Construction crews have started work on 41 boat slips at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral. The project will add slips to the waterfront site, pushing its count from 225 to 266.
State officials set strict rules to shield the nearby wildlife. Workers must stop during sawfish breeding and watch for manatees. The rules were established after the state’s approval for building near the protected waters.
Glover Bight is one of the last safe spots for the rare smalltooth sawfish in state waters, based on state wildlife data. Watch groups track each step of the work with careful eyes.
“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, according to Gulf Coast News. “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.”
Joan Perkett, who paddles the waters often, voiced her fears. “My initial thought was, that’s going in front of wetlands. They’re extending in front of wetlands. What’s going on there?” Perkett said.
After Hurricane Ian left many docks broken, the area needs slips for larger boats. The completion date has not been announced.