The federal government, through the Department of Interior and in turn, the National Park Service, has authority to make rules pertaining to the use of land and water at Canaveral National Seashore, which includes the north end of Mosquito Lagoon. A new 20-year General Management Plan (GMP) for the Seashore was due to be finalized in 2004, but the superintendent retired and the plan was all but scrapped. Look for the GMP to be a top priority when a new superintendent is selected in 2005. The plan will again involve public comment—and may include restrictions on access to the Lagoon. We’ll watch this one closely.

A redfish lounges in the shallows.

The Merritt Island National Wildlife (MINWR) Refuge is an overlay of Kennedy Space Center and the surrounding lands and was created as a buffer for space center activities. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the lands and waters of the refuge, including much of Mosquito Lagoon. The Service prepares a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) every 15 years and a new CCP for MINWR is nearing completion. Of particular interest to anglers in the new CCP is a “pole-and-troll” zone over an area of Mosquito Lagoon locally known as Tiger Shoals. This shallow area in the east central part of the lagoon receives significant fishing pressure and, the Service contends, has been subject to much prop-scarring. The “pole-and-troll” zone calls for a narrow corridor across the shoals through which boaters may motor. If they choose to go outside the travel lane, as they certainly will want to do when they fish, only a trolling motor or a pushpole can be used. Of course, many skiff anglers are concerned they’ll lose the ability to cover traditional areas in reasonable time.

For a map of the proposed zone, see http://merrittisland.fws.gov/MosquitoLagoon/index.html. Initial public meetings have been held and comments sought. Look for the draft plan to be published in early 2005, with public comments on the draft plan to be sought between April and June. The CCP is scheduled for implementation in October 2005.

The use of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the southern portion of Mosquito Lagoon are subject to NASA activities. Much of this southern portion of the lagoon is closed when a shuttle is on Pad B; call (321) 861-4636 for information.

Both federal and state environmental protection agencies monitor water quality on Mosquito Lagoon, as well as endangered and threatened species, including manatees.

As mentioned, Mosquito Lagoon is part of the Indian River Lagoon system. Not to be outdone by other federal and state agencies, an Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan was developed by staff from the St. Johns River and the South Florida water management districts, in conjunction with the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (NEP) staff. The plan notes that seagrass is the measuring stick for the health of the Lagoon and notes that physical disturbance (boat propellers and anchors) is a factor affecting seagrass growth and health.

FS