Save Fishing Habitat in the Southern Everglades

The Everglades Foundation was actually started by outdoor enthusiasts who realized that livelihoods and recreational pastimes tied to fishing were of critical concern to those who were dependent on Florida Bay in the Southern Everglades. The problem with the decline of fish habitat in the Southern Everglades can be traced to a number of Everglades-related problems including water quality and water distribution.

Part of the problem is a canal system that drains much-needed freshwater from the eastern area of Everglades National Park. One of the canals in the ecologically misguided canal system at the center of the demise of Florida Bay is called the C-111. It diverts significant amounts of water that otherwise would have nourished Florida Bay via Taylor Slough.

The magnitude of the flow of this redirected water upset the balance of Florida Bay's salinity. Devastating ecological damage resulted, imperiling delicate seagrass beds, nursery grounds for juvenile fish, shrimp and sponge populations, wading bird habitat and other commercial and recreational fish species.

Foundation scientists have channeled their energies to improve the outcomes of a key project to rehabilitate the environment of Florida Bay. The project that will help save fishing habitat in Florida Bay is known as the C-111 N. Spreader Canal project. The science team is focused on promoting a plan that extends a canal constructed in a manner that allows for the gradual seepage of water into thousands of acres of wetland and coastal habitats providing a more natural mix of fresh and saltwater for Florida and Biscayne Bays.

To learn more about the C-111 N. Spreader Canal project, click here.