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…
As many readers know, Northern Right Whales visit the coastal waters of northeast Florida each winter and are often close enough to be seen from shore. Most of the visiting whales are females who have traveled to our waters to give birth to their calves. They are accompanied by other females, and some juvenile right…
Assisting injured animals may seem like a great idea; however, in disasters what seems helpful can be harmful and even dangerous. Picking up an animal that has been exposed to crude oil is a bad idea for several reasons. First, oil is a hazardous material that can cause damage if it comes into direct contact…
Artificial reefs have become an increasingly important fishing opportunity for Florida anglers, yet reefs are created and deployed to achieve a wide range of goals. The 2010 Florida Artificial Reef Summit brought together noted experts, artificial reef managers, and fisheries scientists from around the state and nation to discuss current issues, hear the latest research,…
On a recent boat trip in the Intracoastal Waterway from Palm Coast to Fort Matanzas, it was interesting to notice the variety of shorelines present in the region. They ranged from fully-vegetated salt marsh to eroding banks to various styles of seawalls. In looking at a series of aerial maps of the region, we can…
UF research improves production of sea oats essential to beach survival by Stu Hutson, UF/IFAS News It might be easy for the casual beachgoer to write off sea oats as mere weeds. However, the lanky grass holds the soil of beach dunes, making it a keystone of the natural barrier between land and water —…
Lost and abandoned blue crab traps pose a problem in Florida’s commercial and recreational fishing industries by continuing to trap fish and crustaceans. Traps can also pose a marine hazard. Efforts to clean them up are receiving a major boost in 2009, due to a new rule approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation…
The spectacularly beautiful lionfish with its undulating venomous spines is quite the sight to see, but its invasion of Caribbean coral reefs may pose a very serious threat. For the past five years or so, I have been reading about the population explosion of lionfish in the Caribbean. However, the magnitude of the problem did…
Many of the issues affecting coastal residents and marine ecosystems are regional in scope, crossing the borders of many states. In the southeastern USA, examples of major regional issues include: protecting coastal communities from hurricanes; understanding the risk of sea-level rise and developing effective adaptation strategies; predicting the occurrence and impacts of harmful algal blooms;…