Dangers to our coastal waters are already here, with the pressure of Gulf fish farms, aided by Mote Marine Lab of Sarasota.
In Florida anywhere there may be a money-making opportunity, the environment is regarded as expendable by our dysfunctional protection agencies.
ManaSota-88 writes the following comments.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
MARINE MINERALS AND STATE INTERESTS
Billions of acres of submerged land off the nation’s coast are thought to contain large reserves of cobalt, manganese and other minerals considered critical to our national interests.
Ocean areas and resources offer a wide range of uses to both the state and nation. The maritime industry relies on safe shipping channels. Commercial and recreational fishing industries are dependent on productive marine habitats, including coastal reefs, seagrass beds and artificial reefs. Universities and other institutions need a natural marine environment for their research and to provide educational and economic opportunities now and in the future. Oil, gas, sand, gravel, phosphate, and heavy mineral reserves all elicit industry interest.
Nearshore and coastal impacts from these activities can affect estuaries, land uses, local services, and economies. Land-based support facilities, whether for fisheries, petroleum, or other offshore development, directly affect local land uses and the level of local service requirements. The impacts of ocean resource development are an inherent part of the problem of multiple- use on the coast.
Florida’s coastline is often recognized as our state’s most important asset. Yet, just beyond the sandy beaches lies an ocean resource area potentially of equal or greater importance to the state. The submerged offshore lands extend 3 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and 10.36 miles into the Gulf of Mexico.
Waters off Florida are thought to contain phosphate, cobalt, manganese, and high-quality sand. It is impossible to mine for marine minerals without causing serious environmental damage from major pollutants. Existing Federal regulations do not address these potential problems. They are designed primarily for oil, gas and sulphur and are considered inappropriate for use with other minerals.
However, based on Florida’s experience with the Federal oil and gas lease program, ManaSota-88 finds no reason to believe the current regulations will protect our economic and environmental welfare.
Given existing and future federal pressures affecting state interests, adequate protection of Florida’s environment requires new legislation.
The Eastern Gulf of Mexico is an area of high environmental sensitivity and marine productivity. The region supports numerous species of wildlife, major commercial and recreational fisheries and several species of endangered reptiles, mammals, and birds. The beaches that line the Gulf Coast are extremely important to coast- related tourism and to the joy that is associated with exploring the coast.
The Southern Gulf coast of Florida is one of the nation’s coastal treasures, encompassing Everglades National Park, the Florida Keys, two national marine sanctuaries, two national wildlife sanctuaries, a national natural landmark, two national wilderness areas and an aquatic preserve.
One of the many unique features of Florida’s West Coast is the nature and extent of live bottom. The National Marine Fisheries Service has estimated that 25% to 38% of the Southwest Florida shelf is covered with live bottom. Near the Florida Keys, it is nearly a blanket.
In deeper water, species richness tends to be high, but density appears not to be so great as in shallow water.
To prevent serious damage to these vital offshore and coastal resources, we must learn more about the effects of offshore mining techniques as well as onshore impacts.
The Florida Oceans and Coastal Council was created by the 2005 Legislature and is charged with developing priorities for ocean and coastal research and establishing a statewide ocean research plan. Yet, Florida has no comprehensive policy for ocean resource use. Competing demands and conflicting governmental jurisdictions are complex and confusing. Mitigating the negative impacts of offshore use on estuaries and shores, while reaping the benefit, grows increasingly difficult without a comprehensive State Ocean Policy. This Policy must be based on sound environmental research. Urgent action is needed if we are going to help heal and save our marine resources.
