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As stone crab season begins many wonder … are those crabs safe to eat?

■ BY SUE ERWIN It’s officially stone crab season, and Dr. Phil Gravinese, a scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, said early testing has revealed catches close to shore have not been great. “Decomposing fish pull oxygen from the water, and that increases stress levels in the crabs,” Gravinese said. Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Public Information […]

Turtle patrol thanks all for help during challenging 2018 season

To the Editor: To call this season challenging would be an understatement. Of the six seasons the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association has been active on the island, 2018 will stand out with all the storms, predators, heat and hard work. Turtle predators thrived, and the red tide was relentless. One blessing this season: We […]

BIPS looks for beach ambassadors for new season

■ STAFF REPORT The Barrier Island Parks Society is looking for beach ambassadors to help inspire stewardship and preserve our local beaches. This exciting volunteer program provides informational training, with only two mandatory training dates available on October 27 and November 10. Becoming a beach ambassador means you’ll learn all kinds of fascinating things, and you […]

The Island School opens its doors for the 2018-19 season

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE This year’s Island School students gathered in their classrooms on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 8 to prepare themselves for the upcoming 2018-19 school year, which begins this Friday. Head-of-School Jean Thompson said the school is at a maximum enrollment of 60 again this year, and a lottery was held for the second […]

Search for scallops coming soon

■ STAFF REPORT The annual Great Bay Scallop Search is planned for this area is from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18. The purpose of the resource monitoring program is to document the health and status of bay scallops populations by snorkeling and looking for scallops in select areas. This is a […]

Sea turtles continue nesting, hatching … sometimes dying

■ BY SUE ERWIN Despite the effects of red tide, sea turtle nest numbers are continuing to grow, hatchlings are making their way to the water, and excavations are being done by patrol members on a consistent basis. As of July 27, the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association reported 614 Caretta caretta (loggerhead) turtle nests […]

Scallop search set for August 18

■ STAFF REPORT Calling all volunteer boaters and snorkelers! Your help is needed for the annual Great Bay Scallop Search. The event is planned to take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18. The purpose of the resource monitoring program is to document the health and status of bay scallops populations […]

Some red tide fatalities, but sea turtle numbers still growing

■ BY SUE ERWIN Despite the effects of red tide, sea turtle nest numbers are continuing to grow, hatchlings are making their way to the water, and excavations are being done by patrol members almost daily. As of July 20, the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association reported 554 Caretta caretta (loggerhead) turtle nests on the […]