For immediate release: July 8, 2021
Contact: Amanda Nalley, 850-404-6100 or [email protected]
Suggested Tweet: SW Florida #bluecrab trap closure starts July 10 @MyFWC: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/2e75244 #Florida
Southwest Florida blue crab trap closure starts July 10
Recreational and commercial blue crab traps in state waters from the Palm Beach-Broward county line to the Pasco-Hernando county line must be removed from the water before July 10, the first day of a 10-day trap closure. This closure will give groups authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) the opportunity to identify and retrieve lost and abandoned blue crab traps from the water.
Traps may be placed back in the water in this area starting on July 20. Until then, blue crabs may be harvested with other gear, such as dip nets and fold-up traps. Blue crab harvesters may also use standard blue crab traps during the closure if the traps are attached to a dock or other private property.
Closures may be reduced in duration if it is determined the number of lost and abandoned traps in the region will take less time to remove.
Lost and abandoned blue crab traps are a problem in the blue crab fishery because they can continue to trap crabs and fish when left in the water. They can also be unsightly in the marine environment, damage sensitive habitats and pose navigational hazards to boaters.
The closure is one of three regional, 10-day blue crab trap closures for 2021. There are six regional closures total: three in even-numbered years on the east coast and three in odd-numbered years on the Gulf coast and in south Florida.
While state waters extend to 9 nautical miles offshore in the Gulf, the blue crab trap closures include only state waters extending to 3 nautical miles offshore on both coasts.
More information regarding the FWC’s trap-retrieval program, blue crab trap closure dates, regulations and cleanup events is available online at MyFWC.com/Marine (click on “Trap and Debris”). For additional information, contact the FWC’s trap retrieval coordinator, Pamela Gruver, at 850-487-0554.
 

Just released! FWC’s 2021-2022 manatee and sea turtle decals
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) just released the new 2021-2022 manatee and sea turtle decals. These high-quality waterproof stickers feature two different designs and are a fun way for people to directly support research, rescue and management efforts that conserve these species and spread awareness about the challenges they face.
Each July, the FWC introduces new manatee and sea turtle decals that are available with a $5 donation. The designs look good on a vehicle’s bumper or the side of a boat, and you can also stick them on laptops, water bottles and coolers. Get yours online or when registering or re-registering a vehicle or boat at local tax collector’s offices across the state.
“Purchasing a manatee or sea turtle decal and displaying it is a simple way to make a difference for some of Florida’s most iconic, imperiled species.” said Ron Mezich, section leader of the FWC’s Imperiled Species Management Section. “The financial support directly contributes to their conservation and displaying it for others to see also helps raise awareness.”
Manatees and sea turtles depend on Florida’s waterways and coastal habitats. Therefore, preserving Florida’s beaches and aquatic ecosystems is a crucial component of species conservation.
These collectable decals help fund manatee and sea turtle conservation efforts and raise awareness about the species and their habitats. For example, when someone calls the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) to report an injured, entangled, or sick manatee or sea turtle, FWC staff work with partners to rescue, rehab and release these animals in need.
The decal themes highlight important conservation issues, such as manatee-safe boating and keeping our waterways clean. This year’s themes include:

• “Go slow – Look out below!” This message encourages safe boating around manatees, what to look for while on the water and shows others that you support Florida’s manatee conservation efforts.
• “Protect Florida Sea Turtles” shows a leatherback sea turtle swimming among jellyfish. Leatherbacks are true oceanic travelers in the sea turtle world and need your help in keeping our waterways clean so they can keep swimming long distances.

Learn more about how to help conserve manatees and sea turtles at MyFWC.com/Manatee and MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle. Select the “Decals” link to order new or past editions of decals. You can also support these species by purchasing a “Save the Manatee” or a “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” license plate at your local Tax Collector’s office. For additional information about how to get involved, visit the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida’s website at widlifeflorida.org.

JULY EVENTS & MEETINGS & RIBBON CUTTINGS…OH MY!
The Chamber is monitoring reports on Hurricane Elsa. Should any of our events be affected we will share updates on our Facebook page, and on our website. For the latest information on the storm please refer to the National Hurricane Center.
Wed, July 7
8:30AM – Ambassadors Committee Meeting at Chamber
5:15PM* – Women in Business at Florida Rep – Starting or Jumpstarting Your Business
Thurs, July 8
11:45AM – P2P Leads Group at Shoeless Joe’s
Fri, July 9
9:00AM – Golf Committee Meeting at Eastwood Golf Course
Tues, July 13
8:00AM – Executive Committee Meeting at Chamber
5:00PM – Leadership NEXT at Bimini Bait Shack – Fort Myers Beach Development
Wed, July 14
8:15AM – P2P Leads Group at Hilton Garden Inn, University Drive
4:30PM – Ribbon Cutting at Jaffe Sports Medicine
Thurs, July 15
4:30PM – Ribbon Cutting at Chamber for Your Peace of Mind
Tues, July 20
7:30AM – Chamber Board Meeting at Crowne Plaza
8:30AM – Chamber Foundation Board Meeting at Crowne Plaza
Wed, July 21
3:00PM – Women in Business Committee Retreat at Seven Lakes
Thurs, July 22
11:30AM – Chamber Luncheon: Nonprofit Expo at Pelican Preserve
11:45AM – P2P Leads Group at Shoeless Joe’s
4:30PM – Ribbon Cutting at U.S. Renal Care Fort Myers
Mon, July 26
3:00PM – Ribbon Cutting at Chamber for Paramount Home Health Services
Tues, July 27
8:30AM – Leadership NEXT Committee Meeting at Salvation Army, McGregor Blvd
Wed, July 28
8:15AM – P2P Leads Group at Hilton Garden Inn, University Drive
Thurs, July 29
5:00PM – Pinz & Pints with Lee BIA at HeadPinz Entertainment Center
*Special time this month!

July 8, 2020
Suggested Tweet: Help @MyFWC and @NOAA gather information about Atlantic #redsnapper: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/2e749e5 #Florida #fishing
Atlantic red snapper season to begin; anglers can help FWC gather data
Researchers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are looking for anglers’ help to capture information about the Atlantic red snapper fishery. The 2021 recreational season in Atlantic federal waters is July 9-11. Anglers are limited to one fish per person, per day, with no minimum size limit in federal waters. Best fishing practices should be used and anglers can learn about helping deep water fish survive upon release at MyFWC.com/FishHandling.
FWC researchers will be out along Florida’s east coast during each day of the season asking recreational fishers about their red snapper trips, the number of red snapper harvested, and for permission to measure and weigh harvested fish and collect biological samples. This will not affect fish fillets and will help determine the size and age distribution of the red snapper population. New this year, biologists will also ask permission to take a small piece of fin tissue from harvested fish for a large-scale genetics study to help estimate the total number of red snapper in the Atlantic population.
In addition to special surveys conducted during the red snapper season, Florida’s State Reef Fish Survey is also being conducted year-round. This survey will collect data directly from recreational anglers and spear fishers with the State Reef Fish Angler designation, which is required to harvest certain reef fish species, including red snapper, anywhere in Florida. The two surveys will work closely together to track red snapper landings in season and improve year-round estimates of recreational catch, including releases, for a variety of important reef fish stocks, such as red snapper in the south Atlantic. Learn more about the science behind the surveys and how to obtain the State Reef Fish Angler designation at MyFWC.com/SRFS.
Anglers are also encouraged to submit their catch information to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council online at MyFishCount.com, even if information has already been submitted to FWC staff in person.
For information on snapper rules and regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Snappers” under the “Reef Fish” tab or download the FishRules app on your smart device.
________________________________________
This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 488-4676

Fall 2021 Registration Information
• Registration for Fall 2021 GED and ESOL classes will start on Wednesday, July 14.
• Registration links will be available at www.leeschools.net/ACE at noon on July 14, 2021.
• Registration for Fall 2021 Lifelong Learning Classes will start mid-August.
• We will post class information for Lifelong Learning Classes on our website in August. www.leeschools.net/LLC
Questions? Call 239-939-6310

Florida Skin Center Honors Melanoma Awareness Month

Complimentary Skin Checks Performed

 FORT MYERS, FL. (July 7, 2021) – Florida Skin Center (FSC), skin care specialists that provide a full range of medical and cosmetic dermatological care honored Melanoma Awareness Month in May by offering a morning of complimentary skin checks. 

 “Melanoma is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in the United States and the deadliest form of skin cancer,” said Dr. Anais Aurora Badia, M.D., D.O., Florida Skin Center founder, and chief medical officer.  “Melanoma can spread quickly to other organs, and it causes the vast majority of skin cancer deaths in the United States. Luckily, melanoma can often be detected in its early and most treatable stages. That’s why we are proud to offer this free service to the Southwest Florida Community.”

 During the event, FSC’s skin care experts were able to spot a few cases of skin cancer, including melanoma. 

 For those that missed the event, complimentary skin checks are available Monday-Friday at all four FSC locations, once per year, per person.  Appointments can be scheduled online by visiting www.FloridaSkinCenter.com via the online scheduler or by phone at (239) 561-3376. 

 FSC performs more than 2,000 free skin checks annually, saving patients more than $100,000 per year.  Since opening in 2001, FSC has performed more than 250,000 free skin checks.

 Florida Skin Center was recently honored for performing the most free skin cancer screenings in the nation by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

 Florida Skin Center has offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, and Punta Gorda. All locations offer readily available same-week and early-morning appointments. In addition, ft. Myers and Cape Coral offices open on select Saturdays. Appointment scheduling and text messaging available online at FloridaSkinCenter.com or call (239) 561-3376. Follow Florida Skin Center on Facebook and Instagram.

 About Florida Skin Center

 Florida Skin Center opened its doors in 2001. With offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, and Punta Gorda, the dermatology practice provides comprehensive medical services for diagnosing and treating skin, hair, and nail disorders. Procedures for aesthetic and cosmetic concerns are also available. Recognized for two consecutive years by the ASDS and Neutrogena® Choose Skin Health program as the Top Screener in the U.S. for free skin checks, Florida Skin Center maintains a focus on medical excellence and guest service.

 All locations offer readily available same-week and early-morning appointments. In addition, ft. Myers and Cape Coral offices open on select Saturdays. Appointment scheduling and text messaging available online at FloridaSkinCenter.com or call (239) 561-3376. Follow Florida Skin Center on Facebook and Instagram.

SBA Disaster Recovery Q&A Session
(en Español)

Thursday, July 8 
11am – 12pm EST
Online: Click here to join the Microsoft Teams event.
Dial-in: 202-765-1264, ID 584871308#

The Heights Foundation Seeks Donations and Volunteers for School Supply Outreach
Individuals, Businesses, Churches and Organizations are asked to Participate
(Fort Myers, FL July 2, 2021) – The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center seeks individuals, businesses, churches, and organizations to provide school supplies and volunteer for The Heights Center’s annual outreach program.  The Saturday, July 24 event will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at The Heights Center and provides backpacks and school supplies for 500 low-income children living in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.
“Our goal is to ensure that every child in Harlem Heights has the necessary supplies to succeed in school,” said Kathryn Kelly, president, and CEO of The Heights Foundation.  “The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average.  Many parents cannot provide all the things their students will need. We want to send our students back to school ready to learn.”
The Center has a wish list that includes new and durable backpacks (Size 17 or higher), 1” three-ring binders, calculators (basic and scientific), earbuds or headphones, pocket dictionaries, highlighters, lined filler paper, USB flash drives, scissors, folders, crayons, pencils, glue sticks, markers, and composition books.
“We are looking for organizations whose members can band together to meet the need,” said Melissa Barlow, The Heights Center’s outreach coordinator. “The 500 backpacks are the largest investment, costing more than $7,000, and supplies for each student cost $50.  A business may sponsor the backpacks, a church or philanthropic organization could provide crayons, markers, or notebooks.  Monetary donations may also be made online at our website or mailed.”
The drop-off deadline is Wednesday, July 21. The Heights Foundation school supply drop off locations include The Heights Center, 15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers, 33908 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday); Jennifer’s Boutique, 13251 McGregor Boulevard, Suite 111-1, Fort Myers, 33919; Peace Lutheran Church, 15840 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, 33908; Westminster Presbyterian Church, 9065 Ligon Ct, Fort Myers, 33908; and Zion Lutheran Church, 7401 Winkler Rd, Fort Myers, 33919.
Organizations and businesses hosting collection drives include Crown Colony Golf & Country Club Community, Jennifer’s Boutique, One Digital, Peace Lutheran Church, Royal Shell Real Estate, The Scotlynn Group, St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church, Temple Judea, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Zion Lutheran Church.
Individuals, businesses, churches, or organizations interested in donating or volunteering can contact Melissa Barlow at (239) 482-7706 or [email protected].  All donations are tax-deductible.  Monetary donations can be made on the web at www.heightsfoundation.org/donate or mailed to The Heights Center, 15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers, FL  33908.
About The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center
The Heights Foundation works to build self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.  The mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts.  The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment.   Heights Early Learning serves more than 80 babies through age 4. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 120 children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community.   Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 70% Hispanic, 20% African-American, and 8% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. Families cannot easily access family support services located in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs located within the neighborhood.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), South Florida Water Management District and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida are pleased to announce a new $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize exclusive to the 2021 Florida Python Challenge® thanks to sponsor, Virtual Business Services. The award will be presented to the participant who removes the most pythons as part of the competition.
“This is a monumental contribution to the cause of removing Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem. We are grateful to Virtual Business Services for their generous donation and hope this sparks more interest in this important effort. Working under the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, we will continue to work with our partners to protect our natural resources from the threat of invasive species,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto.
“I want to thank the public and all of our corporate sponsors for making this challenge possible. The South Florida Water Management District, the FWC and our partners in this great endeavor are teaming up to take the fight to the pythons and we won’t stop until these invasive snakes are eliminated and the Everglades are protected,” said SFWMD Governing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron.
“Virtual Business Services is proud to partner with the Florida Python challenge. With the fragile ecosystem in our great state of Florida, we are excited to help eradicate the python issue to preserve our native species,” said Virtual Business Services Chief Executive Officer Frank VanDeBoe.
“We are thankful for Frank’s commitment to combatting invasive Burmese pythons in the iconic and fragile Everglades. We can’t wait to see how many pythons the challenge is able to remove. We wish all the hunters the best of luck!” said President and CEO of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida Andrew Walker.
Participants who do not win the Ultimate Grand Prize can still win thousands of dollars for the most pythons in the “Professional” or “Novice” categories. There are also awards for the longest snakes in both categories. Active-duty military personnel and veterans who register for the competition will be eligible for additional prizes.
The goal of the Florida Python Challenge® is to increase awareness about invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology. The annual competition encourages people to get directly involved in Everglades conservation through invasive species removal.
The 2021 Florida Python Challenge® kicks off at 8 a.m. on July 9, 2021 and ends July 18, 2021 at 5 p.m. Registration is now open and people can sign up to participate until the last day of the event. There is a $25 registration fee and participants must complete free online training.
Visit FLPythonChallenge.org to register for the competition, take the online training, learn more about Burmese pythons and the unique Everglades ecosystem, and find resources for planning your trip to south Florida to participate in the Florida Python Challenge®.
The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the FWC and other public and private partners to conserve Florida’s native animals and plants, and the lands and waters they need to survive. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has raised and donated $50 million to conservation and outdoor recreation and education. More information can be found at wildlifeflorida.org.
Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and negatively impact native species. They are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida where they prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles. A female Burmese python can lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time. Since 2000, more than 13,000 Burmese pythons have been removed from the state of Florida. For more information on Burmese pythons, visit MyFWC.com/Python.

FWC’s Operation Dry Water promotes education, enforcement for boating under the influence this weekend
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement will be promoting awareness and conducting heightened enforcement targeting boating under the influence as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign this weekend.
FWC officers will be enforcing Florida’s boating under the influence laws and educating boaters about safe boating practices, which includes boating sober.
The Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest boating holidays all over the U.S., including here in Florida. In 2020, the month of July had nine fatalities and 53 people injured due to BUI related boating accidents.
Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries and consequences. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or higher — the same as it is to operate a vehicle.
“If you are boating and choose to operate while impaired, you are endangering not only yourself, but your family, friends and other boaters on the water,” said Maj. Rob Beaton, FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section Leader. “FWC officers will be actively patrolling statewide looking for boaters who show signs of impairment. One of our primary missions is to ensure the safety of all those enjoying the state’s vast and diverse waterways. That is why the FWC is joining other states and agencies across the country to do our part in keeping boaters safe and preventing accidents related to boating under the influence.”
Alcohol is a leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths and a major contributor to accidents. Last year in Florida, 23% of fatal accidents were related to alcohol or drug use.
If a person decides to take alcohol on their voyage, it is important to designate an operator who isn’t drinking alcohol and will remain sober to ensure everyone gets home safely. The FWC encourages boaters to enjoy the boating season to its full extent by boating sober, wearing a life jacket and taking a boating education course.
The national Operation Dry Water weekend will take place July 2 through July 4. The mission of Operation Dry Water is to prevent alcohol and drug related accidents and fatalities through increased recreational boater awareness and fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.
For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating and OperationDryWater.org.
FWC 2020 Boating Accident Statistics: visit MyFWC.com/Boating and click on “Boating Accidents.”