Monday, March 1, 2010

Spread the word about new lemon shark rule

Living out on the rock, news may take a little longer to make its way down to the Keys. This past Thursday the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission passed a law that prohibits all harvesting of lemon sharks in state waters. About a month ago I wrote a letter to the editor referencing local charter fishermen and how some advertise catching and killing sharks, one of the species being lemons.

Sharks are apex predators of our ocean and control the entire food chain beneath them, which subsequently, controls the amount of oxygen the ocean provides us. Their disappearance would mean more to us than just another extinction. Sharks are also high in mercury content like many other large fish, and may be poisonous to consumers.

The reason the FWC prohibited the harvesting of lemons is because they are easily overfished locally due to aggregation behaviors, not to mention the removal of their fins. The FWC predicted that if fishermen continually fished lemon shark aggregations, the population would be fished out after only a few years.

The real reason, however, that I find it crucial to make locals aware of the newly passed lemon shark law is because the FWC's rules and regulations are very often in flux and not properly exploited. The responsibility solely relies on the fishermen to educate themselves on the ever-changing rules before setting the lines and landing the fish. If you happen to run into someone who may be unaware of these newly passed rules make them aware, because living out on a rock doesn't mean we have to be living under one.

Kaley Green

Key West

Keys Kids performance an uplifting experience

What a fine, sparkling, delightful experience attending Keys Kids performance of Guys and Dolls.

The acting cast and music and production staff all so incredibly melded together, a synchronous magical blend that had me mesmerized. I can't help but marvel at the dedication and discipline it must have taken to produce at such a high level, not to mention the talent that had to be there. Like a true aesthetic experience, it left me uplifted. Like a restorative balm it is still with me, an incredible memory tract for me to treasure.

Thank you so much. If it were up to me you would all be on the podium and if I could hang gold medals on you all -- it would be my fervent wish to be able to do that. Key West has a treasure, a real one, you all.

Donna Weinstock

Key West

Thanks for supporting the Florida Keys SPCA

I would like to thank everyone at Lilly Pulitzer and The Key West Winery for their fantastic fundraiser to benefit the animals at the Florida Keys SPCA. Both stores donated 10 percent of their sales for the day and provided a chance for us to showcase some of our cats and dogs. A steady stream of guests enjoyed great food, wine and punch while they shopped for beautiful fashions and tasty treats.

I would also like to thank the great guys from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Pea Island who have come out the FKSPCA numerous times to volunteer. These men are wonderful representatives of the USCG, donating their time and skills to help make the animals' stay at the shelter more comfortable while they wait for a new home.

We are so lucky to enjoy the support of so many in our community. Thank you.

Connie Christian

Executive director

Florida Keys SPCA

Key West

Sorry to see Grosscup catching such grief

It distresses me to see the flak my old neighbor Capt. Bill Grosscup is being subjected to after getting burned out of his beautiful, large, two-story houseboat home on Hilton Haven Drive. I owned the property next to Capt. Grosscup for about 10 years, and I could not have asked for a better neighbor. He was always there with a helping hand in fair weather or foul. I visited him numerous times, and never saw any structure there that was not either over or on the water.

Robert C. Moran

Fort Lauderdale