Tampa Bay's seagrass destruction by boaters is inexcusable and irresponsible. There are two thoughts about stopping this destruction. The majority side says do nothing and leave the responsibility for changing boater behavior to law enforcement. The other side says take action with a management plan that's positive and meaningful. Cost associated with enforcement in today's financial climate is a "pie in the sky attitude," not reality. To those guides and sport fishermen who support enforcement over management, policies stopping outboard destruction of seagrasses amounts to saying, "We care little about the bay's underwater habitat, the nurseries for juvenile fish." ...more

February 4, 2009

A few longtime residents remember picking and cutting into this city's juicy namesake, the temple orange, back when the fruit was as common as sunshine. ...more

October 15, 2008

For many inshore anglers, the first bite of the New Year Tuesday morning will be a southern spotted seatrout. The season on trout re-opens on Jan. 1 after a two-month closure in the southern half of the state, and plenty of trout-hungry fishermen will be seeking a few fillets. ...more

December 29, 2007

The state is trying to persuade growers to enroll in a voluntary program to reduce pollution into area waterways. The figures below show that the state still has a ways to go in signing up a majority of the growers. ...more

November 18, 2007

A nursery growers group is pushing legislation that would tie the hands of Hillsborough County environmental officials in their efforts to protect wetlands on agricultural property. ...more

November 3, 2007

Fall is coming, and most of us have neglected our yards a bit through summer. Whether you can't wait to get back out there and work or dread it, here is a way to make it easier. ...more

September 1, 2007