Help Restore Our Bay at Scallopalooza

Photo courtesy Charles Courtney

On Saturday August 6, the Sarasota Yacht Club will be hosting Scallopalooza – Repay the Bay, a fundraising event open to the public. The dinner and auction is the kick-off event in a mission to restore bay scallops to Sarasota Bay.

Decades ago the local scallops declined to what the Florida Wildlife Research Institute calls a “collapsed” scallop population. But it can be restored by spawning scallops at a fish hatchery, then releasing the scallop larva into our seagrass beds. Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) is partnering with the Sarasota Yacht Club to raise the $10,000 needed.

Today it is illegal to harvest scallops locally. But with a concerted effort, someday we should be able to enjoy scalloping like they do up north on Florida’s “Nature Coast” (around Steinhatchee).

Join your friends for a fun evening of dinner, drinks, auction and informative presentations. Hosted by Commodore Jeff Birnbach, speakers include:

• Scallop expert Steve Geiger from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission
• Ed Chiles, Florida native, restaurateur and founding member of Sarasota Bay Watch
• Storyteller Rodney Potter, Manatee County resident for over 70 years
• John Ryan, local scientist, talking about our water heritage

Where: Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota

When: Saturday August 6, 2011 at 6pm

Auction: There will be items for people of all budgets like a weekend at Steinhatchee Landings Resort, jewelry, sporting goods, a photographic print by Clyde Butcher and much more.

Price: Dinner is $50 per person with a cash bar. Four tables (10 seats) are available to sponsors, but are going fast. Capacity is 250 people, so sign up now and bring your friends. The Sarasota Yacht Club is generously donating everything above their costs to Sarasota Bay Watch for the scallop restoration. Registration for Yacht Club members is through the SYC. Others can register on the SBW website by clicking the links below:

Scallopalooza Per Person Sign-up - $50

Scallopalooza Sponsor a Table - $600

Scallopalooza Event Sponsor - $1000

Please sign up by Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 so you don’t miss your chance to be a part of this ground breaking restorative effort! For additional information call Ronda Ryan 232-2363 or Pierre Schutte 587-8174.

Information Links:
Sarasota Bay Watch
Sarasota Bay Watch Launches New Initiative by Rusty Chinnis, SBW President
Florida Scallop Searches

Sarasota Bay Watch is a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to protecting and restoring Sarasota Bay's ecosystem through community education and citizen participation.