Treasure Coast News Briefs

Florida Oceanographic Society 50th Anniversary Open House

Florida Oceanographic Society was established on July 20, 1964. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Florida Oceanographic invites the community to an open house on Sunday, July 20 at the Coastal Center, 890 N.E. Ocean Blvd., on Hutchinson Island in Stuart. From 12 noon to 4 p.m., the Coastal Center will be open to the public, with free admission and special programming. Learn more at FloridaOcean.org or call (772) 225-0505.

The Martin County spoil island, known as Bird Island and also identified as MC2, was recently designated as a Critical Wildlife Area (CWA).
The Martin County spoil island, known as Bird Island and also identified as MC2, was recently designated as a Critical Wildlife Area (CWA).

Bird Island designated Critical Wildlife Area (CWA) by FWC

The Martin County spoil island, known as Bird Island and also identified as MC2, was recently designated as a Critical Wildlife Area (CWA). Based on the abundance and diversity of birds using the island, biologists consider Bird Island one of the top 10 waterbird colonies in south Florida. The two-acre island provides nesting habitat for at least 17 bird species, eight of which are state or federally listed as species of special concern or endangered, respectively, and roosting habitat for many more.

Bird Island is the first CWA to be established by the Commission in more than 20 years. CWAs are established by the FWC to protect important congregations of one or more species of wildlife from human disturbance during critical life stages. Currently, there are 18 CWAs throughout Florida, which are managed for nesting and wintering shorebirds, wading birds, gopher tortoises and bats.

Located next to the town of Seawall’s Point, Bird Island is one of seven spoil islands in Martin County created as a result of dredging in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

River Center announces inaugural Jr. Angler Fishing Tournament

The River Center recently announced its inaugural Jr. Angler Fishing Tournament, which began May 15 and ends July 27. The contest highlights the diversity of fish species in local waters by awarding points to anglers, ages 5 to 17, based on the quantity and variety of species caught.

Points accumulate throughout the summer as participants submit photographs of their fresh and salt water catches from Martin and Palm Beach Counties. To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/ky9rdl7. Registration fee is $25 per angler. Registration packets are also available at the River Center. Participants receive a t-shirt and an invitation to the “End of Summer” Fish Fry that will take place at the River Center on Saturday, August 2 at 12 noon. For more information, call (561) 743-7123 or stop by the River Center, located at 805 N. U.S. Highway 1 in Jupiter.