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." ...more

February 4, 2009

A Rocky Creek homeowner who cut down dozens of mangroves and built an illegal boat dock has to pay a $16,850 fine but will continue to have boat access to Tampa Bay. ...more

October 4, 2008

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." ...more

January 6, 2008

TAMPA - Patrick Cannizzaro tells the fourth-graders around him that they've been brushing their teeth with algae all their lives. ...more

November 25, 2007

For Bay area anglers, 6-foot tides and water the color of day-old coffee might seem an alien environment. But it's business as usual for fishermen such as Terry Lacoss, who for more than 25 years has made his living on the waters around Amelia Island, north of Jacksonville. ...more

November 16, 2007