Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY SUSAN ERWIN After some recent concerns over the future of the Boca Grande Farmers Market existing at the Wheeler Road Ballfield, we can be secure in the knowledge the second farmers market season will be starting on Friday, Oct. 2 at that location. The fate of season three, however, is still up in the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The recreational red snapper season for Gulf state waters reopens to harvest Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5-7, and will continue to be open for Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, with the last day of harvest being Sunday, Nov. 1. At its April 16 meeting in Tallahassee, the Florida Fish and […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Editorial.
SUBMITTED BY THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Heavy rain and rough weather along southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast are impacting sea turtle nests along the beaches, jeopardizing the eggs and hatchlings emerging from the nests. Many nests of loggerhead and green turtles have been documented this year in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE It doesn’t take long to get used to having something so good as the Boca Grande Farmers Market around. Residents of the island have become familiar with the Friday routine of stopping by for lunch, a cup of coffee, live music and, of course, lots of fruits, vegetables and plants. But, according […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY KAITLYN FUSCO Mote Marine Laboratory scientists are conducting a novel study of the protected goliath grouper offshore of Lee and Charlotte counties to understand where and when these fish aggregate, and what type of habitat supports them — critical information for ensuring population recovery of this species. Goliath grouper, capable of reaching several hundred […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY MIKE VASHER When was the last time you had the opportunity to be invited onboard a fishing vessel to get to meet and speak with one of the world’s most well-known artists, scientists, explorers, and conservationists, Dr. Guy Harvey? With a little perseverance, Capt. Sandy Melvin, owner of Gasparilla Outfitters and a director of […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
At right is our weekly sea turtle numbers, as recorded by the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association. One thing to remember this week particularly, though, is to clean up the beach after any Fourth of July celebrations. Be mindful of all trash and fill in holes dug in the sand. Remove all beach furniture and […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY ANGIE MILLS AND MARCY SHORTUSE The 4th Annual Turnin’ Tides Invitational, is now in the history books. It began with a whole lot of patient anglers biting their nails for two hours, and ended with 20 minutes of exceptional activity with four boats battling it out for the “last fish” award.With a little more […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
Join Florida Sea Grant, UF/IFAS Lee County Extension and the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation by participating in the 2015 Pine Island Sound Scallop Search, a resource-monitoring program in which volunteers snorkel, looking for scallops in select areas within Pine Island Sound. The July 18 event is sponsored by Lee County Parks & Recreation, Charlotte Harbor […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE Island sea turtle patrollers were full of excitement on Thursday, May 28 when they realized they had their first confirmed green turtle nest on Gasparilla Island. “We’ve got a green!” was the post on Facebook by the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association. They noted the green turtle’s “enthusiastic nesting style,” and said, […]