A group of homeowners and business owners around the Manatee Pocket, known affectionately as "The Pocket Bunch", have been working hard in partnership with Martin County to make the project the best it can be for everyone. Their years of work in bringing the issue before MCBCC and keeping the community informed is now bearing fruit. The project needs as much public support as possible to remind everyone of the importance of making it happen.

They’ve even put together a website for fellow boaters in the Pocket, with fishing reports, upcoming events, and live cameras of current weather conditions. Visit www.stlucieinlet.com

Comments from Members of the Pocket Bunch

"I'm Dave Mills, of the Stuart Sailfish Club, one of the oldest sportfishing clubs in the United States, formed for the purpose of promoting the conservation of gamefish and encouraging visitors to fish in Martin County waters. We run five tournaments a year to support such organizations as Treasure Coast Wildlife Center, M.I.S.S., Florida Oceanographic, the Artificial Reef Fund, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Samaritan House, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County.

While many of our tournament boats are local, many also come in from out of town, often as far north as New York, and south from the Islands. Whenever these boats come in from out of town, they can easily pump $10,000 or more, each, into our local economy when you count berth fees, fuel, bait, meals, hotels, etc. for a week. Further, as fuel prices soar to over $5.00/gallon in the Bahamas, northern boats that normally winter there are now choosing to stop and stay in south Florida. The Manatee Pocket can be a very attractive destination, and some stopped and stayed here this past winter. But there is growing concern about grounding or running through the muck. Boats drawing over 4 ½ ft. have to time their coming & going around the high tides."

- Dave Mills
Stuart, FL

"Even about ten years ago I was motoring my 5.5ft draft 37 ft long sail boat up the Pocket to the Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club.  When I passed David Lowe's Boatyard, I realized that I could no longer steer the boat but I was aimed for the SCYC dock. I kept plowing along through the ooze to it as if in a groove in the ooze, which I was."

- W.E. "Ted" Guy, Jr.
Stuart, FL

"Since a picture says 1000 words….

The photo to the left was taken on April 18, 2007 at our property located on the Manatee Creek (a tributary to the Pocket and part of the project). A neighbor of ours who lived on this creek since the late 1940's told us this creek ran clear with a sandy bottom when she first moved here. The creek has filled in over the years with muck, likely due to upstream development. We support this important project to improve the Pocket and protect our valuable environmental resources."

- Troy Marzano
Stuart, Florida