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…
DetailsGovernor Scott recently signed a bill passed by the Florida Legislature that makes significant changes to comprehensive planning in the state. This brief note is not intended to give a complete summary of the bill, which is almost 200 pages, but to mention some of the most significant changes included in the law before looking more carefully at the implications for planning in coastal communities.
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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…
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Taylor County–well-known to Floridians as home of Steinhatchee, a popular fishing and bay scalloping destination–recently received a boost thanks to a user survey led by Charles Sidman, Florida Sea Grant associate director of research, and Garin Davidson, University of Florida boating and waterway planning program. The 2010 study, Planning for Waterway Access in Taylor County,…
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Hurricane season began June 1, and NOAA’s annual hurricane forecast for the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico calls for 12 to 18 named storms, with six to 10 becoming hurricanes. The agency predicts up to six major hurricanes, with wind speeds above 111 mph. Hurricanes are some of the most devastating weather events to…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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Where will our seafood come from in the future? There has been a truly amazing revolution going on in our lifetime. The past four decades have seen the birth and rapid growth of the world fish farming industry. Currently, almost half (47%) of seafood is produced by farming (also called aquaculture). If the industry continues…
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