There are 28 boats currently signed up for the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce’s “World’s Richest” Tarpon Tournament, with a total of 140 competitors, including captains and anglers.

What some have said would be a slow restart to a long-standing tradition is turning out to be quite something else.

The Inn Marina at The Gasparilla Inn & Club announces its designation as a Florida Clean Marina, one of select marinas in the state qualifying for the Florida Clean Marina Program. To receive this designation, The Inn Marina proved its commitment to environmental stewardship by helping to reduce pollutants reaching Florida’s waterways.

“Our historic resort and full-service public marina attract guests who enjoy fishing, boating and exploring the barrier islands of southwest Florida,” said Jack Damioli, The Gasparilla Inn & Club’s president and general manager. “It’s our responsibility to do whatever we can to preserve this remarkable environment. Being part of the Florida Clean Marina program is an important part of this ongoing mission for our resort.”

This weekend will be the last youth fishing tournament, sponsored by Lee County Parks and Recreation and the Friends of Boca Grande Community Center, for the season.

On Saturday, May 5 at 9 a.m. fishing will begin at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier, located on the north end of the island by Gill’s Grocery.

Lew Hastings, the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, appeared at the second Coastal Cities Summit in St. Petersburg on Tuesday, May 1 to speak on behalf of Boca Grande.

The summit, which brought together experts in the fields of ecotourism, finance, planning and policy, among others, was convened so that community leaders could discuss concerns and solutions to many of the common problems that all coastal cities share.