FLORIDA’S RIGHT TO CLEAN WATER PETITION

BY BEN MARTIN, Editor in Chief Coastal Angler andThe Angler Magazine

If you’re like many of the readers and groups that I’ve spoken with regarding the water quality in the Indian River Lagoon, you’re probably frustrated with the actual progress that’s being made on cleaning up our once wonderful estuary. Scientists, politicians and government agencies will all tell you that “good progress” is being made and that all we need is more money allocated and more scientific studies conducted. “We’re working on it, Boss” seems to sum up most inquiry responses.

As citizens we lack the power to DEMAND that something gets done. It’s just that simple. We’re powerless. But we can change that. The Florida Right To Clean Water Petition aims to mandate that our legislators, government agencies and associated funding and regulatory agencies place clean water at the very top of their agendas and take immediate action to provide

Floridians with the inalienable right to clean water.

The Florida Right to Clean Water Petition needs 900,000 signatures before November of this year to get on the ballot for 2024. Most experts agree that once placed on the ballot that this measure would be supported by a bipartisan effort and would easily pass into law.

Now that’s power, and that’s what’s needed. Please sign this petition. Please help spread the word about this petition. Please get involved.

THERE’S NO TIME TO WASTE!

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT INITIATIVE PETITION FORM – VOLUNTEER

Amendment Information

Ballot Title:

Ballot Summary:

Right to Clean and Healthy Waters

This amendment creates a fundamental right to clean and healthy waters. The amendment may be used to sue State executive agencies for harm or threatened harm to Florida’s waters, which include aquatic ecosystems. This amendment defines terms, identifies affected constitutional provisions in Article IV governing the executive branch, provides for civil action enforcement, allows attorney’s and expert witness fees to prevailing plaintiffs, and provides equitable remedies including restoration of waters.

See separate document for the full text of the proposed constitutional amendment.

04/22/2022

2202 Date Approved Serial Number

Sponsor's Information (Return all completed petition forms to the address below.)

Name:

Address:

FloridaRighttoCleanWater.org

13300 South Cleveland Avenue Suite 56 Fort Myers, FL 33907

Voter's Information

I am a registered voter of Florida and hereby petition the Secretary of State to place the above proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution on the ballot in the general election.

Address Zip County Update my voter registration record to this address. (check box)

Petition Circulator's Information

This Petition form is only to be collected by a volunteer or directly by the voter him or herself.

A paid petition circulator must use the DS-DE 155B version of the form. Forms for paid petition circulators can be obtained from the Division's Paid Petition Circulator website. Visit https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/InitiativePetitions/ for more information.

or Attention

• This form becomes a public record once filed with the Supervisor of Elections.

• It is a first degree misdemeanor to knowingly sign the same petition more than once. [§104.185, F.S.]

• An improperly completed form will not be validated.

DS-DE 155A (10-2021)

R1S-2.009, Fla. Admin. Code

LEARN TO SURF FISH!

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Giants In July! Space Coast surf fishing in the heat of the summer isn’t for everyone. But for those that do embrace the summer sunshine, July holds the reputation for giants on the beach. Big fish in the way of snook, tarpon and sharks will be on hand for surf fishing throughout July.

But that’s not all that will be available these next few weeks. Look for residential pompano to be found when conditions present themselves as the seaweed settles and the water clarity improves; that will kickstart the pompano fishing in the areas with clean water, runouts and troughs. Use Chartreuse and orange float pompano rigs with Fishbites and fresh tipped bait for success.

Not to mention the croakers, which will be in full force as the typical summer ensues. Atlantic croakers make good table fare for those who like to pan sear fish. In addition making a good meal, croakers can be repurposed as live bait for predatory species. Big snook love croakers fished in the first and second trough. Furthermore, tarpon are a willing candidate for these snack-sized love baits. A simple split shot or free lining croakers can result in trophy fish during the summertime.

Knowing the weather heats up quickly means you should prepare accordingly. Get out early and home early. First light and last light along with tide changes are the best windows of time to fish.

Remember, you can always throw lures with great results as well. Head out to the beach for an hour or two with nothing more than a casting rod and a few lures. Light and mobile is the name of the game! Make sure to cover territory until you find the pockets of life you’re searching for. Diving birds, crashing fish and pogies will be the top clues depicting these areas. Keep moving and casting without hesitation until you position yourself in these lively pockets.

Baitfish means predatory fish, which equals high shark activity as well. Be prepared to have some of your catches grabbed up by the taxman in the gray suit. Heavy drag and proper leaders will ensure you’re not wasting time and increasing the likelihood of losing your catch. Knowing this if you’re in the game of targeting sharks June and July makes a good opportunity. Croakers, mullet and cut bait are the recommended choices for shark fishing anglers.

In summary, we’ll continue to fish through the seaweed-plagued beaches, but will be dreaming of better conditions on the horizon with the confidence and understanding that the fish will be there. A few weeks of calm waters should get the water cleaned up and ready for the top month of big snook beach fishing. Until then there are opportunities available, but it’s been challenging conditions to say the least.

Good luck and enjoy the world class surf fishing on the Space Coast!

THURSDAY AUGUST 10TH

Captain's Party at 6pm at Sebastian Saltwater Marina

FRIDAY AUGUST 11TH

Lines in at 9pm

SATURDAY AUGUST 12TH

Lines out at 9pm

SUNDAY AUGUST 13TH

Weigh-in: Sebastian Saltwater Marina from 11am-3pm

Awards: Following Weigh-in

Weigh In with Puppies: H.A.L.O will be at Saltwater Marina with their adoptable pets

REGISTER AT SWORDFISHSHOOTOUT.NET AND STRIKE ZONE OF MELBOURNE