Restoring seagrass and high-density clam sites while creating avenues for commercial fishing communities to become more involved with environmental restoration.
Problem
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor are currently at risk of rapid declines in seagrass and wild clam populations.
Restoring clam populations and seagrass meadows will result in improved water quality and healthier habitats for commercial and recreational fisheries – and people, too!
Millions of visitors spend billions of dollars every year to experience the splendor of our pristine, nationally recognized estuaries.
The health of these habitats is critical not only for the ecosystem services they provide, but for the economic impact that results from Florida’s tourism.
Fishing, tourism, and recreation on Florida’s Gulf Coast supports 304,000 jobs and a $17.5 billion economy. This Gulf Coast Restoration Initiative & All Clams on Deck program will support ecosystem sustainability and resilience. Restoring clam populations and seagrass meadows will result in improved water quality, reduced algal blooms and healthier habitats for commercial and recreational fisheries in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries, which in turn will support a healthy economy. Please join us in our quest to pursue multiple biological mitigation strategies to address nutrient loading in our coastal estuaries.
