Hopes are high for a productive and successful 2012, according to members of the Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage board at their meeting Jan. 2.
The FISH Preserve, one of the board’s top priorities, will continue to receive the work that began last year. The Preserve encompasses some 90-plus acres, including environmentally sensitive lands, east of the village of Cortez, where improvement and beautification has been a major goal.
Volunteers spent hundreds of hours in December clearing the northern portion — between 115th and 116th streets — to make way for new vegetation. Clearing will continue this year. There also is work ongoing to create public parking. In time, the entire preserve will be open to the public.
The board is currently pursuing grants to support continued work. A $58,000 Gulf of Mexico Foundation grant and a $98,000 Southwest Florida Water Management District grant “look real positive,” said board member and preserve site manager Karen Riley-Love.
• The FISH board voted to rename the former Cortez Church of God, acquired in 2010, Fishermen’s Hall.
• Board member Bob Landry said $1,000 remains in the budget for interior and exterior renovations, which includes replacing rotted beams and termite-damaged wood.
• Board president Kim McVey reported on the current mullet season, saying, “It is one of the best years ever. It will surpass the season of ’07. There are huge amounts of red- and white-roe mullet.”
• Plans for the 30th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, to be held the weekend of Feb. 18–19, are under way. Board member/artist Linda Molto said, “Everything is coming along real well.”
The next FISH meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at Fishermen’s Hall, 4515 124th St. W., Cortez.