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Off the Florida Keys...Divers to target LIONFISHin Lower Keys DerbyStock Island, Florida Keys – Divers can becomeundersea “anglers” during an event designed tocontrol the population of non-native lionfishin Florida Keys waters. Set for Saturday, Nov.5, the Lower Keys Lionfish Derby is part of anongoing series hosted by the Reef EnvironmentalEducation Foundation and the Florida KeysNational Marine Sanctuary.The action is headquartered at Stock Island’sHurricane Hole Restaurant & Marina, 5130 U.S.Highway 1 at mile marker 4.5.Events are to begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, November4, with a late registration followed by a mandatory7 p.m. captains meeting and briefing on safecollection and handling procedures for lionfish.The venomous Indo-Pacific red lionfish, whoseAtlantic Ocean presence probably began inthe 1980s when people carelessly released thepopular aquarium fish, is considered an invasivespecies with no natural reef predators exceptman. Its rapidly growing populations steal spaceand food resources from domestic species likegrouper and snapper.On derby day, teams can begin collecting lionfishat sunrise. All catches must be turned in to thescoring station between 4 and 6 p.m.At a 5:30 p.m. social, derby participants andthe public can taste dishes made with lionfish’sdelicate white meat.A 7 p.m. awards ceremony and 7:30 p.m. banquetround out the events. Cash and prizes totalingmore than $3,000 await the teams that bring inthe most lionfish, largest lionfish and smallest.The entry fee is $120 per team of up to fourmembers registering by Wednesday, Nov. 2, or$150 thereafter.Divers can participate from their own privatevessels or join a local dive operator’s charter.Event information and registration:www.reef.org/lionfish/derbiesLower Keys visitor information:www.fla-keys.com/lowerkeys or 1-800-872-3722World ChampionshipPowerboat Races inKEY WESTKey West, Florida Keys – Powerboats manned by leadingnational and international racing teams are to thunderthrough the waters of Key West Harbor during the Key WestWorld Championship, slated Sunday through Sunday, Nov.6-13.Boats are to race on a 6.5-mile course, featuring both roughand calm water conditions, during the season-ending eventacclaimed as the Indianapolis 500 of the offshore powerboatracing circuit. The challenging course is a primary reasonfor the island city’s reputation as one of the world’s premierracing venues.The course layout provides spectators unmatched close-upviews of the high-speed action. According to race organizerJohn Carbonell, boats will be within 50 yards of race fans atthe Truman Waterfront grandstand area as they roar into theouter harbor.The Key West World Championship is to kick off with aparade of race boats down the island’s legendary Duval Streetbeginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6.The excitement builds through the week with races Wednesday,Nov. 9; Friday, Nov. 11; and Sunday, Nov. 13. Three races arescheduled per day, each featuring boats from multiple classes.Among spectators’ favorites is the Superboat Unlimited class,which draws powerful contenders that compete at speedsexceeding 125 mph.On nonrace days, powerboat enthusiasts can view the boatsand mingle with racers and crews at the race village on theTruman Waterfront, located at the end of Southard Street pastThomas Street and Truman Annex. In addition, parties andevents are planned for racers and fans.General-admission tickets are available, as are all-inclusiveVIP spectator passes for the Truman Waterfront grandstands.Other popular viewing areas include waterfront hotels andKey West’s Mallory Square.Event information: www.superboat.comKey West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or1-800-LAST-KEYSocial: facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest, twitter.com/thefloridakeys, youtube.com/FloridaKeysTVAño 2011, núm. 9 |31New $330 Million ROAD TO THEFLORIDA KEYS COMPLETEDKey Largo, Florida Keys – A new $330 million road connectingthe South Florida mainland with the Florida Keys is finished.The new “18-Mile Stretch,” a segment of U.S. Highway 1between Florida City and Key Largo, required almost sevenyears to construct. A dedication ceremony marking the end ofthe project was staged on September 28.Officials said the new road features numerous safety,environmental and aesthetic enhancements for residents andvisitors.A concrete median barrier, painted Belize blue asrecommended by marine life artist Wyland, stretches almostthe entire length of the road and should drastically reduce thenumber of serious vehicular accidents.“Number one is safety and we will be able to eliminate 10 to14 critical accidents a year,” said Gus Pego, FDOT’s District 6Secretary.Environmental features include almost 20 culverts andunderpasses for animals such as crocodiles and Floridapanthers to cross safely under the road. Elimination of a landcauseway that once bisected Lake Surprise has restored naturalwater flow to Florida Bay. Outside shoulders and berms werebuilt to prevent road pollutants from washing into FloridaBay.The project’s iconic element, the 1.25-mile-long, 65-foot-highJewfish Creek Bridge, completed in May 2008, has created amore impressive visual driving approach to the Florida Keys.“The new ‘Stretch’ has completely changed the drivingexperience into the Florida Keys,” said Monroe County MayorHeather Carruthers, who is also a member of the region’stourism council.“Not only is it much safer, but when you come over the topof the new Jewfish Creek Bridge, the panoramic vista you seetakes your breath away.”Benito Pinto Rodríguez Photo