Category Archives: Conservation

Tourism Is Hurting Our Endangered Species

There’s an unfortunate reality that you’re being led away from. The idea that the community is trying to do things to ensure the success of our wildlife is an errant belief. The idea that the government is trying to ensure a similar outcome is also false. The hotels and tourism industry are cooperatively creating propaganda to promote the idea, the belief that these entities actually are working towards the success of our wildlife.

The unfortunate reality is they aren’t doing a lot to actually protect our wildlife.

One example of this is the hotels on the beach lack of concern for nesting turtles in the summer. The city and county are taking part in the devastating effects of overpopulating the beaches during a phase of the day when nesting is likely. Early in the morning chairs are going out on the beaches. Deep into sunset we have people crowding the beaches. Sea turtles and nesting birds aren’t stupid. They are aware of the lack of concern people have for their well-being. They steer clear of people of the beaches. They have a stupid tourist meter that guides them. They know the principles of psychology that people in groups are not likely to help those in need. Our wildlife is being adversely affected by the decisions people are making.

It’s unfortunate there isn’t more concern for our community. We need leaders who can take care of our natural resources. We need people who can focus on what matters here, and get done what needs to get done.

FWC Thinks We’re Retarted

When I searched the keywords “sea turtle success rate Florida” this is the information I find from FWC. They must really think we’re retarted. Here’s the link: Sea Turtle Success Rate Florida – FWC The Clearwater Marine Aquarium did the same thing when I tried to ask them about these things on camera at their public event at Pier 60. This is in contrast to more legitimate research about prevalence and incidence. It hurts man, it really hurts.

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The Dwindling Vaquita Porpoise Population; On The Brink of Extinction

The Vaquita porpoise is nearly extinct, now only living in the upper portion of the northern Gulf of California, Mexico, mostly within the Colorado River delta.

Bycatch is the number one threat to marine mammals.    Worldwide, estimates of over 650,000 marine mammals perish each year as a result Continue reading The Dwindling Vaquita Porpoise Population; On The Brink of Extinction

What’s Happening with Goliath Grouper?

The tasty goliath grouper has been prohibited as a fish to be harvested or possessed in state and federal waters since 1990. Some people think goliath grouper are at a point where they can be harvested. This massive fish has become highly prevalent in the waters of the Gulf.  Tampa Bay goliath grouper have had an especially high increase in abundance Continue reading What’s Happening with Goliath Grouper?

Recent Decision to Reclassify the Manatee

The once sparse manatee has reached a population denisty to neccesitate the reclassification from endangered to threatened.  The US Fish and Wildlife Service made the announcement on March 30th, 2017.  The official decision Continue reading Recent Decision to Reclassify the Manatee

Injured Loon at Key Vista Nature Park

Today while roaming around Key Vista Nature Park just next to the Anclote Power Plant we stumbled upon an injured loon laying along the bank of Rocky Creek. The Loon is a type of waterfowl like the Anhinga. It appeared to be injured. Even after being tapped with the side of a fishing pole the bird didn’t move an inch.  It only rotated its head a bit.  It was hard to say what the cause of the injury was.  The obvious thing is the fishing line wrapped around its beak, but other injuries could be possible.  We decided it would be Continue reading Injured Loon at Key Vista Nature Park