Last month we reported that START’s  Chairman, Sandy Gilbert, was one of several keynote speakers at a press conference held in Sarasota to protest legislation aimed at weakening fertilizer restrictions.  We are pleased to announce the legislation was defeated by a majority of senators on the Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee.  This was due in [...]

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) is a common form of seafood poisoning, affecting tens of thousands of people worldwide.  Potentially at risk are people who consume reef dwelling fish such as black grouper, amberjack, snapper, barracuda, hogfish and triggerfish. One of the reasons so many are afflicted with CFP is that there are no simple screening methods, [...]

The Fish & Wildlife Research Institute reports the following data done with water samples collected on February 17, 2012. Southwest Region: Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not detected in water samples collected this week alongshore of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Collier counties or alongshore and offshore of northern Monroe County. [...]

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled on February 18, 2012, in Tallahassee that specific limits on sewage, manure and fertilizer contamination in state waters must take effect March 6, 2012. These pollutants feed algae blooms on lakes and streams.  The bloom can cause health problems in humans and wildlife. The Judge’s ruling upholds limits set [...]