FWC and DEP Collaborate for Critical Wildlife Area Clean-Up in Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve

The Tuesday before the Thanksgiving break, a local FWC law enforcement captain, lieutenants and officers joined Charlotte Harbor AP staff for a debris and fishing line clean up on one of the established Critical Wildlife Areas in Pine Island Sound. This collaborative event hosted by CHAP serves as an opportunity to reconnect with the FWC law enforcement who patrol the area and to meet the newly graduated officers from the Academy.  

After tackling the CWA, the group cleaned a second island, removing a combined estimated 1000 lbs. of trash including wooden planks, crab trap buoys, an abandoned AC unit on plywood and lots of fishing line. Staff intend to invite the FWC crew again next year as part of the annual rookery island cleanup efforts.