Midnight Pass is a natural inlet in Sarasota, Florida that was once a vital route for wildlife, fishers, and boaters. The pass was closed in the 1980s, but hurricanes Milton and Helene reopened it in 2021. Midnight Pass now open and 

Midnight Pass was a once-stable and naturally occurring inlet that has been part of the area's geography for hundreds of years. Historical charts from the 1840s referred to it as “Buccaneers Pass” as it separated Siesta and Casey Keys before being renamed to Midnight Pass. Though reshaped by a hurricane in the early 1920s, the Pass itself remained intact. One notable aspect of Midnight Pass is its movement over time. Historical records indicate that this active inlet has migrated north and south across a three-mile stretch of coastline over the past century. The situation changed significantly in the early 1960s due to the deepening of the IntraCoastal Waterway (ICW) and the inappropriate deposit of over 200,000 cubic yards of sandy spoil material. This disruption led to the northern channel shoaling in, prompting Midnight Pass to shift northward. The southern channel then bore most of the waterflow, which contributed to the accumulation of trees in navigable waters, worsening the shoaling issue. In the mid-1970s, local efforts to address these changes went unheeded. By 1980, Sarasota County had acquired land in the area for the purpose of relocating and stabilizing Midnight Pass, but no actions were taken. The topic sparked controversy among locals, particularly as various "experts" weighed in on potential solutions. Ultimately, on December 5, 1983, two beachfront residents on Siesta Key closed the pass to protect their homes from erosion caused by the inlet's northern migration, vowing to re-establish it later in a safer location. Syd Solomon and Pasco Carter Jr. made numerous attempts to dredge open the inlet, but their financial difficulties led them to seek relief from the Sarasota County Commission, which ultimately resulted in no action to reopen the channel. Following the closure of Midnight Pass, there was a noticeable reluctance among local officials and environmental authorities to take necessary steps to protect Little Sarasota Bay. While there have been multiple legal and grassroots attempts to address the situation, none have successfully reinstated the pass. In 1985, proponents of reopening the pass formed the Midnight Pass Society, which temporarily achieved some success with a shovel brigade, but government action ultimately shut the channel down again. The consequences of closing the Pass have severely affected the water quality in the Bay, contributing to the decline of many salinity-dependent clams and a spectacular loss of the oyster population, with millions dying due to stagnant water conditions and sediment accumulation. Seagrass ecosystems have also taken a hit, with nearly 70% of the seagrass beds in Roberts and Little Sarasota Bays diminished. Once home to three types of seagrass, Little Sarasota Bay is now left with only Cuban Shoal weed, as Turtle and Manatee grasses have disappeared entirely in some regions. Additionally, Midnight Pass played a crucial role in the migration of fish, shrimp, and marine mammals. Over the years, the local fishing industry has abandoned the area as access to the Gulf has been hindered, resulting in diminished opportunities for sport fishing and recreational boating.