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Reel Time: Waterkeepers guide hurricane recovery grants

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

The waters on Florida’s Gulf Coast are more than the scenery, wildlife and beaches, they are also a lifeline for fishing guides. Following the 2024 hurricane season, which brought widespread damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, many who depend on healthy waters for their livelihoods are still struggling to recover.

In response, Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper are teaming up to provide much-needed financial aid to local recreational fishing professionals impacted by these storms. Thanks to a grant from the International Game Fish Association’s Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund, eligible captains and guides can apply for competitive grants of up to $1,000 to help cover lost income and recovery expenses.

“The recreational fishing industry plays a vital role in safeguarding our local waters, often serving as the first line of defense by reporting pollution incidents,” said Dr. Abbey Tyrna, executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper. “We’re proud to support this community and give back to those who faced economic hardship during the 2024 hurricane season.”

Application details:

  • Open: July 26 – Aug. 2
  • Who’s eligible: Recreational fishing industry professionals impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, including charter captains, operating within the Suncoast and Tampa Bay regions. Priority will be given to those who work full-time in the recreational fishing industry.
  • Required documentation: A valid U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license, proof of insurance, completed W-9 form, verified proof of trip cancellations or revenue loss (booking records, customer statements).

Apply at https://bit.ly/WARF_grant beginning July 26.

“Charter captains are the tip of the spear when it comes to our coalition of water quality advocates in Tampa Bay,” said Justin Tramble, executive director of Tampa Bay Waterkeeper. “This industry took a significant and unfortunate hit during last season’s historic hurricane season. We are honored to stand with our partners to support our community.”

Grant recipients will be announced on Aug. 15. Funds will be awarded based on the applicant’s primary service area, either the Tampa Bay or Suncoast region.

This effort is made possible by the Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund (WARF), established in 2017 in partnership with Costa Sunglasses. Since its inception, WARF has distributed over $305,000 to fishing communities impacted by natural disasters across the U.S., Caribbean and Central America, helping local guides recover and rebuild. Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper share a united mission to protect and restore the waters of the region to ensure fishable, swimmable, and drinkable water for all.

Together, these Waterkeeper organizations are committed to supporting and giving back to the fishing community that has been heavily impacted by natural disasters, standing alongside those who support and depend on healthy waters.

To learn more about and join the work of Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, visit their websites at https://www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org/ and https://www.tampabaywaterkeeper.org/

Reel Time: Sarasota Bay Partners Grants offer environmental win/win

Reel Time: Sarasota Bay Partners Grants offer environmental win/win

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

Sarasota Bay Partners Grants are competitive awards for projects in the Sarasota Bay watershed that promote habitat and water quality restoration, environmental education, community involvement and stewardship to improve the overall quality of Sarasota Bay and its tributaries. Stormwater runoff, sewage spills, leaking septic tanks and a thousand other insults threaten the health of Sarasota Bay. Add in warming temperatures, rising sea levels and altered weather patterns, all of which will continue to impact our natural and built environments.

I’m often asked what an individual or a group can do to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. One way to make a difference is to take advantage of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s Bay Partners Grants. The SBEP was formed with the aim to protect Sarasota Bay and its environment, the economic engine of the region and the reason most of us live here. Local actions like this help prepare our communities and estuary for these changing conditions. There are many opportunities to engage. These include but are not limited to:

  • Planting shade trees in highly paved urban areas;
  • Installing rain gardens and bioswales to filter runoff from impervious surfaces;
  • Diverting gutter downspouts from impervious surfaces to planter boxes, garden beds or other permeable areas, or to rainwater harvesting systems like rain barrels and cisterns; and
  • Implementing living shorelines or seawall modifications that will allow mangroves to “migrate upslope.”

Recently, Banyan Bay Condominium on Longboat Key took advantage of a grant to turn an area they had nicknamed the “swamp” into a vibrant area that beautified the grounds, created a natural pollinator garden for birds and insects and helped protect the section of Sarasota Bay that fronts the property. The project was led by residents Terri and Dr. Jeff Driver. Their experience and the outcome are best expressed in Terri’s own words. According to Driver, “We had some uncertainty about whether our proposed project would fit the requirements for a grant from SBEP Partners. A friend recommended we call SBEP and simply ask if they would look at our space and situation and see if it was appropriate for a grant proposal.

“On a very tight timeline and on short notice (because the proposal was due in about two and a half weeks), SBEP grant manager Darcy Young visited our property and evaluated our proposed site, agreeing that it was exactly what would help Sarasota Bay if re-planted to native species. SBEP was very helpful in response time and providing guidance to complete our grant application.

“SBEP recommended a couple of native plant nurseries, but Annie Schiller at Florida Native Plant Nursery was very responsive. On very short notice, Annie visited, evaluated our proposed renovation area and very quickly provided a list of plant species and number to be planted specific to our wet and dry areas. She also reminded us about mulch requirements. We called Annie the morning our proposal was due to make changes and Florida Native Plant Nursery provided updated estimates two hours before our proposal was due. They were very responsive to changes. Once we received the grant, Florida Native Plant Nursery brought the plants in and helped with recommended placement. Our community members planted all 134 plants, creating a new native forest at The Banyan Bay Club.”

On Feb. 27, members of the press and the condo association attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the new space and celebrate their investment in protecting Sarasota Bay while improving the condominium grounds, a true win/win experience.

Although the next grant deadline is a year away (2024), now is an excellent time to plan how you can take advantage of this program and make a difference while enhancing your place in the bay’s watershed. For more information and to apply for a grant, go to https://sarasotabay.org/get-involved/apply-for-a-grant/.