Local fishermen and business owners want more docks in Sarasota

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Charter fishermen and water users say there needs to be more access to the water.

Captain Doug Ricciardi says with more than 20,000 registered vessels and only about a dozen places to launch boats, something in Sarasota County needs to give.

County officials see that need and said they’re working to add more places to launch, dock, park, and operate business.

Sarasota County Public Works Director Nicole Rissler said out of a pool of hundreds of potential properties the county could purchase, about 29 locations offer ideal access to water, space, and square footage for new boat ramps.

Ricciardi said it can’t come soon enough.

“Not only for fishing but to go to the beach… That’s something that we need to pay attention to… The cleanliness and accessibility to the water,” he said.

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