Sturgeon Warning For Suwannee

TALLAHASSEE – The Gulf sturgeon are beginning their annual migration back into the Suwannee River during March and April. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminds boaters to slow down and be aware these fish are jumping as three people were hurt in collisions with jumping sturgeon during 2008.

“Just one person getting hurt is too many,” said Maj. Lee Beach, regional law enforcement commander for the FWC’s North Central Region, based in Lake City, in a press release. “We want people to be aware the sturgeon are returning, and the risk of injury to boaters does exist.”

In 2006, officials began working on a public awareness campaign to alert boaters to the risks of the high-jumping prehistoric fish. “We have posted signs at each boat ramp along the Suwannee, explaining the risk of impacts with these fish,” Beach said.

What’s the best course of action for avoiding a collision?

“We recommend boaters reduce their speed to reduce the risk of impact and to give people more time to react if they do encounter a jumping sturgeon,” Beach said. “The FWC also recommends that all boaters wear their life jackets.”

The Suwannee River appears to support the largest viable population of Gulf sturgeon. Biologists estimate the annual population at 6,500 to 7,500 fish, each averaging approximately 40 pounds. Adult fish spend eight to nine months each year in the river spawning and three to four of the coolest months in Gulf waters. Sturgeon tend to congregate in deeper and cooler waters with moderate currents and sand and rocky bottoms.

Biologists are unsure why sturgeon jump.

“Scientists are still attempting to figure that out,” said Dr. Jeffrey Wilcox, FWC biologist. “The latest theories include that the fish jump to communicate, or it may be a dominance display. No rules require all jumps to mean the same thing.

“I have seen these collisions referred to as ‘attacks.’ However, these fish are in no way ‘attacking’ when they jump. They are simply doing what they have been doing for millions of years … jumping. They aren’t targeting the boaters,” Wilcox said.

However, Gulf sturgeon can get quite big, exceeding 8 feet and 200 pounds. “They have five rows of rock-hard ‘scutes’ along their sides, back and belly. When sturgeon and boaters collide, the results can be devastating,” Wilcox said.

To report sturgeon collisions, call 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Off Road Attraction Debuts in Clermont

CLERMONT (Near Orlando) – Revolution, The Off-Road Experience is a new attraction company that brings local adventures to tourists. On 200 acres of wilderness, visitors can ride ATVs, dune buggies and a four-wheel drive SUV; receive water-skiing lessons from an international coach; and learn how to reel in the big catch at the local lake. (352) 400-1322. www.revolutionoffroad.com.

Briefly: Man Gets 50 Traffic Tickets in One Day

BOYNTON BEACH - Good earth. Today’s Florida fun story is Elvis Alonzo Barrett, 46, who fled from police trying to stop him for a traffic infraction. Police said he ran through red lights, crashed into another car and a fence. Police said they found crack cocaine and a crack pipe in his car. They issued him 50 tickets.

See the AP/Yahoo story Florida Man Issued 50 Traffic Citations in a Day.

The Wild Monkey Tradition in Florida

Wild Monkeys are Florida Tradition

CLEARWATER – Yes, it is true. There is a wild rhesus monkey lose in Clearwater, and authorities are trying to round him up. And he throws poop! State officials are still trying to catch him.

Wild monkeys have a long tradition in Florida.

Other groups include:

• A group of patas monkeys went loose in October 2008 from a planned theme park called Safari Wild in Polk County, which is west of Orlando.
• Wild monkeys that ran loose on Lois Key in Florida’s Keys. These were monkeys raised for research.
• Wild monkeys are still along the shores of the Silver River in Silver Springs. In past years, they have escaped to nearby Ocala.

Click here for Florida monkey comments on FARK.

Briefly: Port St. Lucie Teens Fight Over Makeup

PORT ST. LUCIE – Two girls in Port St. Lucie fought over makeup, and their mother is in trouble too, all over a 3 a.m. disturbance. According to the Treasure Coast newspaper and website www.tcmpalm.com, Brittany Kaye Edwards, 18, said she went to the bedroom that her sister and mother share to get makeup out of her sister’s purse, according to the reports.

A fight ensued. According to the paper, police charged both sisters for domestic battery and charged their mother with obstruction of justice.

For more local Treasure Coast news when  you are visiting the areas of Stuart, Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound and Hutchinson Island, look at www.tcmpalm.com.

Briefly: Dolphin Jumps into Boat

NEW SMYRNA BEACH - An Ohio couple, Norman and Barbara Howard, had a 400-pound giant Atlantic bottlenose dolphin jump into their boat while they cruised the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway yesterday.

It happened near a bridge in New Smyrna Beach, while the couple was going under the bridge. “That thing had a good punch,” Norman Howard said. “Mike Tyson does not hit that hard.” Read more

Find Beer Pong in Lutz, Florida near Tampa

If you are in the Tampa area, and interested in an amusing night out, stop in any night at The L.A. Hangout, a bar in Lutz, Florida. The name of the bar has nothing to do with California; the L.A. stands for Lutz Area Hangout. The bar is home to one of the largest Beer Pong parties in the United States. Read more

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