Catch and release fishing is an important conservation tool that helps to sustain native fish populations by allowing more fish to remain and reproduce in the ecosystem. This practice provides an opportunity for more people to enjoy fishing… Read More
Updated 03/15/20 As we continue to monitor COVID-19 in Florida, I wanted to take a moment to update our UF/IFAS Extension community about our current status, best practices and next steps. Please call your local UF/IFAS Extension office… Read More
With red tide in southwest Florida giving us a reprieve, it’s a good time to think about the future. Red tides have occurred in Florida 57 of the last 66 years, so we should expect future events. But… Read More
2019 is almost gone; where did the time go? I should have seen this coming. I mean after all; holiday decorations started popping up in stores in October… or was it September; I’m sure I’m not the alone… Read More
Red tide is once again blooming off the Southwest Florida coast. This current bloom first surfaced in Collier County in late September, and since then has expanded along the southwest Florida coast. Red tide is an example of a harmful algal bloom, or… Read More
Marine and freshwater fish support important angling industries that provide substantial benefit to local economies. Although catch and release – both voluntary and mandatory – aims to conserve fish stocks, its effectiveness is dependent on the survival and… Read More
Being neutrally buoyant, or weightless in the water, allows fish to minimize the energy expenditure required to stay at a particular depth to feed, hide, reproduce or migrate. For a fish to be buoyant, it must displace an… Read More
BY Ralph E. Mitchell Beyond the plants found in our tropical/subtropical landscapes, another enjoyable aspect of this environment is the wildlife it attracts. Birds often highlight this facet of wildlife including the small living jewels we call hummingbirds. … Read More
Did you know, there are over 800 fish species in the world that can purposefully make sounds? Fish make sounds for many reasons, including during feeding, defending or advertising territory, finding mates, courtship and spawning. Sound is important… Read More
Eyes on Seagrass In Charlotte County, local Eyes on Seagrass volunteers have completed their seagrass surveys in upper Charlotte Harbor. This was the first year of our new citizen science survey, which involved trained volunteers collecting seagrass and… Read More
