Page 4 - Stuart Exposure - February '21

Page 4, Stuart Exposure
Treasure Coast Outdoors

Is It Time To Clean Up Our is an avid hunter, angler,
Editor’s note: Jim Weix
Act? conservationist, as well as
an outdoor writer. Jim is
By Jim Weix included in the Wisconsin
We are all aware of the Waterfowl Association’s Hall
issue with plastics in the of Fame, for his work in
ocean. Many reports indicate helping restore thousands
that most sea life has plastic of acres of wetlands. Jim is
in their systems in the form a broker associate with The
of microscopic particles. Keyes Company. He can
The Loggerhead Marine Life be reached at (772) 341-
Center, in Juno Beach, treats 2941 or by email: jimweix@
hundreds of sea turtles each jimweix.com.
year. They find that basically
every sea turtle, even young
hatchlings, has plastics in their stomachs.
Years ago I dove the Loran Tower Reef. There was a Hundreds of marine species are negatively impacted by plastic.
strong current, so I latched onto a rock and just sat for a
while so I could simply observe. What amazed me the most
was the garbage that went flying by in the current. Choosing The Right
I often do a beach walk and take a garbage bag to pick up
trash. A common trash item found is plastic water bottles. As I
put the plastic bottles into my trash bag, I often wonder why we Wine For Your Perfect
need to buy water for $39 dollars a gallon in single-use plastic
bottles. Then there is the irony of me using a plastic trash bag.
At least eight million tons of plastic end up in our Or Imperfect Valentine!
oceans every year. Floating plastic debris is currently the
most abundant item of marine litter. Waste plastic makes
up 80 percent of all marine debris from surface waters to By Laura Berrio, If all of this seems overwhelming, try starting simple. Plan
deep-sea sediments. Freelance Writer/Blogger a dessert date! A beautiful bottle of rosé (hot category in wine
In a perfect world, I suppose the solution would be to There is so much currently) or champagne pair nicely with chocolates. The
simply ban the use of many products made of plastic that are pressure on couples to lighter the chocolate, the lighter the wine and the darker the
commonly found in our oceans and on our beaches. However, pick the perfect gift for chocolate, the darker, more full bodied the wine. If your love’s
I don’t see that happening. that special someone on favorite is in the middle with buttery, Belgian milk chocolates
I am reminded of another issue often while I troll in Valentine’s Day. Planning or white chocolate, a sweet wine such as a muscat pairs nicely.
the ocean. What is with all the helium filled Mylar and a special evening and If you decide to forego the wine and have champagne, select a
latex balloons? Some local governments are banning their picking that perfect bottle sec or demi-sec so the sweetness complements the chocolate.
releases from beachfront parks, but it will take more than of wine can seem daunting If this is not your first Valentine’s Day and you need to
this patchwork effort to solve that problem. on this holiday of “love.” step it up a notch … pick a vintage from a special year (first
Then we have the closure of the Jensen Beach Causeway Let’s make picking a date, wedding anniversary, birthday, etc.).
to fishing by the Florida Department of Transportation perfect wine an easy part of the planning. Once you decide A couple of mid-priced favorites of mine would be a
due to the trash left by anglers. According to one county on what you are going to do and where you are going to 2016 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon or a Taittinger
commissioner and local residents, this has been a problem do it, the wine choice is narrowed down. A picnic outside Champagne. Although a little pricey, if you want that very
for years. FDOT has tried for years to solve the problem with vs. a formal dinner call for a very different wine. special bottle, 2007 Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne and
signs and representatives talking to anglers. If you want to plan a sunset picnic on the beach, the 2002 Michael Magnien will not disappoint!
However anglers just kept on leaving dead bait, beer cans, you need a wine that travels well or opt for a bottle of Just remember to stay true to your tastes and stick with
and dead fish. FDOT decided the solution was to eliminate champagne! If you are planning on cooking, then the wine what you know. Follow your heart and sip with
the problem: anglers. choice needs to pair with the featured entrée. If you are the one you love!
A number of groups and individuals have volunteered to channeling your inner Julia Childs and preparing Beef ~ Cheers
patrol the causeway and pick up trash. In the past this has Bourguignon, a full bodied, deep red wine would be my ~ Keep the conversation going and
been tried with limited success. So, what is the solution? first choice. Valentines come in many shades of crimson the wine flowing!
Martin County Commissioner Ed Ciampi said it best: “We … uncork the perfect red to complement your special Follow the Vine at: www.
don’t owe them (anglers) an opportunity to fish these places cupid celebration. VineVibeUncorked.com.
if they are not going to take care of them.”

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