TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay’s award-winning beaches are a part of life for our community. The water may simply be for enjoyment for some, while for others it’s a way to make a living. A Tampa nonprofit is launching a new tool to help keep our water clean for all who rely on it.

What You Need To Know

  •  Tampa Bay Waterkeeper launched its new Patrol Program

  •  Users can scan a QR code to report any environmental issues they see while out on the water

  •  The goal is to collect information about areas of concern and take action

Tampa Bay Waterkeeper recently announced its Patrol Program. The pollution detecting and reporting initiative is meant to help the organization identify areas of concern so they can take action.

“I’ve found that it can be quite difficult to figure out who to contact, what entity or agency to contact for certain issues,” said executive director Justin Tramble. “The goal of this program is to simplify the process so that there’s no real barrier to reporting things that you see.”

All it takes is a simple scan of a QR code on your phone to report any issues you see while out on the water, including algae blooms, injured wildlife and illegal dumping.

“We’ve lost in Tampa Bay 30 percent of our sea grass since 2016, we’re on a downward trend,” Tramble said. “It’s no secret that we’re not in the greatest place in terms of our water quality. We’re just a few years removed from one of the worst environmental disasters that our region’s ever seen in Piney Point.”

Tramble said Tampa Bay’s water quality directly ties into our area’s economic prosperity. He said the goal of the new reporting initiative is to keep our water fishable, swimmable and drinkable.

So far, Tampa Bay Waterkeeper has gotten more than 100 requests for their QR code stickers from boaters, Tramble said. Over the next couple of weeks, the organization will be distributing the stickers to various businesses – such as marinas, bait and tackle shops and charter companies – to make them as accessible as possible.

“In the past, people have had a hard time really getting involved,” Tramble said. “These big issues are complex. This is a way that’s tangible and attainable for the community to really make a difference and we’re really excited about what this patrol program is going to do.”

Anyone can request a QR code sticker from the organization to access the Patrol Program reporting tool. Learn more about the program.