[Rhodes22-list] Expanding Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico

[DCLewis1 at aol.com]

Luis,
 
Interesting re the dead zones and that it has mapped into Fla  historically.  
I know we've been down there (Fla) when  there have been a whole lotta dead 
fish on Sarasota beachs and we were  warned not to swim in the water if we had 
asthma (why that would matter I don't  know, I try not to breath water when I 
swim, strictly air).  I'd be  surprised if red tides or dead zones are good 
for tourism - and that spells  big bucks for Fla.
 
It would be interesting to know to what extent La and Ms pollution affects  
Fla via circulation.  
 
The Chesapeake Bay has had a very similar problem with agricultural  runoff.  
Fortunately we have an independent non-profit, The Chesapeake  Bay 
Foundation, that appears to be successfully suing local governments to  enforce 
compliance.  They also work with farmers to find economic ways to  minimize watershed 
pollution, and volunteers on the Bay to restock/reseed  species such as 
oysters.  It might be a good model for what's needed in  Fla, Ala, Ms, La, and Tx.  
I know the Chesapeake Bay Foundation works with  at least Va, Md, Del, and Pa.
 
You've got a good little oceanographic research aquarium/institute in  
Sarasoata, as I recall, just up from the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.  It  would be 
interesting to know how they are involved.  They'd be a natural  lead 
organization for the State of Fla.
 
Dave



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