Activities
Opinion: Snapper limits are good medicine
It might not seem like it to everyone, but like it or not, the new limits being discussed on commercial and recreational red snapper fishing are good medicine.
Those limits, should they go into effect in January, would limit recreational fishermen to only two red snappers, down from the current limit of four. Charter boat operators and crew would not be allowed to take any red snapper while operating. And commercial operators would see the minimum size requirement reduced to 13 inches from 15.
Although the decrease in limit size would to indicate an increase in the commercial catch, in reality it's a better strategy for species conservation because fish mortality is high once caught. Fewer fish thrown back means fewer undersized fish needlessly killed by commercial operators.
Christmas at the Fort
If you're planning to be on Dauphin Island the weekend of December 9th and 10th, you will want to stop by the 22nd installment of Christmas at the Fort, at Fort Gaines Historic Site on Dauphin Island.
Christmas at the Fort is a traditional celebration patterned after a letter written home by James M. Williams with the 21st Alabama Infantry Volunteers stationed at Fort Gaines in 1861. Organizers of this living history weekend have built Christmas at the Fort as a non-commercial celebration for the whole family. The kids can make Christmas ornaments from seashells and visit with father noel. The whole family will enjoy cooking demonstrations, candle dipping, blacksmithing and much more. Christmas at the Fort runs December 9th and 10th.
November Dauphin Island Property Owners Association meeting Highlights
These are the highlights of the monthly POA Board Meeting which was held on November 11, 2006.
New Medical Facility
Joyce Allen, Building Inspector and Project Director of the Town of Dauphin Island presented details of a new medical facility to be coming soon to Dauphin Island. Dr. David Jenkins, who specializes in internal medicine and cardiology, is a resident of the island. Dr. Jenkins attended the meeting and spoke about the new facility, which he will head.
The building will be located behind Dauphin Island Town Hall. The facility will be open during regular business hours but doctors will be on call 24/7 for medical emergency services. The facility will offer full medical services, including radiology and lab capabilities.
13th annual "Colonial Isle Dauphine"
The 13th annual "Colonial Isle Dauphine" will take place on Dauphin Island at the Fort Gaines Historic Site from 9am to 5pm on November 12-13.
This living history weekend will explore various aspects of life on the Gulf Coast in the early 1800's. Soldiers in uniforms reminiscent of the era will demonstrate drills and firing of the fort's cannon. Women will cook over an open hearth. Traders will be nearby displaying their wares for sale to fort denizens.
Fort Gaines Historic Site is located at 51 Bienville Blvd. on the eastern tip of Dauphin Island.
Next up, the 2006 Alabama Coastal BirdFest
If you haven't already done so, mark your calendar for the weekend of October 19-22. That's the weekend of this year's Alabama Coastal BirdFest, which promises to be the biggest and best ever.
This year’s Alabama Coastal BirdFest will include nearly 20 great tours on the 240-mile long Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. It's an outstanding opportunity to get a guided visit to the Alabama Gulf Coast's best birding spots at the perfect time of the year for birding.
The 2006 Alabama Coastal BirdFest will also play host to two evening events sure to please, and a free day-long Bird & Conservation Expo.
At BirdFest’s opening night reception on Thursday, Oct. 19th, a panel of three distinguished ornithologists will discuss Hurricanes & Habitat: How Wildlife Survives. The panel includes
- Dr. John Dindo, Assistant Director and a Senior Marine Scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
- Roger Clay, Non-Game Wildlife Biologist, ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division
- Eric Soehren, Terrestrial Zoologist, ADCNR Natural Heritage Section State Lands Division
This year we are repeating some of our most popular tours from past festivals, and adding something new. We have three new tours to Dauphin Island that include an excursion on Mobile Bay on the Dauphin Island Sea Lab research vessel, the A.E. Verrill, a 65-foot ocean-going craft. Not only will we see the birds of Mobile Bay, but marine biologists from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab will be with us to examine specimens caught in a trawl.
- John Borom, president of Mobile Bay Audubon Society
Registration for the 2006 Alabama Coastal BirdFest is now open.