Helping Our Coast

Excerpt from Discovering Florida’s Coast: From the Emerald Northwest to Miami’s Biscayne Jewel and Beyond, a new book by Doug Alderson

Helping Our Coast

 “Coastal fortification without development policy changes will simply encourage even more construction in vulnerable coastal zones, creating even more future stranded assets. What is really needed is for Florida to adopt the full range of transformations in energy and development, changes that will not only slow climate change but will also yield benefits to water quality, wildlife, and quality of life.”

John C. Capece, Ph.D., Kissimmee Waterkeeper, Florida Climate Reporting Network, 10/8/21

 “Florida has more than 1,260 miles of coastline—more coastline than any other state in the continental United States. Given our vulnerability to hurricanes and flooding, where’s the most dangerous place to live? The coast. Yet where do most of us live? The coast. And where’s the one place you can get taxpayer-subsidized flood insurance? The coast.”

Craig Pittman, Oh, Florida!

 “I’m optimistic. I think we can pass from conquerors to stewards.”

E.O. Wilson, 2012

The thrill of seeing a sea turtle or dolphin break a placid surface, a diving osprey or pelican, the rare breach of a whale or manta ray or school of flying fish. It might be breathtaking sunrises and sunsets that cast lavender colors across water and sand, bathing all in its path. Perhaps it is the feel of warm sand on feet and body and the steady, soothing mantra of breaking waves. It might be the thrill of hooking a tarpon or other fighting fish or gathering scallops across the sea floor that hearkens back to a hunter-gatherer era.

It is usually a special moment that begins a relationship with Florida’s coast, one that can grow over a lifetime. And as with any close relationship, we can become concerned when something is amiss. It might be coastal development, harmful algal blooms, a die-off of marine life or rising sea levels. So, what can we do?

To make a difference in protecting Florida’s coast, concerted efforts must be made from all facets of society. Coastal threats impact not only marine life, but a huge portion of our tourist-oriented economy. So, concerned citizens can enlist the support of businesses, chambers of commerce, tourist development councils, and civic groups. No one wants to see pollution or flooded communities, but addressing the root cause of problems takes political will, funding and scientific-based guidance. Politicians will only lead if the people compel them to lead.

One thing that brings people together are coastal cleanups, cleaning up those natural areas we love. And they are important. Trash such as styrofoam and plastics never go away; they only get smaller and smaller and can be ingested by birds, turtles and marine mammals, acting like plankton floating in our waterways. These particles cannot be digested and can eventually cause death. And some coastal cleanups, known as ghost trap rodeos coordinated by Ocean Aid 360, involve removing abandoned and lost crab traps that can continue to entrap marine life.

Clean-ups can be done solo, but there is something special about working with others for a common good and the satisfaction of stepping back afterwards and scanning eyes over a trash-free waterfront view. As one clean-up participant observed, “Who knew garbage pickup could be so fun!”

There are several other ways you can help our oceans and coast:

· Use environmentally friendly cleaning, household and lawn products. Chemicals that go down our drains and toilets, or are spread on our lawns, can end up in waterways and can eventually flow into the oceans.

· Consider the source of products that come from the oceans, such as seafood, aquarium fish, coral and shells. How were these products harvested? Do the countries of origin have management plans that ensure the long-term conservation of the species?

· Buy organic foods because organic farmers do not use pesticides and chemical fertilizers that can pollute waterways and oceans.

· Promote energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy that can reduce the harmful effects of global warming on phytoplankton, coral reefs and other marine environments.

· Phase out offshore oil drilling. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon Spill of 4.9 million barrels of oil was the worst man-made disaster in Gulf Coast history. The long-term effects of the spill on marine life are still being measured.

· Reduce, Reuse and recycle products, especially plastics, to eliminate litter that might end up in the oceans, and participate in coastal cleanups.

· Do not support cruise lines that dump waste of any kind into the oceans.

· Support aquariums and other facilities that rescue injured marine life and shore birds and help to rehabilitate them.

· Follow steps during turtle nesting season such as turning off or shading all lights visible from the beach and puling all furniture away from the beach at night.  

· Support marine conservation organizations and learn about ways you can help our oceans through contributions and volunteer work.

· Promote sensible building restrictions in hurricane prone areas along with the protection of ecologically rich coastal properties.

· Volunteer to replant sea oats on dunes, monitor sea turtle nests, and do other worthwhile projects.

In working to protect our coast and marine life, there are occasional moments to celebrate when things can initially look dire. In October of 2021, during a severe red tide outbreak on St. George Island, Franklin County Sherriff’s deputies picked up a lethargic and severely dehydrated adult loggerhead sea turtle and brought it to Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea. Turtles absorb the red tide neurotoxins through their skin and by eating infected organisms and can essentially become paralyzed. The attending staff and volunteer vet at the marine lab had little hope the female loggerhead would make it through the night. “As we picked her up, she went completely limp,” said lab manager Cypress Rudloe. “So, she had no movement in her flippers. She couldn’t keep her head up.” But after gallons of IV fluids, the turtle began to show signs of recovery. The staff named her Hope and her plight captured the hearts of many.

After months of feeding, resting and swimming in one of the aquarium’s large tanks, Hope was ready to be returned to the ocean. On a cool January afternoon, hundreds of people of all ages gathered on the St. George Island beach—sans red tide—for Hope’s release. The 150-pound turtle was carried to the shore in a sling by members of the Gulf Specimen staff and the sheriff’s deputies who had rescued her. Cameras and cell phones were held high as Hope was laid on the sand. She did not hesitate! Hope began to vigorously crawl towards the water, shepherded by Gulf Specimen co-founder Jack Rudloe in his blue suit he traditionally wears for turtle releases. Cheers erupted as she entered the surf and slowly disappeared beneath the waves, free again to roam the seas. It was a festive event and, rightfully, one filled with hope since so many people obviously cared about Hope’s recovery. It illustrated how Florida’s coast—and its creatures—was larger than any one person or any one generation. It spans all of Florida’s human evolution, and it is dynamic and changing.

Much has been destroyed or altered, but some places have been carefully protected and even restored, and some sea creatures such as sea turtles are actually gaining in numbers, leading the way for how it can be done elsewhere. It is up to us to help protect and maintain what makes our coast special.