Outdoors

Gulf and Bay: Out and about

By RODNEY PAGE, Times Staff Writer
Published October 19, 2007

Cleanups

Local groups target Mono

The Audubon Society of Florida and Tampa Bay Watch need volunteers Saturday to help remove fishing line from about 50 islands in Tampa Bay during the 14th annual Monofilament Cleanup. Some of the islands are generally closed to the public, so volunteers are asked to contact the Audubon of Florida or Tampa Bay Watch beforehand. The Audubon number is (813) 623-6826 and Tampa Bay Watch is (727) 867-8166. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, monofilament fishing line is the leading cause of death of adult brown pelicans. But the fishing line also endangers other birds that nest in trees on the islands.

Also Saturday, Tampa Bay Watch is having a coastal cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. There are two locations: Fort De Soto Park, Shelter 12 or the Tampa Bay Watch headquarters on Cunningham Key. Volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes and a hat.

FISHING

Plentiful kingfish for a tournament

The registration deadline for the Randy Keys Kingfish tournament is 8 tonight at Billy's Stonecrab Restaurant in Tierra Verde. Fishing is Saturday at daybreak, with the weigh-in scheduled for 3-4 p.m. at the restaurant. For information on the tournament, call 542-3900.

[Last modified October 18, 2007, 19:50:37]