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AND SURVEY SAYS NOAA WORKS WITH FISHERMEN TO PROTECT SEA TURTLES

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For Tim Rahn, fishing called him to the island chain, and he has lived in Lower Matecumbe for over 25 years. While fishing was in his blood, the photography part came a little bit later — and by accident. As a lifelong fisherman, Rahn always had his camera ready to capture the fish he reeled in.Rahn, by his own admission, is an old-school kind of guy and not fond of technology. This is a boon for the collector because his photography uses an old-school technique called silver halide. The process of using silver halide started over 150 years ago and is the best way to capture high-quality photographic detail. Silver halide prints are exposed using light instead of ink, digital files instead of film negatives, and a printer instead of a darkroom. His limited edition finished silver halide artwork is then mounted to acrylic with a French cleat.

For Tim Rahn, fishing called him to the island chain, and he has lived in Lower Matecumbe for over 25 years. While fishing was in his blood, the photography part came a little bit later — and by accident. As a lifelong fisherman, Rahn always had his camera ready to capture the fish he reeled in.Rahn, by his own admission, is an old-school kind of guy and not fond of technology. This is a boon for the collector because his photography uses an old-school technique called silver halide. The process of using silver halide started over 150 years ago and is the best way to capture high-quality photographic detail. Silver halide prints are exposed using light instead of ink, digital files instead of film negatives, and a printer instead of a darkroom. His limited edition finished silver halide artwork is then mounted to acrylic with a French cleat.

Enforcement Officers Step Up Inspections Of Turtle Excluder Devices On Boats

Village Residents Against Development At The Fills

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

If recent survey results are any indication, a thin stretch of islands connecting Upper and Lower Matecumbe Keys in Islamorada — the Fills — could maintain its natural state as nothing more than a road.

Last month, village residents and those who own property in Islamorada were able to fill out a three-question survey to help the village council determine the future of the Fills. The idea for a survey was led by Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney, who was not pleased with the way the previous councils kept shutting down councilman Henry Rosenthal’s push to address problems at the Fills.

Survey questions targeted whether the property, which is owned by the state and leased to the village for maintenance and control, should be developed into something more than its current condition. A total of 1,178 entries were submitted to the village during a 30-day span in April, with 853 entries from village residents and property owners. Some 325 entries weren’t counted, as they were either double votes, had blank responses or were submitted by a person who wasn’t a resident of the village.

Currently, the Fills can accommodate a number of cars from Tea Table Relief to Indian Key Fill, allowing visitors and residents the chance to view the water, capture a sunset and watch a passing boat. Besides trash receptacles, the Fills have no amenities.

According to survey results, 86% of entries from village property owners and residents dissented from the idea of a launching ramp, picnic tables and parklike development on the Fills. And 54% of entries were against the idea of 15-minute, limited parking spaces on both sides of U.S. 1 along the Fills to allow for people to view and snap pictures of the water.

An overwhelming majority, 88%, said they don’t support taxpayer money for improvements and maintenance at the Fills.

It’s not the first time the village conducted a survey to determine the future of the Fills. In February 2022, results from a survey led by consultant CPH Inc., found that 60% of some 344 responses were against any improvements to Indian Key Fill, Tea Table Relief and Lignumvitae Fills. Residents who filled out the survey in 2022 were split on the parking idea. But if parking was provided, 77% believed people should be charged a fee. Roughly 52% said they’re strongly opposed to restroom facilities on the Fills.

Mayhem at the Fills came to a breaking point in June 2019, just after the Memorial Day weekend, when scenes of overfilled Dumpsters and the litter of plastic bags and beer cans caused an uproar among residents and then council members. By 2020, measures were taken to reduce parking space and gain more control at the Fills.

With results in hand, the dais gathered for a special workshop on May 16 at Founders Park Community Center to hear from residents on what they’d like to see happen at the Fills. Visit keysweekly.com for coverage of the workshop.

Just in time for the May 19 Endangered Species Day, NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement worked with federal and state partners to protect turtles in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

The sanctuary is home to five out of seven turtle species (hawksbill, green, loggerhead, leatherback and Kemp’s Ridley) protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, which turns 50 years old this year. From birth to adulthood, turtles face a daunting list of challenges, not the least of which is wide nets cast by commercial fishermen. There is a solution to this threat, and a federal agency is making sure it’s in working order.

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement recently conducted a joint operation aimed at protecting sea turtle species in and around the sanctuary — a key protected area in the Southeastern United States. The operation, TED TALK, brought together partners from NOAA’s Gear Monitoring Team and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to protect sea turtles by enhancing turtle excluder device (TED) inspections aboard fishing vessels.

To kick off the operation, officers participated in a TED-related training led by the gear monitoring team at the newly reopened Florida Keys Eco Discovery Center. After officers completed this training, they conducted a series of patrols and offshore boardings focused on inspecting TEDs and ensuring compliance with federal and state fishing regulations. The five-day operation targeted federal waters in the southern Gulf of Mexico, including the protected Tortugas Shrimp Sanctuary. Partners from the FWC and staff from the gear monitoring team assisted in the patrols and boardings.

During the operation, numerous vessels were boarded, with the majority found to be in compliance with TED requirements, or with minor infractions that were resolved through compliance assistance. In a few cases, TED and fishing violations were more severe and formal investigations were opened.

A TED is a grid of bars with an opening either at the top or the bottom of a trawl net. The grid is fitted into the neck of a shrimp trawl. Small animals such as shrimp pass through the bars and are caught in the bag end of the trawl. When larger animals, such as sea turtles and sharks, are captured in the trawl, they strike the grid bars and are ejected through the opening.

Through the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, a system of 15 national marine sanctuaries and two marine national monuments has been developed that seeks to protect America’s most iconic natural and cultural marine resources. Protected within these are important habitats like breeding and feeding grounds, coral reefs, kelp forests, and important artifacts.

“It is our job to enforce the rules and regulations designed to conserve these marine protected areas and the species that inhabit them,” said Manny Antonaras, assistant director of NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, Southeast Division. “By working with partner enforcement agencies we promote responsible and sustainable ocean use that helps preserve these special places for future generations.”

To report suspected violations of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, call NOAA’s Law Enforcement Hotline, available 24/7 at 800-853-1964.

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Upper Keys Weekly 23-0518