YEAR 2009 - CRP Project #8003 (Gulf of Mexico)
Project #8003
Habitat Restoration thru Removal of Entangling Debris near Tampa Fishing Piers
Pinellas County, Florida
Project name: |
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Habitat Restoration thru Removal of Entangling Debris near Tampa Fishing Piers |
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Project number: |
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8003 |
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Project status: |
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In Progress |
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Grant Administrator: |
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Gulf of Mexico Foundation (for NOAA) |
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Grantee: |
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Ocean Conservancy |
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Project location: |
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Tampa Bay Area, Florida |
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Grant period: |
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Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2020 |
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Grant amount: |
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$46,191 |
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Land Ownership: |
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All project sites are public, including sovereign submerged lands and the associated shoreline |
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Lat/Long: |
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27.65/82.67 |
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Types of Habitat: |
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Hard bottom, mangrove shorelines, coral reefs |
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Project leader: |
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Jessica Koelsch, Program Manager
Florida Marine Wildlife Program
1300 19th Street, 8th Floor
Washington, DC NW 20036
www.oceanconservancy.org |
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Map of project site |
Species Benefiting From Restoration:
• Mangrove Forest
• Sea Grasses
• Salt Marshes
• Coral Reefs
• Marine fish
• Crabs
• Dolphins
• Marine Turtles
• Sea Birds
• Manatees
Acres of Habitat To be Restored:
80-100 Acres Preserved
Project Summary:
Debris will be removed at four Tampa Bay locations: North Skyway Fishing Pier, Gandy Bridge West Catwalk, Ft. Desoto Gulf Pier and St. Petersburg Municipal Pier.
Ocean Conservancy will coordinate and conduct underwater cleanups focusing on removal of entangling debris, community-based shoreline cleanups of all debris,
and public outreach aimed at prevention. Volunteer divers from the Florida Aquarium will assist at some sites, while commercial divers will be contracted at others. Shallow water/shoreline cleanups and "top-side" pier cleanups will be conducted using commonly employed methods, such as those for Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup. Bimonthly, a shoreline cleanup will be held at one pier site.
To prevent additional entangling debris from entering the marine habitat, we will install fishing line recycling bins as needed and "Pier Walkers."
On-the-Ground Activities:
- Remove at minimum 5,000 pounds of entangling underwater debris from bay and estuarine habitat.
- Conduct bi-monthly community-based coastal cleanups of the shallow-waters, surrounding shorelines, and fishing piers to remove at least 5,000 pounds of debris engaging at least 150 – 200 community volunteers.
- Install at least 15 -20 fishing line recycling bins at sites without adequate bins for regular line disposal to prevent additional line from entering habitat.
Community Involvement:
This project involves citizens and local community partners in
all aspects of its implementation. Project success depends on
strong community participation for the on-going shoreline
cleanups at all the fishing piers. Volunteers with the Florida
Aquarium Dive Team will conduct underwater cleanups at sites
without hazards of tide, depth, or overhang. Volunteers with
kayaks and motor boats will assist with underwater and
shoreline cleanups. Numerous community citizens will learn
about debris and habitat restoration by volunteering with
cleanups, installing fishing line recycling bins, or doing
educational outreach with anglers at fishing piers. Local
seabird sanctuaries, including Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary and
Save our Seabirds, will assist with cleanups and angler
outreach (Pier Walking). Eckerd College students will be
instrumental in the project, by participating in cleanups,
maintaining fishing line recycling bins, and conducting angler
outreach during their duties as volunteer pier walkers.
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