Memories of Clam Bayou...

Seventy-five years ago, Al Capone ran rum through the coves and crannies of Clam Bayou on the west central coast of Florida. Today, Clam Bayou is one of the last naturally functioning estuaries on Boca Ciega Bay, a part of Tampa Bay. It is home to some of the few remaining otters, eagles and manatees in the bay, as well as terrapins in its creeks. Recreational anglers "in the know" try to navigate its shallows looking for the hefty-sized snook, redfish, and speckled trout that they prize.

Amazingly, Clam Bayou sits between the communities of St. Petersburg and Gulfport in the most densely populated county in the state. Its existence is continually threatened by suburban sprawl, encroaching development and polluted storm-water runoff. Yet, its value can be measured by more than beauty. Recreational fishing is one of the mainstays of local tourism, and, along with commercial fishing, they pump millions of dollars into the region's economy. Without natural enclaves like Clam Bayou, Tampa Bay as a whole loses its ability to nurture and sustain inshore and offshore fisheries.

The large, undeveloped parcels of Clam Bayou should be bought and preserved as a sanctuary. Additionally, an appropriate management plan must be developed to preserve the Bayou's function as a refuge, prevent further degradation caused by untreated storm water, and educate area residents on the intrinsic value of Clam Bayou.