Bay Scallop recovery efforts in the waters off Charlotte County will be getting a much needed boost on Sunday, Dec. 16 when 8 million young scallop larvae are released into local waters. The release is being spearheaded by Florida Sea Grant agent Betty Staugler, Charlotte County, with assistance from area volunteers, the Florida Fish and…
Responding to the oyster fishery collapse in Apalachicola Bay, experts with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Florida Sea Grant are joining forces with local seafood producers to find ways of restoring sustainable populations of the area’s world-famous oysters. Apalachicola, a heritage fishing community in the Big Bend region off…
Florida Sea Grant is currently funding research that is the first in the southeastern U.S. to adapt the forerunner of new fisheries models to grouper populations off Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast. The Ecopath modeling software suite generates powerful computer simulations that could help fisheries managers better estimate the size of grouper, snapper and other…
Florida Sea Grant is contributing to Florida’s reputation as a leader in the conservation and management of sharks. In January, a new Florida law went into effect that protects tiger sharks and three species of hammerheads from harvest in state waters. “Florida waters are one of the final bastions for shark diversity in North America,…
The guide is a companion to the popular boat ramp and marina locator map for Citrus County. Scallopers, rejoice! Just in time for the start of the 2012 scalloping season, Florida Sea Grant has published the boat ramp and marina locator map, “Recreational Harvesting of the Florida Bay Scallop: Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach Areas.” Inside,…
Despite the importance of the blue crab fishery to Florida’s coastal communities, derelict blue crab traps are a growing problem. In recent years, however, awareness of the impact derelict traps have on marine life, the environment and public safety has increased. In May 2011, Charlotte County Sea Grant Extension Agent Betty Staugler began a project…
The Steinhatchee Fisheries Management Area (SFMA), in planning and development for more than a decade, has just passed a major milestone, the construction of 452 of 500 planned “fisheries conservation reefs.” This project has been a long-term partnership between UF’s Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), with federal…
Scallops live about one year before either dying off naturally or being eaten by humans, crabs, octopuses, or a variety of shell-crushing fish. They spawn primarily in the fall. After about a two-week period as plankton, larvae develop a small shell and settle onto seagrass blades. They continue to grow while attached to the grass…
Volunteer scallop searches are part of Florida’s efforts to restore bay scallop populations. These are no-take outings conducted in areas presently closed to scalloping. Volunteers snorkel and search for scallops, recording the numbers to help monitor and document the health and status of returning scallop populations. While the numbers may vary from year-to-year, it’s most important…
As commercial and recreational landings of Florida’s spiny lobsters continue to remain below historical levels, new findings about the lobster’s ecology are helping guide management strategies to benefit future populations and the fishing industry. Spiny lobsters are one of the largest commercial fisheries in Florida, and one of the most economically valuable in the Caribbean.…