Construction near mangroves at Tarpon Point Marina is sparking both concerns and excitement. Along the mangroves, heavy equipment and a barge can be seen working on a project that will add 41 new boat slips to the marina, expanding its capacity from 225 to 266. While it’s a relatively small expansion on paper, people who kayak and fish in the area say it’s a big deal because of what lives just below the surface.“My initial thought was, that’s going in front of wetlands,” said Joan Perkett, who often kayaks near the marina. “They’re extending in front of wetlands. What’s going on there?”Perkett calls herself a “tree-hugging nature lover” and says even lawful projects deserve public attention. She worries the work could disturb endangered smalltooth sawfish, which use this stretch of water in the Glover Bight area of the river, as a nursery.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirms that Glover Bight is one of only a handful of remaining nurseries for sawfish in Florida.“It’s a very sensitive area, but the project itself doesn’t have direct impacts — they’re not clearing mangroves or dredging,” said Joe Cavanaugh with Calusa Waterkeeper. “My biggest concern is that there’s no further development of the basin. After these 41 new slips, that area’s at capacity in terms of impacts to sawfish.” According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the marina followed all required permitting steps and must comply with environmental safeguards, including construction outside sawfish pupping season and manatee protection measures.Perkett understands Tarpon Point Marina’s expansion followed the rules, but believes the community should keep an eye on development that edges close to the mangroves.’You need to keep your ear to the ground as far as the developments around here, because things do happen quietly,” she said.For boaters, the Tarpon Point Marina expansion project represents long-awaited progress. The marina sustained major damage during Hurricane Ian, and larger yachts have been left with limited docking options across the region.“It’ll be another destination for some of these bigger boats,” said Capt. Darrell Gregorio. “It’s good for our economy. It’ll bring people back to this area. We don’t have many marinas left that can handle bigger boats, especially after Ian.”Whether you’re in a kayak or at the helm of a yacht, most agree, Cape Coral’s future depends on keeping these waters clean and thriving.Gulf Coasts News reached out to the construction company and the owner of the marina for comment, but they didn’t respond in time for this story.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Construction near mangroves at Tarpon Point Marina is sparking both concerns and excitement.

Along the mangroves, heavy equipment and a barge can be seen working on a project that will add 41 new boat slips to the marina, expanding its capacity from 225 to 266. While it’s a relatively small expansion on paper, people who kayak and fish in the area say it’s a big deal because of what lives just below the surface.

“My initial thought was, that’s going in front of wetlands,” said Joan Perkett, who often kayaks near the marina. “They’re extending in front of wetlands. What’s going on there?”

Perkett calls herself a “tree-hugging nature lover” and says even lawful projects deserve public attention. She worries the work could disturb endangered smalltooth sawfish, which use this stretch of water in the Glover Bight area of the river, as a nursery.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirms that Glover Bight is one of only a handful of remaining nurseries for sawfish in Florida.

“It’s a very sensitive area, but the project itself doesn’t have direct impacts — they’re not clearing mangroves or dredging,” said Joe Cavanaugh with Calusa Waterkeeper. “My biggest concern is that there’s no further development of the basin. After these 41 new slips, that area’s at capacity in terms of impacts to sawfish.”

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the marina followed all required permitting steps and must comply with environmental safeguards, including construction outside sawfish pupping season and manatee protection measures.

Perkett understands Tarpon Point Marina’s expansion followed the rules, but believes the community should keep an eye on development that edges close to the mangroves.

‘You need to keep your ear to the ground as far as the developments around here, because things do happen quietly,” she said.

For boaters, the Tarpon Point Marina expansion project represents long-awaited progress. The marina sustained major damage during Hurricane Ian, and larger yachts have been left with limited docking options across the region.

“It’ll be another destination for some of these bigger boats,” said Capt. Darrell Gregorio. “It’s good for our economy. It’ll bring people back to this area. We don’t have many marinas left that can handle bigger boats, especially after Ian.”

Whether you’re in a kayak or at the helm of a yacht, most agree, Cape Coral’s future depends on keeping these waters clean and thriving.

Gulf Coasts News reached out to the construction company and the owner of the marina for comment, but they didn’t respond in time for this story.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.