Sarasota Bay management needs and opportunities. A White Paper.

Abstract

This report describes the discussion and results of a 1986 meeting held at Mote Marine Laboratory with a goal to evaluate the relationship of comprehensive planning requirements to the management needs of Sarasota Bay, Florida, and review management programs implemented for other coastal resources in Florida. There are two central issues which required policy-level determination by local government officials. Questions asked were: should Sarasota Bay be managed as a unique and valuable natural resource, recognizing that management requires extra effort but results in extra benefits, compared to the present, unmanaged situation? Secondly, should the local government participate in the Sarasota Bay management project to be organized as part of the National Estuary Program of the Clean Water Act of 1987? A resolution was adopted by the workshop participants. The resolution was not considered binding on any office or person represented at the meeting and should be interpreted only as an expression of the group's opinion regarding Sarasota Bay management. The resolution endorsed a public conference on the bay and supported local government involvement in a bay management plan. It also called for production of this white paper based upon the meeting record and for a joint meeting of local government officials to endorse the findings and recommendations of the workshop.