Crisis in Florida Bay: An Argument for More Water NOW! (The Everglades)

The Angling Report is proud to share this conservation report on water issues in The Everglades. We welcome further comments and discussion. The link below will take you to the report in its entirety.

Click the following link for the full report:
http://www.anglingreport.com/online_...ition_2015.pdf
Important Florida fisheries are imperiled by the slow, tortured pace of Everglades restoration. Florida Bay, a once spectacular fishery wedged between mainland Florida and the Keys, continues to be starved of fresh water, creating hypersaline conditions and toxic algae blooms decimating fish and the natural environment. East central Florida’s St. Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon and the Caloosahatchee River and Bay on the west coast are still receiving phosphorus-laden water from Lake Okeechobee because the water may not be sent south into the Everglades. Of course, insufficient quantities of water going south exacerbates Florida Bay’s problems as the ultimate recipient of water that should flow to it via the Glades. Scientists and decision makers know what needs to be done, but bureaucracy, litigation, political opposition, and the unforeseen and often unintended consequences of Everglades restoration requirements contribute to the continued demise of these fisheries. The situation is especially disheartening since some small steps toward restoration were beginning to show improvements in Florida Bay until inaction and more manmade and drought hit the Bay, putting it back on the ropes. Anglers need to understand the specific Everglades issues impacting these fisheries and begin to insist that federal and state restoration programs and projects, some approved 27 years ago, get completed and get completed fast. In the interim, the dire conditions in Florida Bay may demand short-term emergency measures to provide more freshwater there immediately; continued delay and inaction may push the Bay and its fisheries past the point of no return.