Introducing the Conservation Quarterly

Life on the Indian River Lagoon began early for me.

I was lucky to be born into a family that cherished the bond that only time together on the water can create. For a kid obsessed with fish and aquatic ecology, our pull toward a waterman’s life was like throwing gas on a fire.

Summers meant heading to the Keys—dropping baits while Dad or Grandpa dove the reef. Grandpa loved trolling for mahi and sight-fishing for cobia off Canaveral. And when we weren’t on the water, I was waist-deep in the Indian River after biking from our house on Pine Island Road in Merritt Island.

Those memories—especially the magical flats around Rinker Canal—are still fresh. Hours spent barefoot in the grass beds taught me to love this ecosystem from the bottom up.

I wasn’t exactly a star student, but I devoured everything I could about fish, fishing, and lagoon ecology—long before we had phones in our pockets to look things up.

A Life Shaped by Saltwater

That love for the water became more than a passion. It shaped my life.

With two young kids and a deeply supportive wife, I committed to a life on the tides. Two decades later, my charter and commercial fishing work has evolved into something more meaningful: advocacy.

I’m still a working waterman, but now I also focus on helping our lagoons—the ones I grew up in—recover during their time of need.

I’m proud to speak up for the health of these waters, to share what’s really happening out there, and to play an active role in their recovery.

The Turning Point

There was a time I would’ve scoffed at anyone who predicted the lagoon’s beauty could fade. But it did—and fast.

I saw brown tide algae spreading across the Indian River Lagoon before most had even heard of it. Research showed it was devastating in other places. That’s when the path forward became clear.

I had already fought (and helped win) against Port Canaveral’s plan for a cargo rail through the No-Motor Zone. That battle sharpened my resolve. I started speaking out about what was coming—and why science said it was serious.

Seagrass loss. Blocked sunlight. Massive fish kills. It’s been a tough decade.

From Advocacy to Action

That fight continues. Today, I’m not just vocal—I’m active:

• Starbrite Solutions – Project SeaSafe
  Helping water-based businesses get involved in restoration.
• UF Whitney Lab – Field Technician
  Monitoring lagoon water quality and supporting the IRL Clam Restoration Project.
• New Swell Restoration – Co-Founder
  Restoring mangrove shorelines and creating fish-friendly habitats—yes, even in your backyard.

What to Expect from This Series

This new quarterly series is about sharing the story of the lagoon—its history, its heartbreaks, its healing.

I’ll bring you honest updates on water conditions, highlight restoration projects, and reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going.

The Indian River Lagoon spans 160 miles and includes three distinct, interconnected zones. It’s one of the most biodiverse estuaries on Earth. And those of us who’ve spent our lives here have witnessed its highs, its lows, and now—we hope—its recovery.

Join me each quarter for a real look at the lagoon through the eyes of someone who’s lived every ebb and flow.