Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Florida Officials Urged to Set Standards to Protect People, Wildlife From Harmful Algae Blooms
Calusa Waterkeeper, The Center for Biological Diversity and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation are calling on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to establish legal limits for cyanotoxins that pose severe health risks to people and wildlife.
Environmentalist Faces 4.3 Million Dollar Fine for Her Advocacy Efforts
Back in September Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal upheld a 2018 ruling against an environmental activist who lives in Stuart which found that she interfered in a contract between Martin County and the owners of a rock quarry called Lake Point Restoration.
Personhood for the Caloosahatchee would give the River Legal Standing and a New Hope
Concerned citizens and non-profits like Calusa Waterkeeper are jump-starting a campaign that could grant the Caloosahatchee River its own bill of rights as early as November 2020. However, getting this measure on the ballot in under a year is no easy task.
Dead Goliath Grouper Found on the Beach in Naples
Calusa Waterkeeper posted pictures to their Facebook page showing a dead goliath grouper on Naples Beach, south of the Naples Pier. The post says the fish likely died from red tide, and because of its age, it means the grouper survived last year’s red tide, only to be killed this year.
Dead Sea Life, Red Drift Algae Piled up on Fort Myers Beach
Beachgoers felt the effects of water quality issues along some SWFL beaches. John Cassani, ecologist and founder of Calusa Waterkeeper, says red tide continues to cause fish kills along Fort Myers Beach, while the beach is also lined with piles of what appears to be red drift algae.
Battle Over Water and Public Health Returns to Florida Lawmakers
After the last prolonged outbreak of red tide and blue-green algae, it seemed every politician vowed to “do something.” The spin from the last session was that the Florida Legislature produced “the most Everglades-friendly budget in Florida history.”
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 9
On Episode 9 of Words from the Waterkeeper, John is joined by volunteer ranger and avid angler Don Lees for a Pine Island Sound fishing report. John addresses the red tide reports in Collier County and shares upcoming dates for Troubled Water documentary screenings in Naples.
Army Corps Releasing Lake Okeechobee Water to Help Caloosahatchee Estuary During Dry Times
The U.S. ACOE is releasing Lake Okeechobee water to the Caloosahatchee River again, but these discharges are expected to help the river and estuary. An extremely dry September caused SWFL to end up several inches below normal for precipitation. The dry spell caused the Army Corps to start releases.
High Levels of Fecal Bacteria on Pine Island Beach
A new report was released about a popular beach spot on Pine Island contains high levels of fecal bacteria. The levels are so high, it’s almost nine times the health department’s threshold for closing a beach. Calusa Waterkeepers said this can be dangerous and raises some health concerns.
Is There Water Contamination in Florida? Public Has the Right to Know
The growing but little-known water quality and public health problem that won’t seem to go away is that fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) contamination has become widespread in Florida and even in some of the state’s most iconic waterways. Contamination levels present a significant public health risk.
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 8
In Episode 8 of Words from the Waterkeeper, John is joined on the beach by water ranger Bradley Quandt for a SWFL fishing report on spawning snook and the resurgence of baitfish populations. John also provides the latest water readings on background levels of red tide offshore.
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 7
In Episode 7 of Words from the Waterkeeper, John Cassani is joined by long-time Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger Jason Pim as they discuss the Four Mile Cove in Cape Coral. John provides updates on the microcystis bloom in Lake Okeechobee and red tide forecasts.