Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Endangered

onshore · Post by **onshore** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:43 am

MOSQUITO LAGOON ACCESS MAY BE LOST

NASA is considering the construction of an entirely new 'commercial' launch pad on the west shoreline of the Mosquito Lagoon, in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Mosquito Lagoon is home to some of the largest Redfish in the US and supports an extensive sports fishery for Sea Trout, Black Drum and Jack Crevelle also. The pending Florida state record Redfish was taken in Mosquito Lagoon and weighed 53 lbs.

Locally, the new development idea hasn't gone over too well with fishermen, birders and conservationists. It would result in the closing of the southern half of the Mosquito Lagoon to all entry, from the Haulover Canal south. A recent public hearing drew overwhelming opposition to the new site and support for using one of the many unused Air Force sites.

If this were the only site available that would be one thing, but the Canaveral Air Force Station is littered with old, no longer used launch pads, many of which could be adapted for the use of the commercial launch area. The Air Force has not launched a rocket from those sites for years and refurbishing many of those would not impact access to the lagoon. NASA evidently is unwilling to ask the Air Force for permission to do this. Apparently, they would rather spend $40,000,000 to develop a new site rather than a quarter of that to refurbish one of the unused launch pads.

There are several groups circulating petitions to save these valuable natural areas. If you would like to add your name to thousands of other sportsmen; here is a link to the one I have signed: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/prot ... tolagoon?e

Musclehead320lb · Post by **Musclehead320lb** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:24 am

I signed

Frogfish101 · Post by **Frogfish101** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:49 pm

Signed...

bolo · Post by **bolo** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:05 pm

Signed. I fished at Mosquito Laggon back in my flyfishing days. It is a very beautiful place and hate to the locals loose it.

HookinSnook · Post by **HookinSnook** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:17 pm

Signed.

CowboyJustin · Post by **CowboyJustin** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:11 am

Signed...

CowboyJustin · Post by **CowboyJustin** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:50 am

I have contacted the Wildlife National Federation and greenpeace on this one, we are going to need all the help we can possibly get to fight this. Come on guys I can't do this on my own, petitions alone wont stop this, we need to get everyone involved that we possibly can!

CowboyJustin · Post by **CowboyJustin** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:30 pm

I have emailed Aaron Viles with Healthygulf.org with all the information and have the National Wildlife Federation involved now, guys...if this means that much to you, send aaron viles a email describing the situation.

Here is his email aaron@healthygulf.org

I've done my part, the rest is on you guys, I am not fighting this battle on my own.

BoatlessFisherman · Post by **BoatlessFisherman** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:07 pm

Ok Signed =====101

kngfshman · Post by **kngfshman** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:27 pm

Signed

Optimistic Angler · Post by **Optimistic Angler** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 2:35 pm

Singed