There are signs that the health of Lemon Bay and Charlotte Harbor is continuing to improve. That’s according to scientists with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, who have found that seagrass acreage in the bay and harbor has increasted by more than 900 acres. They say seagrass is an important barometer of a bay’s health because it requires relatively clean water to flourish and serves as “the nurseries of the bay,” sheltering and supporting a variety of juvenile fish and other marine creatures. Englewood Coast Guard Auxiliary Commander Robert Eckert says that Lemon Bay had a six-point-one percent increase in seagrass and Charlotte Harbor seagrass increased by four-point-two percent. Eckert adds–quote–“This means our bays and harbors are recovering, and that our kids and grandkids will be able to enjoy even better boating right here than we do today.”
