Sea Life Thriving In Sarasota Waterways

SARASOTA - Some say the state's severe drought conditions are good for business.

"It's been great out on the water," said Rick Grassett, a Sarasota fishing guide. "Seagrass is thicker and more abundant. Fish are more plentiful."

Statewide, rainfall is 20 inches below average during the past two years, diminishing the flow of fresh water into coastal estuaries. South Florida soon will be under its most severe restrictions ever, with outside watering cut to once a week in 16 counties from Orlando to the Keys.

Lake Okeechobee, a backup drinking water source for 5 million people and the heart of the Everglades, remains at a record low. Agriculture in the region has been forced to cut 45 percent of its water use.

The industry, including sugar, peanuts and horticulture, could see up to $1 billion in losses.

But some say the drought also is neutralizing harmful drainage from farms and developments, reducing water pollution and boosting marine life in local bays.

Scallops, for example, have been found in some bays for the first time in years, and are expanding in many areas. Experts say oysters are thriving as well, with the highest survivability rates since Sarasota County began monitoring them in 2003.

In Dona Bay, in Nokomis, less fresh water carrying pollutants meant oysters and seagrass last year were thriving.

"We've seen a really dramatic increase in scallops last year," said Jay Leverone, a staff scientist for Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota. "We can't confirm the reasons. We can only observe. But we do know that we don't have those stressors like excessive fresh water and nutrients."

Another factor likely helping scallops is the lack of red tide that often kills sea life in the region. Grassett said red tide nearly wiped out spotted sea trout in the region in 2005, but the fish rebounded last year.