The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act — a bill in Congress that’s considered critical to fish and wildlife conservation — needs a push to become reality. Meanwhile, Hurricane Ian continues to reveal its reality in Southwest Florida in the form of red tide.
RAWA, or any bill that could protect and improve fishing, should be on every dealer’s radar screen, particularly those selling fishing boats. The bill is called “critical” by the fishing industry and marine associations.
The decline of our fish and wildlife stocks and loss of natural habitat is one of our greatest long-term threats. Scientists estimate that one-third of fish and wildlife species in the United States are at risk of becoming threatened or endangered. RAWA would dedicate $1.4 billion annually to state and tribal fish and wildlife agencies to implement specific science-based recovery programs. And in the process, cleaner waters and healthier fish habitat will be generated, ultimately benefiting boaters and anglers.
The good news is that RAWA has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Moreover, it reportedly has bipartisan support in the Senate. The bad news is even the best ideas can die in Congress without a push from constituents. So push!
Take a moment today and email your U.S. Senators asking them to support RAWA (SB 2372). It needs Senate approval now.
Red Tide
Apparently Hurricane Ian isn’t finished leaving its ugly mark on southwest Florida. An red tide bloom has developed along portions of the Gulf Coast bringing back stark memories for boaters and anglers of the massive episode that hit the region for nearly 19 months beginning in 2017.
The latest reports are that thousands of fish are succumbing to red tide and are washing up on some of the state’s most pristine and popular beaches. According to the Florida Wildlife Commission, fish kills have been observed in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties during the past week. Moreover, red tide is drifting north, and low levels are being found at the mouth of Tampa Bay, the area with the largest number of registered boats in the Sunshine State.
During that last red tide episode, a nose-dive in tourism dragged on for more than a year. Coastal communities had to use front-loaders to remove dead fish from beaches nearly every morning for months. State officials issued health advisories warning people about respiratory irritation.
During that red tide, we anglers found that our usually productive, easy-to-reach, near-shore spots within five miles of shore were barren. We discovered that our mainstay sportfish, including grouper, snapper and hogfish, had moved at least 30 miles out.
Scientists report that this outbreak of the Karenia brevis algae species is being fed by nutrient-rich run-off generated by Hurricane Ian. “I don’t see any good evidence that hurricanes initiate a red tide, but once you have a red tide started, runoff will make it worse,” Larry Brand, a water-quality expert, scientist and professor at the University of Miami, told the Fort Myers News-Press.
Let’s hope that this runoff doesn’t cause a double whammy: an increase in algae blooms next summer. No one wants a return to slime time.
