tampa bay

Redfish are big, brawny fighters and key contributors to Florida’s $13.8 billion recreational fishing industry. But redfish have a weak spot: They faithfully return to the same waters each year to spawn. This past fall, Hurricane Ian and red tide hit West Central Florida at a critical spawning time, delivering a one-two punch to a fish that is back in the conservation spotlight.

A report Friday from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows researchers found a bloom about 11 miles west of Bunces Pass, which runs between Fort DeSoto and Shell Key.

Before Hurricane Ian struck, scientists were monitoring water from the mouth of Tampa Bay near Manatee River, all the way up to Cockroach Bay, on the southeastern shore of Hillsborough County for possible effects of a Piney Point stormwater release.

Hundreds of Florida waters are considered “impaired” for fish consumption. As a result the Florida Department of Health advises that most fish caught in the state’s waters shouldn’t be eaten more than twice a week. But that message does not always get through to subsistence fishers.

After decades of pollution suffocated Tampa Bay and killed half its seagrass and much of its marine life, unprecedented political cooperation and hundreds of science-guided projects brought the estuary back to life. Tampa Bay became a symbol for the success of the Clean Water Act of 1972, but seagrasses and fish have begun to die again.

Officials say the water has accumulated during the rainy season and is not contaminated, but environmental groups are not convinced the discharge won't impact the health of the bay.

The 156 oysters were sampled from Biscayne Bay — which showed the highest number — along with Tampa Bay and Marco Island.

Leaders from a number of counties around the greater Tampa Bay region talked about issues such as wastewater management and making utilities stronger.

It hopes to help spread awareness about the housing affordability crisis with the dashboard, which will be updated regularly.

Tourism revenue is up 7% more than before the pandemic.

Personnel shortages aren’t just in the classroom this school year — they’re seen before and after the bell rings too.

Jill Biden is scheduled to be at the Tampa Bay Lightning's AdventHealth Shots on Ice event at Amalie Arena, one of two Florida visits on Thursday. She'll also be in Kissimmee.