Originally published on Fox 4 by Andrew Shipley on May 22, 2025
Joe Cavanaugh, recently retired from NOAA, where he worked with Smalltooth Sawfish.
There is a new voice for Southwest Florida’s waters, as Calusa Waterkeeper has announced their new waterkeeper.
METEOROLOGIST ANDREW SHIPLEY GOT AN EXCLUSIVE FIRST INTERVIEW WITH THE WATERKEEPER, JOE CAVANAUGH, AND HEARD HIS VISION FOR THE CALOOSAHATCHEE.
“Very excited to bring my career back toward local and regional resource management,” said Cavanaugh.
Cavanaugh is coming to Calusa Waterkeeper after decades of experience in marine science and water quality monitoring including the last 15 years at NOAA, monitoring and protecting Smalltooth Sawfish habitat. The same animal that is featured in the organization’s logo.
“Probably the Caloosahatchee River has over 50% of the reproductive output for the species.”
But after taking an early retirement from NOAA, Cavanaugh says joining Calusa Waterkeeper couldn’t have come at a better time.
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