A Redfish’s ability to swim while locating microscopic prey at the bottom of a camouflaged sea floor with such speed and precision is something I could watch all day. Incredible footage @phild_hughes got from our trip last week. #flytidecharters #tampabaywaterkeeper #seewhatsoutthere #costadelmar #orvisflyfishing #flyfishing #scientificanglers #marshwear #turtlebox #tampabay #fyp #fishing #hellsbayboatworks
New legislation targeting dredging near aquatic preserves created a significant obstacle for developers, but the land next to the preserve is still privately owned and remains in play. Beyond the environmental concerns, the bigger question is whether the area could realistically handle the infrastructure demands of thousands of cruise passengers moving in and out near the Skyway.
@captdustinpack joins the conversation to break down the latest developments surrounding the proposed cruise port and the broader debate over growth, infrastructure, and conservation in Tampa Bay.
Episode 184 of The TBD Podcast is available on all major podcast platforms.
February has been a whirlwind. Weather all over the place, fish scattered here, there, but not over there. Our @tampabaywaterkeeper Waterman tournament last weekend was a huge success. Huge thank you to all the sponsors and anglers especially @costasunglasses for always sponsoring the team of myself and the homie @tree.vor . Tampa Bay is a special place and it takes every one of us to keep it that way. The Cruise Port plan took a giant hit, but we’re still not done fighting against that “Clown Proposal”. Looking forward to the rest of 2026 and hopefully these are the last mornings we see temperatures in the 40’s lol.
@orvisflyfishing@marshwearclothing@hellsbayboatworks@scientificanglers
#flytidecharters #tampabaywaterkeeper #seewhatsoutthere #flyfishing #orvisflyfishing
Mark with a good one during the warm up. Tampa Bay was fortunate not to see any or a very small amount of dead fish due to the cold weather a few weeks ago. Big thanks to the sun for shining during those colder days. Water is now back up to 70+ degrees and everyone is happy about it. #flytidecharters #tampabaywaterkeeper #seewhatsoutthere #orvisflyfishing #flyfishing
If you haven’t heard, there is a proposal to build a massive cruise ship port right on top of the Terra Ceia AQUATIC PRESERVE. This proposal is estimated to destroy roughly 330 acres of Mangrove Habitat. @tampabayestuaryprogram just released their annual Tampa Bay Habitat Report Card. There is a ton of great information in there that the team at TBEP works very hard to put together, I encourage everyone to read all of it. In that report, they have certain stated goals for the Tampa Bay Watershed. One of those goals is Mangrove Habitat acreage, a goal for 2030 and a goal for 2050. The goal for 2030 is above 15,300 acres (see slide 2). Tampa Bay currently sits at 15,438 acres. This mega cruise ship proposal is so big it would put us behind the 2030 goal by 162 acres! The 5th largest open water estuary in the country would be set back from an obtainable goal by 1 company looking to profit off its destruction. We are still early in this fight, meeting dates/times have not been set, I know a lot of you want to get involved (thank you all) and you will be. Once those meetings are set we will share them and let you know the best course of action to help fight against this proposal. As for now, vocal opposition is the best way you can help. Share posts, talk to your friends and family, get educated on the situation, this is a marathon not a sprint. I encourage all of you to sign the petition we have in the @tampabaywaterkeeper page bio. I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it, we have to fight this like we fought against last years proposal to turn our Florida State Parks into resorts and golf courses. Although a lot of times it doesn’t feel like it, we do have a voice and if enough of us use them, the better the outcome will be. #saveterraceiaaquaticpreserve 📸 @drew_mcdougall
🚨Cruise Port Update🚨 - After the proposed cruise ship port, there has been a great deal of support against it, those voices are greatly appreciated and are making an impact. We need to keep this momentum going.
So far, two legislators have spoken out against the port, stating "their opposition to the port is firm."
Those in favor of the port have stated that "preservation is going to happen thanks to SSA Marine (the developer)." This clearly makes no sense as this area should already be protected, and has protected habitat adjacent to it.
Marine wildlife, seagrass, water quality, and so many other environmental factors and organisms don't see or adhere to our property lines. They simply try to occupy the best available space they can, using what's available to them.
Most importantly, you should know that this isn't the time to lose hope, but rather a time to build upon an already rising voice. This is a time to use the tools around us to let our voices be heard. Keep it up, and #KeepFLWild.
Link to sign your name is in the bio.
In just the few hours we spent around the proposed cruise port site this weekend, we saw a habitat bursting with life: dolphins, manatees, and a healthy fishery that recreational anglers were enjoying.
But now a leading cruise port company, SSA Marine, is working with a Tampa holding company to develop the 328-acre coastal land into a major cruise terminal.
Although this isn't imminent, we need people to speak up, call in, and take a stand if we want to hold on to the nature we still have. Nature often doesn't have a voice, and it faces impacts beyond property lines drawn from behind the desk.
Take action to #KeepFLWild.
Link in the bio.
