Citizen Science: The BFA

article by BARBARA ALBRECHT, BFA PRESIDENT

History

The Bream Fishermen Association (BFA) is a highly respected citizen science organization which has advocated for environmental stewardship for over 50 years. Loosely organized in the mid1960s by locals who were concerned about the deterioration of regional water quality, the BFA was officially chartered as a non-profit organization in January 1970. That same year, the United States Environmental Protection Agency was created as an outgrowth of the burgeoning environmental movement. The BFA was led for 40+ years by Charles A. Lowery, a Colonel in the Army National Guard Signal Corps. BFA founding members traveled to Tallahassee to inform the governor and elected officials that 200 miles to the west, the bays and bayous were dying. They reported fish kills in Escambia Bay which covered square miles. These efforts contributed to the establishment of the Department of Pollution Prevention in the early 1970s. That department eventually morphed into the Department of Environmental Regulation (DER), and is now the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Working with the state environmental agency, the BFA developed a scientific program of water quality monitoring. The members of the BFA understood the importance of scientific methodology in water sampling and the need for quality data and proper collection techniques, so data could be used to identify environmental trends during the 1970s and 80s. At that time, the BFA water sampling program included 93 quarterly stations sampled every three months for 18 parameters. This remarkable program was conducted by volunteers. BFA water quality monitoring continues despite a break during the pandemic, although the number of sites sampled and conditions monitored have been reduced. Over 50 years of water quality data generated by BFA volunteers is available to everyone on a STORET website. BFA data provides information on status or “baseline” conditions which is instrumental in protecting our area's natural resources by allowing deviations to be recognized and addressed.

The BFA has a long-standing presence in the East Hill neighborhood. The BFA became guardians of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Boy Scout Administration building in Miraflores Park (1615 East LaRua St) in the early 1970s when the building had fallen to ruin. The BFA effected critical repairs, held meetings there, and shared the space with other groups including the Fly Fishers of NW Florida and the Speckled Trout Club. In 2019, Mayor Robinson and Mary Gutierrez of Earth Ethics succeeded in listing the “BFA building” on the National Register for Historic Buildings which may provide funding and facilitate restoration.

Current Concerns

Today, more than 50 years after the US Congress enacted the Clean Water Act, our nation's waters are in much better condition than when BFA was founded. Progress has been made in regulating industrial discharges and more is possible.

Stewardship of natural resources and awareness of how we all can make a difference is more important than ever to address current issues. No longer do we experience fish kills covering acres or miles or unregulated pollutants entering our rivers and estuaries; instead, threats to water quality come from stormwater runoff, sedimentation, unsustainable development, and habitat fragmentation and alteration.

Everyone can help, whether we plant native vegetation (which requires less water), limit use of chemicals on our yards, or maintain our vehicles to avoid contaminants like brake fluids entering natural waters from precipitation washing off roads and other impervious surfaces. Awareness is key to understanding how little things we do make a big difference.

Projects and Partnerships

In 2016-17, the BFA was awarded a grant from Patagonia Action Works to study sedimentation and runoff from an FDOT Interstate Expansion Project (I-10 from Escambia Bay to Avalon Blvd) into Indian Bayou in Santa Rosa County.

Then in 2018, BFA was invited to partner with the newly established Pensacola Bay Oyster Farm for Project Oyster Pensacola (POP). We invited the public and interested waterfront owners to allow us to place 75 baby oysters in cages and hang them off their docks in various areas of the Pensacola Bay system. We assembled a team of students and volunteers who helped us monitor oyster survival, growth, weight, and recruitment, over an 18-month period. We hope to repeat this citizen research project, and the full report is available on BFA’s website.

In 2020, City of Pensacola Councilwoman Ann Hill inquired about the overall water quality condition at Bruce Beach in downtown Pensacola. Was it safe for recreation, to support the City of Pensacola’s Revitalization Plan? In partnership with University of West Florida’s (UWF) Center for Environmental Diagnostics & Bioremediation, BFA collected water samples weekly from three sites at Bruce Beach for over a year. We found high bacteria loads entering Washerwoman Creek during rain events, and expanded the project scope and received funding to sample stormwater drains in the area over 13 weeks (PNJ Aug 1 article-sewage pollution at Bruce Beach). Results of this study highlight a common issue with older communities, namely aged infrastructure. Areas for further investigation were identified, and results also indicate groundwater infiltration appears to be the conveyance into stormwater, which implies that sewage is leaking into the high groundwater table. For the full report, visit the BFA website at the link below.

The BFA is partnering with the newly established Pensacola & Perdido Bay Estuary Program (PPBEP) by providing historic water quality data and along with the UWF, sampling upper reaches of streams in these watersheds to fill in data gaps. The BFA has shared

goals and is committed to working with the PPBEP which has released its Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for public review (ppbep.org).

The BFA and the Satori Foundation applied for and won an Impact 100 Grant in 2021. The grant will be used to purchase a large van for the BFA to be utilized as a mobile water quality lab, and a boat and virtual reality headsets for Satori. Together, BFA and Satori will bring the coast to the kids who live in rural communities in upper Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. In partnership with the school boards of these counties and the principals and various science teachers, we will highlight the connection of our upper watersheds to our creeks, rivers, bays and bayous by visiting elementary and middle schools, and then inviting these same kids to visit the coast and learn about the lower watersheds.

Poised for the Future

I accepted the position of BFA President in 2010, in part because the Board Members had taken such an interest in educating me about our beautiful northwest Florida estuaries, bays and creeks, and the importance of stewardship in the entire watershed. The BFA founders’ commitment remains strong as our vision expands to meet the challenges of our times. Natural areas draw people to live here and enjoy outdoor recreation, our beaches and local waters have something for everyone to enjoy and are part of our culture. The BFA supports education to promote awareness of sustainable development – we can develop the community while maintaining a healthy natural environment which is the basis for our own health and well-being.

Please visit the BFA website at to learn more about its history, projects, and mission: breamfishermen.org