The decimated state of the lagoon is tragic, untimely and downright bad for business, but it is my opinion that it is also without a correctable cause. Mother Nature shot herself in the foot, in a matter of speaking, with the devastating freezes of 2010. Yes, human encroachment loaded the gun and agricultural run-off cocked the hammer, but the two most prolonged periods of near freezing weather in a century pulled the trigger. Helping the lagoon heal itself should be foremost in everyone’s mind, rather than who or what is the most politically convenient scapegoat. The time for words is over; let’s see some action in the form of replanting of grasses and a stocking program for our most sought after fish species. For some reason ($$$) Florida lags behind most of the other states when it comes to enhancing its fisheries resources. The Florida fisheries have been negatively impacted by the hand of man for the last 150 or so years. Why then are state biologists so concerned that a stocking program in the most heavily fished state in the U.S. will detrimentally affect the gene pool of native species, when not having a gene pool left at all is a more frightening possibility? The negative human influences along the shores of the Indian River Lagoon aren’t going away, so what’s wrong with using human influence to try and help maintain the intrinsic value of the lagoon?
The good news about the inshore and near shore fishery in the Sebastian area is that the worst should be behind us. The wind has finally shown signs of calming to summertime levels, so safe passage in and out of Sebastian inlet for small boaters should again be possible. The cold water upwelling that has been plaguing our offshore and near-shore Atlantic waters for two months should dissipate by August. Big snook have been very evident in the lagoon since late spring and they should now be at Sebastian Inlet preparing to spawn and feed. A fringe of seagrass has finally sprouted in the lagoons shallowest bays and along some shorelines. Not enough grass, or in the right places to hold trout and reds during the summers heat, but it may fill in and be habitable by early fall. There have been enough ladyfish, jacks and bull sharks in the lagoon to keep my clients occupied and now that the ocean is within my reach kingfish, little tunny and cobia can be added to the hit list.
Just calling it like I see it.