The 25,000 acre Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve is a protected natural wetland on the edge of Tampa Bay. With its expansive network of waterways, mangrove forests, salt marsh, and sea grass meadows, the Terra Ceia is an undeveloped gem providing substantial fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities a short drive from downtown Tampa Bay. Earlier this year, a developer was far too close to turning a portion of this incredible protected wetland habitat into a cruise ship port…yes, another one.
Earlier this winter, local Florida press outlets broke the story how developers SSA Marine and Slip Knott LLC planned to build the Knott-Cowen Cruise Port on a 328-acre tract just north of Rattlesnake Key, a undeveloped parcel of mangrove forest ecologically connected to the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Florida already has numerous cruise ports and even a port in Tampa Bay, just 25 miles from the proposed location.
So, why are these developers intent on destroying a largely intact and highly-functioning habitat? Because mega cruise ships can’t reach the Tampa cruise port, due to clearance issues with the Skyway Bridge. To make matters even worse, the project scope included dredging a new 4.5-mile deep-water channel–that would have major negative impacts on the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, seagrass meadows, and essential habitats for many of our favorite fish and other species of wildlife.
As always, those behind the project–and those who would’ve profited the most–touted the huge influx of economic activity to the region. But that ignores the economic benefits Florida already receives from its healthy waterways and productive fisheries.
Local Guide, Captain David White, relies on these waters for his livelihood and was one of the early voices sounding the alarm. “As a captain and a father of 3, the possibility of development on Rattlesnake Key affects me greatly. We all should recognize that we are very early in the process. I’m all for entrepreneurship and local business growth, but this project is wrong. It’s wrong for our area and our community’s future,” said White. “Folks just don’t realize how fragile our waterways and estuaries are–not to mention, they’re still recovering from red tides, pollution, and poor water management.”
“All of these photos are from Rattlesnake Key and Paradise Key. This is my daughter, Layla with a Rattlesnake Key Snook, me speaking at a rally for saving Tiera Ceia, and my kids on a sandbar at Paraside Key. Paradise is slated to be wiped off of the map by SSA Marine’s proposed plan.“
“I fish this region all the time, and the habitat in question includes 14 ponds on Rattlesnake Key and numerous feeder creeks. Ponds are estuaries for the growth of our redfish, snook, trout, juvenile tarpon. In front of Rattlesnake Key, in an area that would be directly dredged, sits an artificial reef that is critical habitat for our grouper and snappers as well as limestone and reef for snapper, trout, and sheepshead. The 9-12’ hard bottom area in front of Rattlesnake Key is a pivotal staging area for our migratory tarpon.”
Echoing the voices of White and other concerned stakeholders, Tampa Bay WaterKeeper organized an Action Alert to raise awareness and mobilize opposition to this disaster of a project.
The local WaterKeepers stated, “The proposed port would threaten the health of our shared watersheds, including Tampa Bay, Terra Ceia Bay, Sarasota Bay, and beyond. SSA Marine’s claims about economic benefits and ecological preservation obscure the real, serious harm this terminal would inflict on our waterways, our health, our businesses, and our way of life.”
Fortunately, Florida’s legislators took notice. Florida State Senator Jim Boyd and Representative Will Robinson Jr., who both represent the exact area threatened by the cruise port project, introduced SB 302. The bill focused on strengthening coastal protection by promoting nature-based solutions like mangroves, reefs, and living shorelines instead of relying only on traditional infrastructure. It creates a statewide system and streamlined permitting process to make these environmentally friendly projects easier and faster to implement. Notably, the bill also increases protections for sensitive areas like Terra Ceia, in response to the cruise project.
Florida’s legislature doesn’t have the greatest track record on conservation issues as of late; Captains for Clean Water mobilized their ever-growing network of advocates back in 2022 and this past year to fight back against bills, promoted by the Sugar Industry, that would’ve had major negative implications for Everglades restoration. So, it is refreshing to see Florida’s legislators standing up for healthy waterways and habitats.
SB302 passed the legislature, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law a few weeks ago. “We have many world-class deepwater seaports already,” said Governor DeSantis. “They contribute a lot to the state economy. They contribute local taxes, jobs. So, there’s a lot that goes into that, but Florida remains an important destination for cruise expedition. There’s not really a need to add another port in the middle of a conserved area, and an aquatic preserve, especially given that Tampa Bay is already home to three deepwater ports, including SeaPort Manatee, right here in Manatee County. So, construction of a new port next door I think struck a lot of people as being unnecessary.”
As is true with conservation battles like Pebble Mine, public lands, or Big Sugar’s opposition to Everglades restoration–this could be one of those recurring issues that demands vigilant oversight and advocacy. But for now, good on the legislators who supported conservation and rightfully viewing a massive cruise port on a sensitive ecosystem as a poor idea. White added, “I’m sure this will be a very long fight, but we need to maintain this level of intensity and enthusiasm for conservation the whole time. It’s up to us, as a community, to keep this estuary intact for our children and grandchildren. Because once it is gone, there is no getting it back.”
Photo credit, @Captain David White.
