Commission directs staff to curb long-term mooring near Snook Island and explore a municipal mooring field

The commission instructed staff on April 7 to begin drafting regulations that would limit or prohibit long‑term mooring and overnight anchoring in environmentally sensitive areas — notably near Snook Island — and to explore a future municipal mooring field as a managed alternative.

Commissioner Anthony Segarich described recurring problems with abandoned or unregistered vessels and the environmental risks near Snook Island, saying enforcement is costly and the volume of moored vessels was growing rapidly. "Every week that goes by, more and more boats are getting dropped off," he said, arguing for immediate steps to stop further mooring while staff develops an enforcement pathway.

Staff and legal counsel advised that state law permits local governments to enact regulations limiting mooring and anchoring within their jurisdiction; commissioners discussed enforcement logistics, towing costs and coordination with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and PBSO marine patrol. Staff said derelict-vessel and enforcement tools exist and that owners can ultimately be billed or vessels forfeited under state procedures.

The commission directed staff to draft an ordinance that would clearly prohibit long-term mooring in designated sensitive zones (with consideration for day-use/mooring exceptions for short visits or fishing) and to return with enforcement costs and legal language. Commissioners also asked staff to explore a managed mooring field as a longer-term, monetized option that could provide safe, permitted anchorage and pump‑out services.