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Letter to the editor

In brief

ECOLOGY

By RODNEY PAGE
Published June 10, 2005

Now that boating and beach season is in full swing, the Audubon Society of Florida is reminding boaters and beach goers to be mindful of nesting birds during the summer. Many local birds nest on area beaches during the summer. These birds include Caspian, royal and sandwich terns, laughing gulls, black skimmers, snowy and wilson's plovers, and American oystercatchers, above. According to the Audubon Society, these species have lost much of their beach habitat due to coastal development and heavy beach recreation.

BATTLE OF THE BAY: Local fishing tournaments have slowed down for the summer, but there are still some out there this month. The Fishing Rights Alliance is hosting the Battle of the Bay Saturday off Treasure Island. The tournament, which has a $50 entry fee, will feature gag and red grouper, amberjack, cobia and kingfish. Fishing begins at 7 a.m. The weigh-in is from 3-5 p.m. at Billy's Stonecrab Restaurant in Tierra Verde. There is also the 24th annual Father's Day Catfish Tournament in Tampa on Saturday, June 18. Registration forms must be received by this Saturday. The tournament is open to youth (ages 15 and younger) and adults. The only eligible species is saltwater Gafftop Sail Catfish. For information, call (813) 684-6004.

LADIES TOURNEY: The Old Salts Fishing Club will host the 17th annual Ladies Inshore/Offshore Fishing Tournament June 25. For information, call (727) 497-1060.

Students entering sixth through eighth grade will have a chance to explore Weedon Island Preserve during one of its three-day camps. The program runs Tuesday through Thursday and includes hiking, wading and canoeing through the preserve as well as classes on coastal ecosystems, wildlife and history of Weedon Island. Space is limited to 20 campers per session at a cost of $75 per person. For information, call (727) 453-6500.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary of Clearwater, located on Sand Key, is offering a two-day safety class. There will be two, five-hour classes from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday. For information, call (727) 469-8895. ... Also, the Tampa Bay Manatee Awareness Coalition is offering those new to boating in a free customized educational kit. The "Be a Bay Friendly Boater" program will provide information to new boaters and will include a Boater's and Angler's guide to Tampa Bay. To receive the free kit, call Nanette Holland at 893-2765.

[Last modified June 10, 2005, 06:22:45]