As state investigators seek more evidence from the public about a growing number of videos that showcase abuse of sharks, legislation may be filed that seeks to better define state wildlife laws.
Besides the toll taken on the humans of Florida, Tropical Storm Colin claimed what may be hundreds of sea turtle nests buried beneath the sands along the state’s Gulf Coast, wildlife advocates say. “There was damage,” said Joe Widlansky, sea turtle biologist with Sea Turtle Trackers, a group in Pinellas County that monitors the marine reptiles and their nesting habits in the region. The nesting season just started last month, he said, and about 14 nests have been identified and…
With much of the nation embroiled in the 2016 presidential campaign, it’s almost understandable that some things in Florida have escaped widespread notice. For those of paying attention, however, they have no doubt been aware of the release of excess water from Lake Okeechobee, a result of historically high El Niño rainfall in South Florida. Unsurprisingly, environmentalists have been vocal in opposition. But this time, the rhetoric may be getting out of hand. The Army Corps of Engineers’ release, as…
Today on Context Florida: A less-than-Special Session cost citizens nearly 700 grand, Rick Scott’s legal bills are now north of $1.5 million, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has issued more bear hunting permits than there are bears, and there is a big storm aiming for the Gulf of Mexico. Diane Roberts says that in Florida, government dysfunction is the house style. Florida depends on safe, efficient transportation to accommodate a growing population and about 100 million tourists who flock here…
On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced three appointments and four reappointments to a variety of state regulatory boards. Santa Fe College District Board of Trustees Scott announced three reappointments to the Santa Fe College District Board of Trustees, which serves the residents of Alachua-Bradford County. Robert Hudson, 73, of Gainesville, is a retired health care executive. Previously, he was president and chief executive officer of Santa Fe Healthcare from 2000 to 2006. He was on the Florida Chamber of Commerce…
Regulations and harvest areas have been set for the Florida Gulf Coast’s June 27 to Sept. 24 bay scallop season. Two gallons of whole bay scallops in their shell, or one pint of bay scallop meat per person is permitted for harvesting throughout the Gulf Coast’s four open harvest zones: St. Joseph Bay, St. Marks, Steinhatchee, and Homosassa. Collectively, these four harvest zones connect and run up from the Pasco-Hernando County line, just north of Tampa, to the west bank…
Fireworks and Florida’s beach wildlife just doesn’t mix. Independence Day is this Saturday, and the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) asks the public to protect beach-nesting shorebirds statewide by being careful with celebratory fireworks and to avoid using personal pyrotechnics at the beach. Shorebirds are nesting on beaches along Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts; many birds are still watching over flightless chicks during the Independence Day weekend, which is expected to be busy with beach-goers. Birds such as snowy…
