Nate Meschelle is a young commercial fisherman based out of Cortez. Nate embarked on a full-time fishing career at a young age, honing his skills in various fisheries such as lady fish, jack, and pompano. He is not only experienced in navigating the waters and understanding the ecosystem but also an advocate for environmental conservation and sustainable fishing practices, actively engaging in activities like clam release and promoting initiatives to mitigate the impact of human activities on marine life.

Scope and Content Note

Nate Meschelle shares his background in fishing and experiences with red tide. The earliest Red Tide Meschelle remembers was in 2004/05, where he saw a huge mullet fish kill. Meschelle recalls several red tide events, occurring annually, along the central gulf coast. In the most recent Red Tide event, Meschelle discusses witnessing a lot of dead pinfish, grunts, and eels. Discussing red tide, he recalls incidents of burning eyes and his uncle needing medical attention due to red tide fumes. He describes the pattern of red tides appearing from the south and the detrimental impact on fish populations, particularly mullet in areas like Charlotte Harbor. Nate mentions various locations where he observed red tide patches based on hearsay and personal observations. He highlights the environmental impact of human activities, with fish dying and green grass on the shore. Nate plans to experiment with stone crab trapping and secured an SBA loan to cope with the financial effects of red tide. He expresses disappointment with the county's cleanup efforts and suggests involving fishermen and using skimmers for more effective cleanup. Nate also advocates for proactive measures like clam release, limiting development, and promoting initiatives such as planting more plants and oysters.