Before 1984, Little Sarasota Bay was directly connected to the Gulf of Mexico through a natural waterway known as Midnight Pass. This “saltwater doorway” separated the barrier islands of Casey Key and Siesta Key, allowing fresh water to flow freely into the bay. This exchange helped flush out debris and supported a healthy, thriving ecosystem with clean, blue waters. In 1984, the Army Corps of Engineers closed off Midnight Pass as part of the construction of the Intracoastal Waterway, cutting off the bay’s direct link to the Gulf. Since then, the closure has sparked ongoing controversy, particularly due to its negative impact on the local ecosystem and water quality. Residents have tried to reopen Midnight Pass for decades without success but when Mother Nature stepped in with back to back hurricanes, their goal of reopening Midnight Pass was achieved. Locals are now hoping the county can figure out how to keep it that way. According to the nonprofit group Restore Midnight Pass, “The new hydrology would improve water circulation, reduce pollution, and increase the viable breeding areas for shrimp, clam, and oysters, all of which are now gone due to the stagnation of the waterways. Restoring the Pass would revitalize the sea grasses, permitting new fish varieties and birds in the immediate vicinity, and restore the crystal blue of the Gulf waters.” 

DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY OF MIDNIGHT PASS BY WES/GRIFFIN ROBERTS.