2013-037 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Our Indian River Lagoon call to develop a unified it's too late. is on life support, dying before our eyes. This is a plan to work together to restore the Lagoon before The Indian River Lagoon's seagrass beds are the biological foundation of the 156 mile. long estuarine ecosystem which supports the coastal economy of 5 counties. This ecosystem is in dire need of our directed, concerted assistance. We recognize and commend significant efforts by government, individuals and organizations that have contributed to the knowledge of the lagoon and its varied habitats, increased awareness and worked to correct some of the problems. Unfortunately, continued degradation of the Lagoon indicates that those efforts have been insufficient. Success in turning this trend will require the leadership and financial support of federal, state, county and city governments in cooperation with non-profit organizations, corporations, small businesses and individuals. Government leadership is essential to solve this problem because it has the power to construct improvements, regulate, fund, enforce, acquire land, mitigate and provide services. Research and monitoring of the Lagoon provide data that demonstrate the gravity of the problem, but simultaneously can guide us towards future solutions necessary to revive the Lagoon. 1. Seagrass coverage is the prime indicator of the health of the Lagoon ��. During a two year period (2009-11) there has been an estimated 4370 loss in area covered by seagrass which is equivalent to approximately 53 square miles c2>. 2. The Lagoon contributes $3.7 billion to the coastal economy annually. 13) . seagrass productivity contributes between $10-20,000 annually per acre per year in economic benefit (4). Based on seagrass losses over the last two years the economic loss is approximately $340 million annually (s). 3. Pollutants. are degrading the Lagoon. Lesions on fishes and sea turtles,, flesh -eating fungus on dolphins and fish kills are increasingly common, demonstrating declining habitat quality (6). 4. Habitat loss of seagrass beds, mangroves, oyster reefs and wetlands is affecting the viability of lagoon and ocean fisheries, as well as.bird and manatee health and will continue to decline unless action is taken!