Sarasota Bay Watch is a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to protecting and restoring Sarasota Bay's ecosystem through community education and citizen participation.
President's Past Messages
December 2011
SBW Releases Scallops in Sarasota Bay
Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) instituted a revolutionary restoration project in Sarasota Bay today. In multiple locations from Manatee County to Sarasota County SBW released close to three million scallop larva over healthy grass beds. The group accessed the location with boats provided by Cannons Marina on Longboat Key. This is a true legacy project for us. Sarasota Bay Watch is undertaking a sustained, multi-year restoration effort. SBW plans to spend the next five, ten, or more years releasing scallops four or five times a year.
Bay scallops don’t have the charismatic appeal of dolphins and manatees, but they are regarded by the scientific community as a vital indicator species. During the 1960s, when pollution and development was at its height, sea grass beds were negatively impacted as were fish, shrimp, and scallops. “Scallops are one of the most complex organisms in the bay,” said John Ryan, also a co-founder of SBW and brainchild of the scallop restoration program.
The money to grow the hatchlings was raised at an event called Scallopalooza, hosted, by the Sarasota Yacht Club, which has been a fixture of the Sarasota waterfront since 1926.
Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) instituted a revolutionary restoration project in Sarasota Bay today. In multiple locations from Manatee County to Sarasota County SBW released close to three million scallop larva over healthy grass beds. The group accessed the location with boats provided by Cannons Marina on Longboat Key. “This is a true legacy project for us," stated Rusty Chinnis, Co-Founder of SBW. Sarasota Bay Watch is undertaking a sustained, multi-year restoration effort. The group plans to spend the next five, ten, or more years releasing scallops four or five times a year.
Bay scallops don’t have the charismatic appeal of dolphins and manatees, but they are regarded by the scientific community as a vital indicator species. During the 1960s, when pollution and development was at its height, sea grass beds were negatively impacted as were fish, shrimp, and scallops. “Scallops are one of the most complex organisms in the bay,” said John Ryan, also a co-founder of SBW and brainchild of the scallop restoration program.
The money to grow the hatchlings was raised at an event called Scallopalooza, hosted, by the Sarasota Yacht Club, which has been a fixture of the Sarasota waterfront since 1926.
November 22, 2011
Sewage Spill Hits Sarasota Bay
Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW), was disturbed to hear about the sewage spill in the City of Sarasota that resulted in an "estimated" 40,000 gallons of raw sewage reaching bay waters. We were reminded that events like this, although preventable, happen and that's why SBW 's efforts to protect and restore Sarasota Bay's ecosystem are so important. The healthier the Bay, the better it can handle challenges like sewage spills, red tide, storm water run-off and loss of habitat. Our goal is to establish a working relationship with community leaders, business owners, the environmental community and the public to advance those goals.
If this accident has a silver lining, it is a reminder for stakeholders to work together to make Sarasota and her bays a better and healthier place to live. Our motto is, "A Healthy Bay is Everybody's Business." Whether you're a realtor, a fishing guide, a plumber, a developer or a restaurateur, all of our financial futures are inextricably linked to a healthy bay and a vibrant marine environment
October 2011
Skier's Island Clean Up Nets Big Load
It was rewarding to return from two weeks on the island of Aitutaki in the South Pacific to see that in my absence Sarasota Bay Watch had completed another successful project to help clean up Sarasota Bay.
While on Aitutaki, I had the pleasure of working with a group of international anglers helping the locals set up a bonefish guiding program. For generations the community worked together netting bonefish for food. This activity has been an important part of their culture. That resource is now being severely stressed and the locals have the vision of working towards a sustainable fishery to support future generations. I was reminded of Sarasota Bay Watch and how our missions dovetailed.
Citizens (in Aitutaki, and the Sarasota Bay Region) who donate their time and energy to projects like these determine the future health of our natural resource. Many thanks to the Riverview High School National Honor Society and Sarasota Bay Watch for their joint efforts in cleaning up Skier's Island. It was a great success!!! Over thirty people picked up a dumpster full of trash and left a part of our environment in better shape than they found it. A big thanks to Ronda Ryan, Dave and Jennifer Shafer, Larry Stults and Samantha Jones.
September 2011
Restore The Gulf Act of 2011, Senate Bill 1400
Last month I (and many other stakeholders) participated in a conference call with the staff of Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama and Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana. The topic of the discussion was Senate Bill 1400. Known as the Restore the Gulf Act of 2011, the legislation represents the bi-partisan efforts of nine Senators from the Gulf Coast Region ( including Florida's Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio) to see that monies collected from fines associated with the BP Deep Horizon oil spill are returned to the Gulf Coast. In the coming months it's important that members of the public along the gulf coast lobby congress to fast track a bill for the President's signature. Members of Sarasota Bay Watch can help by contacting media outlets and writing letters to the editors of local publications. Stay tuned for more on this important legislation.
August 2011
Scallopalooza A Great Success
The "Scallopalooza-Repay The Bay" evening at the Sarasota Yacht Club, held Saturday evening August 6, 2011 was a resounding success. Close to 200 people showed up to support scallop restoration efforts in Sarasota Bay. There was also great interest in numerous live and silent auction items collected by the Yacht Club and members of Sarasota Bay Watch. Preliminary results indicate that the event surpassed the goal of raising $10,000.00 to kick-off scallop restoration efforts in Sarasota Bay.
I'd like to extend a special thanks to Commodore Jeff Birnbach of the Sarasota Yacht Club for making this amazing venue available and involving its members in the efforts to protect and improve the quality of Sarasota Bay. A debt of gratitude is also in order for the vision and persistence of our co-founder John Ryan who believes that scallops will once again flourish in Sarasota Bay.
Of course the work behind the scenes is not always evident to participants, so we must offer special thanks to Ronda Ryan who orchestrated hundreds of details into a seamless success. And to Caroline McKeon of Florida Journey Communications we send our deep appreciation for doing a spectacular job of getting the message out about this event.
We are always indebted to the tireless efforts of our Board members especially including Pierre Schutte, Dave and Jennifer Shafer, Larry Stults, Gary Serviss and our hard working intern Samantha Jones.
Last, but certainly not least, thanks to the many businesses that donated raffle items and to presenters Steve Geiger and Rodney Potter who demonstrated their love of, and commitment to a healthy bay.
These are exciting times for Sarasota Bay Watch and the Communities that line its beautiful shoreline. Our new Motto: A Healthy Bay is Everybody's Business, is resonating with local residents, business owners and entities like the Sarasota Yacht Club, The Sarasota Sailing Squadron, and The Town of Longboat Key. The Sister Keys have now officially been adopted by Sarasota Bay Watch. In a vote that passed unanimously, Longboat Key Commissioners blessed the agreement that will unite Sarasota Bay Watch, The Town of Longboat Key and other partners in an effort to preserve and enhance this magnificent natural area in North Sarasota Bay.
PBS from Tampa recently interviewed me about the effects of the Gulf (Deepwater Horizon) oil spill. They were interested in the thoughts and responses of organizations like Sarasota Bay Watch. Click here to watch the video.
Check out the events tab for information on the upcoming 4th Annual Sarasota Bay Great Scallop Search, August 13, 2011 at the Mar Vista. There are some very exciting projects on the horizon including scallop seeding in Sarasota Bay, sea grass mapping, monofiliment clean-up and prop scar repairs. Check back often for updates, and if your not a member yet we'd love to have your support!
"The best, and perhaps the ONLY thing that we can really do to save fish stocks and sea/shore birds is to protect and preserve their home! Sarasota Bay Watch is the perfect starting point!" - Flip Pallot
"Sarasota Bay Watch, like Tampa Bay Watch, is one of the most important organizations to join, if you have ever enjoyed and want to continue enjoying the pristine shoreline and clear waters of Sarasota Bay.” - Stu Apte
