Cedar Key Waterway Cleanup

If you’ve never had the chance to check out some of the small communities along our Gulf Coast I highly recommend it. Cedar Key is a little town that’s off the beaten path, but one of the neatest little towns there is. Prior to this past hurricane season, you could take a ride out to the coast and hang out at some of the local spots and eat right on the water or enjoy a beautiful sunset watching the dolphins frolic in the water right in front of your table on one of the many outdoor decks along the boardwalk area.

- Article by Tonia Suarez Photos by Luke Laukaitis, Ocean Aid 360, Capt. Dave Markett and Tonia Suarez

Enter hurricanes Debby and Helene. The beautiful town of Cedar Key was heavily damaged this past fall when back-to-back hurricanes, Debby and Helene, hit the area within weeks of one another. Not only did this take its toll on the local tourism industry, which is one of the main sources of income this little town has, it also wreaked havoc on another industry that affects the seafood market.

It’s hard to believe that such a small town could be a contender for anything beyond its beautiful sunsets, however Cedar Key is arguably one of the largest clam producers in the nation and that took a terrible hit as well when the storms came through the area.

I got to help with a Ghost Trap Cleanup in Tampa Bay a few years ago, I really enjoyed getting to know Captain Neill Holland (founder of Ocean Aid 360) and his girlfriend Danielle. They are super great people. Ocean Aid 360 believes that protecting Florida’s coastal habitat, the environment and protecting marine resource-reliant livelihoods go hand in hand. They contacted me in regards to helping them put this cleanup together.