Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Vero Beach is the perfect place to ditch the car for a bike, as even kids can easily pedal to
restaurants, hotels and the beach. Rent kayaks and toodle around Indian River Lagoon.
WHAT'S AILING THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON?
The Indian River Lagoon is the largest marine nursery in the US and the most biologically
diverse estuary in North America. Straddling temperate and subtropical zones, the la-
goon (actually an ecosystem of three separate estuaries) stretches 156 miles from New
Smyrna to Jupiter Inlet and is washed by tidal waters through six inlet channels. The res-
ulting warm, shallow, soupy water is a dynamic environment for 4300 species of animal,
plant and bird and exploring it is one of the true highlights of this coastline.
But all is not well in this natural paradise. Three consecutive years of heavy rain since
2011 have caused unprecedented run-off from Lake Okeechobee, lowered the salinity of
the lagoon, flushed it with silt and drawn in high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous from
industrial agriculture and domestic fertiliser. The result has been a 60% decline in
seagrass beds (47,000 acres) and a blooming of red macro algae that is poisonous for
many lagoon dwellers. The year 2013 saw a dramatic 'mortality event' among the la-
goon's mammalian population, with 84 recorded dolphin deaths and over 120 dead
manatees.
Local protests at the Lake Okeechobee run-off triggered a congressional briefing in
Washington seeking federal money to fix the afflicted lagoon, but so far only the water
district has committed $3.7 million and four teams of scientists to investigate what's go-
ing on; a full report is due in 2017. With an annual economic impact of $4 billion and thou-
sands of livelihoods at stake, figuring out what's ailing the lagoon is the single biggest en-
vironmental and economic challenge facing the Sunshine State.
Sleeping
Caribbean Court Boutique Hotel
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
( 772-231-7211;
www.thecaribbeancourt.com
;
1601 S Ocean Dr; r & ste $139-230; )
In a quiet residential area a block off South Beach, this lovely spot expertly blends under-
stated elegance with a casual beach vibe. Bougainvillea and palm trees hide a small garden
pool, and handsome white-washed rooms with earthy accents have rattan furnishings, dec-
