'Newspg12.indd' by The Newscaster

beaches. Spring marks horseshoe crabs' mating season, and biologists with the Florida Fish

and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) want the public's help identifying spawning

Beachgoers will likely have the best luck

spotting mating horseshoe crabs around high tide,

just before, during or after a new or full moon. The

conditions around the new moon this Wednesday,

March 9, and the full moon on March 23 will cre-

ate ideal opportunities to view the spawning be-

havior of horseshoe crabs.

Mating crabs "pair up," with the smaller

male on top of the larger female. Other male crabs

may also be present around the couple. Beachgoers lucky enough to spot horseshoe crabs

are asked to note how many they see and whether the horseshoe crabs are mating. If pos-

sible, the observer should also count how many horseshoe crabs are mating adults and how

5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446

many are juveniles (4 inches wide or smaller).

Phone: (352) 489-4588 Fax: (727) 362-4788

In addition, biologists ask observers to provide the date, time, location, habitat

type and environmentaltides and moon phase when a sightingmail, Tom Russell, Publisher: thenewscaster1@gmail.comIEmail, Debbie Russell, Editor: d

 conditions such as 

es: thenewscaster.com · newscasterarchives.com · history.newscasterarchives.c

The FWC asks the public to report sightings through one of several options. Go

andgo to CrabNesting Activity" for the "Submit a This week's featured photo is of Gregg Keinitt of Delaware with a slot Snook. Gregg caught

  "Horseshoe  

to MyFWC.com/Contact

  link,   Horseshoe Crab Spawning Beach Sur- this Snook on a Zara Spook lure.

Horseshoe CrabSurvey" thenselect"Florida 

Crystal River 20-acre brush fire under control

vey." alsofindings emailathorseshoe@MyFWC.comorbyphone at

  You can  report   via        



866-252-9326. 

On Monday, March 21, the Citrus County Sheriff s Office, Division of Fire Res-





The survey program began in April 2002. Through 2015, the FWC has received cue, along with the Florida Division of Forestry, gained control of an approximatly 20-acre

3,485 reports from across Florida. Horseshoe crabs, often called "living fossils," are an im- brush fire in Crystal River, in an area near N. Mitchum Pt. and Holiday Acres where there

  

portant part of the marine ecosystem. Their eggs are a food source for animals. Birds, such are numerous power lines. Several fire units were still on the scene in the late afternoon,

in the event that hot spots were found thatwould need to extinguished. The aviation 

 be  

as red knots, rely on horseshoe crab eggs to fuel their long migrations to nesting grounds.

Horseshoe crabs have also proved valuable to human medicine. Pharmaceutical companies unit was also on the scene, looking for hot spots  the At  therewas

from  sky.   last report,    no

use horseshoe crab blood to ensure intravenous drugs and vaccine injections are bacteria- structural damage or property loss, and no injuries as a result of this fire. The Division of

      



free and sterile. Scientists are also using horseshoe crabs in cancer research.

Forestry will be investigating how this fire started.

BUDDY & FRED'S HARDWARE

Captains    

 Cove Outfitter

      

39 W.Inglis, 447-5610

 Hwy. 40 · FL · (352) 



Open5:45-6pm

 M-Sa  Sun. 5:45-5pm





Mre 

 o  Than A Bait Store



Even bait

though we have a great  selection!



  Gear up to



  



With Shimano Rods & Reels

Inglis, Dunnellon, Hernando, Crystal River & Homosassa

Serving  Yankeetown,



5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446

hone489-4588 Fax (727) 362-4788

P  (352) 

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

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Visi



Email (Tom Russell, Publisher) thenewscaster1@gmail.com  



lRussell,Editor) debbienewscaster@gmail.com

Emai (Debbie  

   



All Our Staff are Fishermen

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Local Guides Available

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We have  Family  Atmosphere

a Clean    Friendly

 

Top Qualityrods &for beginners

     reels



to experts.Large selection

    of Saltwater Tackle

   















Voters of Citrus County



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   

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Busi Choice petition

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Available at www.lwvcitrus.org



to start in 2-17-16 issue

WAERFOTnitlooe Rier!

T RN o W ache  v

h  c   

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

   

email: lwvcc2013@gmail.com



1.acrsRBfor only

5   e  , 2B  / 2  A     