Chris Wittman is the co-founder of Captains For Clean Water, a grassroots conservation organization fighting to restore Florida's water quality and protect its fisheries. In this episode of the Tom Rowland Podcast, Chris shares the origin story of Captains For Clean Water, reveals the specific policy battles they've fought in Tallahassee and Washington D.C., and explains the science behind the water discharges that are destroying South Florida's estuaries. You'll hear about the power of grassroots organizing, the relationship between fishing guides and water quality, and why Chris believes anglers have a responsibility to get involved in conservation. This conversation goes deep into the intersection of fishing, science, policy, and activism.
What is Captains For Clean Water?
Captains For Clean Water is a grassroots conservation organization co-founded by Chris Wittman and Daniel Andrews to fight for clean water and healthy fisheries in South Florida. The organization formed in response to toxic water discharges from Lake Okeechobee that were destroying coastal estuaries and the fishing economy that depends on them.
Who is Chris Wittman?
Chris Wittman is a fishing guide and co-founder of Captains For Clean Water, a conservation organization focused on restoring water quality in South Florida. He works alongside his co-founder Daniel Andrews to advocate for policy changes at the state and federal level to address toxic water discharges from Lake Okeechobee into coastal estuaries.
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Chris Wittman and Daniel Andrews didn't set out to become conservation activists. They were fishing guides who watched in horror as toxic water discharges from Lake Okeechobee turned their home waters into dead zones. The discharges destroyed fish populations, shut down guiding seasons, and threatened livelihoods. But instead of accepting it as inevitable, they decided to fight back. Chris explains how they mobilized other captains, built a grassroots organization from scratch, and took their fight to Tallahassee and Washington D.C. The story of how two guides with zero political experience built one of the most effective conservation organizations in Florida is remarkable. The origin story of Captains For Clean Water starts early in the episode.
The Science Behind the Water Crisis
Chris breaks down exactly what's happening when Lake Okeechobee discharges millions of gallons of polluted fresh water into coastal estuaries. It's not just about volume—it's about the nitrogen, phosphorus, and other pollutants that fuel toxic algae blooms and destroy seagrass beds. The science is complex, but Chris makes it understandable. He explains why the discharges happen, what alternatives exist, and why the current system prioritizes agriculture over ecology. If you've ever wondered why South Florida's water looks the way it does, or why fisheries collapse after discharge events, this section delivers the answers. Chris explains the science behind the discharges and their impact on estuaries throughout the conversation.
Hear Chris explain how grassroots organizing changed Florida water policy
Fighting Policy Battles in Tallahassee
When Chris and Daniel started Captains For Clean Water, they had to learn how to navigate the political system while maintaining their authenticity as fishing guides. Chris shares specific stories from their early days lobbying in Tallahassee—meeting with legislators who had never heard from fishing guides, learning how to present data effectively, and building coalitions with unlikely allies. The organization grew from a handful of angry captains to thousands of supporters who showed up at hearings, packed town halls, and made their voices impossible to ignore. Chris reveals the strategies that worked, the mistakes they made, and the moment they realized they had real political power. The details of their political strategy and early wins are discussed throughout the episode.
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SubscribeWhy Anglers Must Get Involved
Chris makes a compelling case for why every angler has a responsibility to engage in conservation and policy. He explains that the fishing industry generates billions in economic impact, yet anglers historically haven't organized as effectively as other interest groups. The consequence is that water policy gets made without consideration for fisheries or the people who depend on them. Chris talks about how Captains For Clean Water changed that dynamic in Florida, and why similar efforts are needed across the country. He also addresses the common excuses people make for not getting involved and offers practical steps anyone can take to make a difference. This isn't preachy activism—it's a practical guide for how to protect the waters you care about. Chris's call to action for anglers comes later in the conversation.
Don't miss this one.
A masterclass in grassroots conservation from someone who's actually doing the work.
Key Takeaways
- • Chris Wittman and Daniel Andrews built Captains For Clean Water from scratch in response to toxic water discharges destroying South Florida fisheries—and the organization grew into one of the most effective conservation voices in the state.
- • The water discharges from Lake Okeechobee aren't just about volume—they carry nitrogen, phosphorus, and pollutants that fuel algae blooms and destroy seagrass beds critical to healthy fisheries.
- • Chris reveals how they learned to navigate Tallahassee politics as outsiders, building coalitions and presenting data in ways that legislators couldn't ignore.
- • Fishing generates billions in economic impact, but anglers historically haven't organized as effectively as other interest groups—which is why fisheries often lose in policy decisions.
- • Chris offers practical steps for anglers who want to get involved in conservation but don't know where to start.
- • The success of Captains For Clean Water proves that grassroots organizing can win even when you're up against entrenched political and economic interests.
Final Thoughts from Tom
This conversation with Chris Wittman is one of the most important we've had on this podcast. If you care about fishing, if you care about clean water, if you care about having a voice in the decisions that affect the places you love—you need to hear this story. Chris and Daniel didn't have political connections or deep pockets. They were just two guides who refused to accept that their home waters had to be sacrificed. And they built something powerful.
What impressed me most is how strategic they've been. They didn't just show up angry—they showed up with data, with coalition partners, with thousands of people ready to make their voices heard. They learned the system and then beat the system at its own game. That's how you win in conservation.
If you've ever felt powerless watching a fishery collapse or a watershed get destroyed, listen to this episode. Chris proves that ordinary people can make extraordinary change when they organize and fight smart. This one's worth your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Captains For Clean Water?
Captains For Clean Water is a grassroots conservation organization co-founded by fishing guides Chris Wittman and Daniel Andrews to fight for clean water and healthy fisheries in South Florida. The organization formed in response to toxic water discharges from Lake Okeechobee destroying coastal estuaries and the fishing economy.
Why does Lake Okeechobee discharge water into coastal estuaries?
Lake Okeechobee discharges occur when water levels in the lake get too high, threatening the integrity of the Herbert Hoover Dike. The Army Corps of Engineers releases massive volumes of polluted fresh water east and west into coastal estuaries to lower lake levels, but these discharges carry nitrogen, phosphorus, and other pollutants that destroy marine ecosystems.
How did Chris Wittman start Captains For Clean Water?
Chris Wittman and Daniel Andrews started Captains For Clean Water after watching toxic water discharges destroy their guiding businesses and local fisheries. They mobilized other fishing guides, built a grassroots organization, and learned how to navigate state and federal policy processes to advocate for water quality reforms.
What impact do water discharges have on South Florida fisheries?
Water discharges from Lake Okeechobee devastate South Florida fisheries by altering salinity levels, fueling toxic algae blooms, and destroying seagrass beds that fish depend on. The discharges kill fish populations, shut down guiding seasons, and cause long-term damage to coastal ecosystems that take years to recover.
How can anglers get involved in water conservation?
Anglers can get involved in water conservation by supporting organizations like Captains For Clean Water, attending public hearings, contacting elected representatives, and showing up when policy decisions are being made. Chris Wittman emphasizes that anglers have tremendous economic and political power when they organize collectively.
Related Episodes
Another deep dive into Florida water policy and the people fighting to restore natural water flow.
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Stories from conservation leaders who built movements from the ground up.
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About this Guest
Chris Wittman
Chris Wittman is a fishing guide and co-founder of Captains For Clean Water, a grassroots conservation organization fighting to restore water quality and protect fisheries in South Florida. Alongside co-founder Daniel Andrews, Chris has built one of the most effective conservation voices in Florida, advocating for policy changes at the state and federal level to address toxic water discharges from Lake Okeechobee. His work demonstrates the power of grassroots organizing and the critical role anglers play in environmental advocacy.
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