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VOL 24 No. 4
September 20, 2023
Bioluminescence dazzles AMI beachgoers The light show may be part of the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
DAMON POWERS PHOTOGRAPHY | SUBMITTED
Bioluminescence, a possible side effect of Hurricane Idalia, is especially visible when water breaks against structures like the groin at the south end of Coquina Beach in Longboat Pass.
Idalia erodes Island beaches The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed a damage assessment of the shoreline following Hurricane Idalia. BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT |llake@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Hurricane Idalia's storm surge eroded the Island's renourished beaches, but the full extent of the damage and when it will be repaired is not yet known. “It could be months before any decision on what efforts will be undertaken is made,” Manatee County
spokesman Bill Logan said in a Sept. 8 email to The Sun. The first step of the process evaluation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) - has been completed. “Jacksonville District completed preliminary damage assessments of all federal shore protection projects Sept. 1-3,” according to David Ruderman of the USACE Jacksonville Corporate Communications Office. “Non-federal sponsors of federally authorized and constructed coastal storm risk management projects
SEE EROSION, PAGE 9
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The bioluminescent glow coming off the water in recent nights may be related to the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia, according to one local expert. “This could be related to the nutrient pulse from Idalia,” said Dr. Dave Tomasko, executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. “The water came up and much of the grass clippings and yard debris on our landscape got dragged back out into the bay as the water receded. So our water took a little bit of a hit.” Tomasko said there are several types of organisms that could be responsible for the glowing flashes in local waters. “It seems most likely to be a dinoflagellate called gonyaulax,” he said. “That’s a type of singlecell organism that’s known to
County takes no action against dog owner after multiple attacks
After two recent dog attacks and at least two older incidents, victims have more questions than answers from Manatee County Animal Welfare. BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY - A 140-pound mastiff that has killed one dog and injured at least three people and three other dogs remains at home with his owner. Rudy, owned by Anthony Santamauro, of Bradenton, attacked a small
WEDDING IDEAS
for a cozy beach honeymoon. 20
dog owned by Deanna McCollian, of Illinois, on Aug. 9 at Island Time Bar and Grill in Bradenton Beach, leading to the small dog's death, according to police reports. During the attack, the unleashed mastiff bit McCollian and Island Time employee Sean Hamrick. Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW) served quarantine paperwork to Santamauro following the incident and began an investigation on Aug. 10. According to a report from MCAW officer Kevin Mitchell submitted on
SEE DOG, PAGE 25
FLAMINGOS FLOCK TO FLORIDA
after Hurricane Idalia. Meet Peaches. 8 CORTEZ FISH PRESERVE restoration is
completed. 11
Page 25 Anna Maria Island, Florida
cause California red tide, but not here. Our red tide here is caused by a different organism.” Another organism, noctiluka, which comes from the Latin meaning “shines by night,” could also possibly be the cause of the glow, Tomasko said. Tomasko said the organisms are not harmful to humans. “It’s thought that this lighting is a protection against predators,” he said. “The neat thing about these organisms is they create light from an enzyme they have that takes chemical energy and turns it into light,” he said. “It has to be there in a high enough amount to see the glow. It’s a neat little show.” The best time to see the phenomenon is when the sky is darkest, he said. Tomasko said the bioluminescence has often been seen south of Coquina Beach in Longboat Pass. “One way to stir them up is to kick at the water, or the waves from a boat will do it,” he said. “I would not advise swimming at night though.”
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