TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Act To Save Bay

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2009

Tampa Bay's seagrass destruction by boaters is inexcusable and irresponsible. There are two thoughts about stopping this destruction. The majority side says do nothing and leave the responsibility for changing boater behavior to law enforcement. The other side says take action with a management plan that's positive and meaningful. Cost associated with enforcement in today's financial climate is a "pie in the sky attitude," not reality. To those guides and sport fishermen who support enforcement over management, policies stopping outboard destruction of seagrasses amounts to saying, "We care little about the bay's underwater habitat, the nurseries for juvenile fish."

Forecasted growth and the resulting boat traffic will increase seagrass destruction in Tampa Bay. It comes down to drawing a line in the sand. There's no middle ground. Do we care about the most important habitat in Tampa Bay, or bury our heads in the bay's sand?

GUS MUENCH

Ruskin

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT