graphite, boron and Kevlar. While fiberglass may be good for a beginner, the more expensive rods are a better choice for the seasoned angler. They are lighter, more responsive and less prone to break. But don’t let price determine your selection. There are a lot of very good rods on the market today that can be purchased at a good price point. The one thing to avoid is cheap equipment. It’s OK to buy a lower price point outfit if you’re a beginner, but choose an outfit that will make a good second rod when you upgrade. An informed decision can positively affect your angling efficiency and enjoyment.

Reel Time: Little tunny time?

Reel Time: Little tunny time?

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

Little tunny, one of my favorite species to catch on the fly, has essentially been missing for the last two years. Sure, anglers have encountered them during this time, but I haven’t found them to be a reliable target. Years ago, we would travel to Harker’s Island on North Carolina’s Outer Banks for the fall blitz. Then over time, they became a reliable target off our beaches during the spring and fall. The only reason I can come up with for their absence is the persistent red tide that ruined the tarpon fishing during July and now threatens our fall run of Spanish mackerel, kingfish and little tunny. I’ve got my fingers crossed this season and keep thinking back to one of the last runs we had in the Tampa Bay area. This is how I described it.

The water was flat and there was no sign of life as we neared the Tampa Bay shipping channel. Word was out that little tunny and Spanish mackerel were attacking baitfish in and along the edges of the waterway, but as far as we could see, the water was flat and mirror-smooth without a hint of action. After 10 minutes of surveying the waters in an easterly direction towards the Skyway Bridge, we were starting to wonder if the run from Longboat Key was a mistake. Then I remembered a day a few years back with Captain Rick Grassett, who was accompanying me, and I had a similar experience off Longboat Pass. Just as we were beginning to consider fishing in the bay instead of the Gulf, a striking fish exploded on the surface. After that, we were surrounded by action that lasted the whole morning.

No sooner had we uttered those words when baitfish started to show on the surface followed by diving birds and striking fish. Running to the nearest feeding frenzy, we cut the motor 20 yards away and launched small clousers into the melee. Almost immediately Grassett’s line came tight as a little tunny inhaled the fly. The fish bolted in a burst of speed that makes little tunny such a sought-after target. Grassett’s rod bent deeply as he applied pressure in an attempt to slow the fishes’ run as backing disappeared from his spool. The gamey fish would have nothing of it and ran another 20 yards of backing into the depths of the channel. After several more runs and a battle near the boat I was able to grab the little tunny’s tail and swing it into the boat for a quick picture. As quickly as we could, we launched the fast-swimming fish into the bay to give it a head start.

After the first fish, we found them challenging to intercept. Fish were exploding everywhere, but more often than not they would sound before we could get flies into the carnage. This is a common experience, but we knew to run up to a school as fast as possible and make casts before they sounded. Employing that technique we were able to catch four little tunny each and several mackerel before we decided to try the beaches on our return south.

We didn’t find any action on the return to Longboat, but we had a great day of action and were content to enjoy a smooth ride home in the Gulf. Little tunny should be in local waters until cold spells send them south. That’s a lot of time to enjoy some spectacular action. If you go, look for birds and breaking fish along the Gulf coast. Small flies and spoons that mimic the baitfish work best. Now is the time to enjoy some of the hottest rod-bending action of the year!

That was a memorable day and anglers should be on the lookout for action in the Gulf, especially after the first strong front sends water temperatures into the 70s. Little tunny will take any good baitfish pattern that matches the bait they’re after, but I love to watch them attack a top water fly. My favorite is a small Crease fly. Whatever fly you use, it’s important to hone your casting and be able to make the first cast count. More times than not, that will be your best and last opportunity!

Castles in the Sand

Resident spirit or creaking house?

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Halloween is this weekend, so it’s time to discuss the prospect of your house having a real live spirit who has taken up residence. Well, maybe not real live, but a spirit with an agenda.

Many homeowners believe they are sharing their homes with a spirit. They may see actual images or something that looks sort of like a spirit, or they may hear unusual sounds or talking. I’m not here to tell you that there are no such things as spirits who refuse to leave what once was their home, but chances are what you’re hearing are normal sounds and noises unique to every home.

When you move into a new house, it may take a while to figure out that the dripping noise you’re hearing isn’t your roof about to collapse, but the condensation from your air conditioning system. Likewise, houses – especially new construction – may take a while to settle. If you hear what you swear are footsteps from the upstairs bedrooms it may be just the wooden framing taking a little stretch and not the inhabitants of the Indian burial ground next door.

On the other hand, sounds could be a subtle warning of impending problems. Appliances are notorious for creating noise when something in the motor is thinking about giving up. Loud compressors in your refrigerator and dishwasher pumps that you’re starting to just notice could be a warning, as well as the never-ending running toilet.

There are so many noises coming into your home from outside sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s in the house or out. Trees and bushes scratching the windows, small animal claws and pecking birds can certainly drive you crazy. If you live on the water, get used to boat engines, snorting dolphins and jumping fish – it’s all part of the charm and not part of a haunting.

There are, however, homes where the owner truly believes and may even have proof of hauntings. The house used in the movie, “The Conjuring,” in Rhode Island is currently on the market. The present owners have turned their home into a little business by allowing paranormal investigators to spend the night on the property. It’s apparently a nice little business and one they hope to pass on to the new buyers.

One thing that’s not haunted are the Manatee County property values, so here are September’s from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:

Single-family homes closed 4.5% fewer properties than last September. The median sale price was $430,000, up 22.9% from last year, and the average sale price was $580,073, up 21.9% from last year. The median time to contract was 48 days, down 29.4% from last year, and the month’s supply of properties is .08 months.

Condos closed 26.4% fewer properties than last September. The median sale price was $285,000, up 29.5% from last year, and the average sale price was $321,810, up 6.9% from last year. The median time to contract was 6 days, down 85% from last year and the month’s supply of available properties was 0.6 months.

Cash offers are still very dominant in the single-family market, up 53.4%, however, condo cash offers dipped a little – by 6%. September was a slower month, not untypical for this time of year, with sale prices a little flat but with inventory so low we can expect that to turn around quickly as the season begins in full force. The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee is calling September the “calm before the storm,” so get ready for another record-setting real estate season.

As far as your current home, understand your home’s sounds and investigate anything that sounds out of whack before calling the ghostbusters. Enjoy Halloween and the friendly goblins at your door.

Red tide level remains high

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Algae, Outdoors, Red tide.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – High concentrations of red tide were again discovered last week at the 10th Street Pier in Bradenton Beach for the second week in a row, according to Friday’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.

Medium concentrations were detected that day in water samples taken at the Rod n’ Reel Pier in Anna Maria, the Longboat Pass boat ramp in Bradenton Beach and at Key Royale (School Key) in Holmes Beach. Very low concentrations were found at the Palma Sola Bay bridge in Bradenton, according to the report.

Red tide began appearing in mid-April after 215 million gallons of contaminated water was discharged into Tampa Bay from Piney Point, a former phosphate plant. The water contained the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as fertilizer for red tide. The discharge was approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to prevent contaminated water in a holding pond on top of a compromised gypsum stack from flooding the area. Piney Point is the subject of three pending lawsuits and is in receivership.

Fish kills and respiratory irritation related to red tide were reported in Manatee County and Pinellas and Sarasota counties, among others.

Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water and go inside to an air-conditioned space with closed windows and a clean A/C filter. Wearing masks, especially during onshore winds, is also advised.

Health officials warn against swimming near dead fish, and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can contain high concentrations of red tide. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.

Officials also warn that consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.

Updated red tide forecasts are available at habforecast.gcoos.org and at visitbeaches.org.

Castles in the Sand

Love is blind

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Usually, I write this column around Valentine’s Day, but this year I don’t think I can wait ‘til February. So, let’s talk about the mistakes both buyers and sellers make in an overheated real estate market and how it’s dangerous to fall in love with a home, even if it’s your own.

We’re approaching the busy selling season in Florida and everyone’s emotions are on high alert, waiting to see if sellers let loose a plethora of new listings and if buyers are still out there and not discouraged. Whatever happens, the old selling and buying rules are still in place – don’t let your emotions rule your good judgment.

A buyer will someday be a seller, so it’s important to choose a home that doesn’t have significant location flaws. The interior of a home can be fixed, renovated or enlarged, but if the home you’re settling for is near a highway, bridge or school, that can’t be changed. It’s tempting in this market to buy whatever is available and in your price range, but you still need to consider location first.

Florida has been experiencing a tremendous influx of buyers since COVID. Some are moving for our state’s attractive economic environment, some are just done with the congestion and weather in other parts of the country. Because of this a lot of new Florida residents are making emotional decisions and may someday regret it when they become sellers.

For the same reasons as above, buyers are buying homes sight unseen. The best way to tour a home is in person, or if you have a trusted friend or relative to do it for you. However, walking in the door for the first time after you’ve closed could be a shock when the kitchen cabinets are a lot more dinged than the pictures showed.

Waiving inspections even on homes that you plan on totally renovating is also a gamble. Plumbing, septic and flooding issues will still be there after you renovate the kitchen. Inspections are especially important for vacation properties, where the goal is to keep it low maintenance and enjoyable.

In this market, buyers who are priced out of single-family homes are jumping into condo ownership, many of them without realizing that properties with homeowner’s associations have restrictions you may find tough to live with. Read the condo documents, financials and rules and regulations thoroughly before signing the final contract.

In addition, the biggest mistake sellers make is assuming that a buyer will love your collection of 18th-century dolls scattered around your house and will overlook the dishes in the kitchen sink as just part of living. Wrong, a buyer’s eye will immediately go to the defects in a home and one that has too much stuff or is offensive in some way goes to the bottom of the list, even in this market.

Most sellers in this market have accumulated a lot of capital gains. Hopefully, everyone knows to keep accurate records of home improvements that can be used to offset the remaining capital gains after the IRS exemption ($250,000 for individuals, $500,000 for couples). Also consider during the negotiating process whether holding out for that extra $10,000 will actually give you money in your pocket when the capital gains are considered. It might not be worth losing the buyer for a smaller dollar amount than you thought.

The above points out just some of the ways a crazy real estate market can make you forget that you’re probably buying or selling the largest investment of your life. As in love, emotions can drive mistakes; don’t be blind to the consequences.

Reel Time: Get ready for fabulous fall fishing

Reel Time: Get ready for fabulous fall fishing

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

As I write these words, the first front of the fall season has begun to clear the humidity, a harbinger of cooler temperatures and hot offshore action.

Just last week I scouted the Gulf waters from Big Pass to mid-Longboat Key with Captain Rick Grassett. Although we managed to land four tripletail and a 16-pound cobia in a morning outing, signs pointed to a change we eagerly await after a long, hot summer season. We’ll still probably have to close our windows and doors and turn the AC on again, but the light and the cool mornings will be teasing us with the change to come. When the water cools into the 70s and we hope for the passing of the red tide, we can look forward to some of the season’s best fishing. When it all comes together, schools of bait, already starting to mass off area beaches, should continue to migrate inshore with pelagic species like kingfish, Spanish mackerel, false albacore, cobia and tripletail hot on their trail.

Now is a great time to prepare for the fall season, getting tackle in order and keeping an eye to the sky for diving birds and breaking fish. Fortunately, all of these species can be found right off our Gulf beaches and some even enter the bays. All will take live bait, lures or flies and can be caught on spinning, bait casting or fly tackle. With the possible exception of king mackerel and cobia, most are able to be landed with light (8-10 pound test) tackle, adding to the excitement.

Depending on the species you’re targeting, you’ll want to rig accordingly. Since it’s possible to encounter such a plethora of fish in a single outing, multiply outfits are a good idea. One of the main considerations should be rigging. After a long, hot summer, tackle can fall into disrepair and need to be replaced. However you fish, make sure your knots are properly tied. To assure you’ll never lose a good fish to poor preparation and inferior knots, moisten and tighten all knots, sharpen hooks and rig outfits with the appropriate bite tippet and leader. Options include wire, monofilament, long shanked hooks or a combination of these. It’s possible to catch a kingfish without wire but your odds aren’t good. The same applies with certain exceptions to Spanish mackerel. Mackerel can sometimes shy from wire. That’s the time to switch to a long shank hook or a heavy (60-pound) monofilament leader. Even then it’s possible to get cut off, but you’ll be guaranteed more action if the fish are feeding. When using wire, an 8- to 12-inch trace can be tied to monofilament using an Albright Special knot (best) or a swivel. If you use a swivel, use a black one as opposed to silver to prevent fish from mistaking it for forage. American Fishing Wire makes a product called Surflon Micro Supreme that is extremely flexible and kink resistant. This wire can be knotted to your lure, hook or fly like monofilament; it also provides greater flexibility and less stretch than monofilament. Umpqua makes a product that’s ideal for fly anglers. Their Re-Twistable Haywire Twist wire is reusable and will allow you to change flies in a snap. This is the quickest and most painless system to rig wire for toothy fish. Wire is less likely to deter a bite under low light conditions like early morning, overcast days and late in the day.

One of the most effective ways to find schooling fish in the fall is to look for surface action and diving birds in the inshore Gulf waters. Predators can also be present without revealing themselves around structure, reefs and wrecks. When you find baitfish schools and feeding fish, you can approach them by trolling, drifting or with the use of a trolling motor. Whatever method you employ, never let your boat pass through or get too close to the action. With more and more boats and anglers pursuing feeding fish, they are likely to sound and move away. The best bet is to stay outside the action but within casting distance. If trolling, make wide turns so only your lures pass through the action.

Live bait anglers target schooling fish in a number of ways. By anchoring up-current from a likely area, they may deploy a chum bag and then toss wounded live baits to draw fish into casting range. This can be an extremely effective method. Those who prefer artificial lures find spoons particularly effective as well as jigs like the DOA CAL or the Berkley Gulp. One of the most exciting and effective types of lures are top water models like the MirroLure Top Dog, the Heddon Zara Spook or Rapala Saltwater Skitter Pop. Not only is the strike visual and often explosive, but their action can attract target species.

Fly fishing is also an effective and exciting way to target fall species from cobia to tripletail, Spanish mackerel and even kingfish. The same rigging applies and top water flies like the Crease fly or Garthside Gurgler can produce some memorable strikes. Clouser Deep Minnows are also a great choice for Spanish mackerel and false albacore. This would be a good time of the year to have a 10- or 11-weight rod rigged with a big black fly should a cobia or late-season tarpon make an appearance.

Whatever your fishing style, take advantage of the great action you’ll find in area waters this fall. If you’re new to the game, consider hiring a guide. This is a great way to learn the ropes and a great value when shared with a friend. Good fishing!

Reel Time: In praise of seabirds

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

One of the things that makes the Suncoast special is our seabirds. Who hasn’t been stirred by the sight or song of a bird? The haunting sound of a whippoorwill signaling the arrival of spring, the colorful plumage of a spoonbill and the elaborate rituals of herons, terns and other seabirds in breeding season? The graceful flight of a formation of black skimmers, their bills tracing paths across the water’s surface at sunset?

Birds not only inspire and uplift us, they also provide a significant boost to Florida’s economy and are a major reason the state ranks as one of the nation’s top wildlife viewing destinations.

With all that birds provide us, it’s alarming to learn that species-wide, we’ve lost the equivalent of one in four birds in the last 50 years. The major reason is loss of habitat and the seabirds we treasure are particularly vulnerable due to the loss of mangroves for nesting. Many seabirds also lay their eggs and raise their young just above a barrier island’s high-water line.

Birds need our help and there are specific things that anglers and outdoor enthusiasts alike can do to help them. One of the most heartbreaking things anyone can experience is a dead or dying bird garroted in the mangroves by an unsuspecting fisherman’s line.

Anglers who fish the coastal waters of Florida will invariably come into contact with the seabirds that inhabit the estuaries of our state. Often, that encounter is deadly to seabirds if anglers don’t know the basics of avoiding contact with or caring for hooked birds. Birds live here, it’s their home, and they aid savvy anglers as they search for food. The birds get into trouble when they come in contact with discarded fishing line in the mangroves, or they take line to their roosts after becoming hooked.

The incidence of anglers hooking birds can be reduced or eliminated by following a few simple rules. First, never feed birds. This trains birds to look for a handout and leads them to often unsuspecting anglers. Second, while you’re fishing, be aware of birds that might be eyeing your bait or lure. It’s easy to pull it out of harm’s way at the last second before a bird dives on it.

If you do hook a bird, make sure that you fight them just like you would a trophy fish to prevent them from breaking the line. Trailing line can be a death sentence for the birds when they return to their roost at night. Care should be taken when handling birds due to their fragile, hollow bones and sharp beaks. First, place a towel over the bird’s head. This will calm them and protect the angler from sharp bills. You can then cautiously remove hooks and unwind line before releasing them.

An angler may never realize the tragic results of careless line management. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

During nesting season (peaking here May through June) birds are particularly vulnerable, especially those that nest on the beaches of our barrier islands. It’s crucial that humans avoid breeding colonies on public beaches and especially the few places designated as off-limits because of their critical nesting potential. Locally, protected areas like Egmont Key and Passage Key are often threatened by unsuspecting and careless beachgoers who endanger eggs and young hatchlings. The birds don’t have a voice and it’s left to those of us that appreciate and benefit from them to be their advocates.

If while fishing you see a hooked or tangled bird in an active rookery, don’t approach them during nesting season. Our well-meaning intentions can cause more harm than good by causing startled young birds to fall from the nest.
Taking care of the environment that feeds our passion is everyone’s responsibility. Follow these simple guidelines: be aware of the presence of sea birds, take care in handling them, and never feed birds. If you see a bird in distress and it’s not nesting season, you can free them. If they swim or fly away on their own that’s all you’ll need to do. If you believe they are too weak to recover on their own, contact one of the local organizations that rescue and rehabilitate sea birds. On Anna Maria Island you can call Wildlife Inc. at 941-778-6324. To our south call Save Our Seabirds on City Island in Sarasota at 941-388-3010. Audubon’s Coastal Island Sanctuaries has an informative website and can be reached by calling 813-794-3784. You can also join Sarasota Bay Watch’s Annual Fishing Line Cleanup in the fall.

Birds of all kinds are a critical component and bellwether of a healthy environment. Let’s all work together to create a vibrant and safe place – for the birds.