Mi preserve es su preserve.
At a Sept. 12 meeting at Fisherman’s Hall in Cortez, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage board unanimously voted to allow the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Village Historical Society to use a portion of the approximately 100-acre FISH Preserve for three events:
- A Keep Manatee Beautiful cleanup in Cortez village 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 1;
- The Cortez Nautical Flea Market 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8;
- The Florida Maritime Museum’s Christmas in Cortez 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.
FISH is partnering with FMM and CVHS for the nautical flea market and Christmas festival.
The board tapped CVHS volunteer Kris Martinez to prepare the FISH-owned space around the Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road W., for 32 vendors during the nautical market.
Martinez sparked a discussion about creating a visitors center for the preserve, 95-plus acres of natural land with trails and bridges.
The final phase of the restoration project that began in 2005 could begin as early as October.
Martinez also prompted a conversation about upkeep at the boat works, a FISH workshop adjacent to the cultural center.
Meeting attendees said groundskeeping volunteers are hard to find and the property requires attention.
Board member and A.P. Bell Fish Co. owner Karen Bell and FISH treasurer Jane von Hahmann suggested the organization reevaluate the boat works property at a future meeting.
FISH president Kim McVey then presented the board with a $94,000 bid to refurbish a dock in Sarasota Bay at the end of 119th Street West.
The wooden dock includes a net shed and lies within the southeastern corner of the FISH preserve.
In July, the organization allocated $55,000 for the project and aims to secure two more bids.
Members discussed the uncertainty of the project and Bell suggested FISH employ an attorney to determine the organization’s fire safety obligations.
According to the Florida fire prevention code, docks more than 150 feet away from a firefighting apparatus require a standpipe system.
The system, which terminates at an upright fixture to which hoses can be attached, can cost tens of thousands of dollars to install.
Bell said FISH should explore the feasibility of reconfiguring the structure into two docks shorter than 150 feet with a gap in the center to accommodate firefighting vehicles.
The next FISH meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, at Fishermen’s Hall, 4515 124th St. W., Cortez.
For more information, call 941-301-4000 or visit cortez-fish.org.