Sea Grant Notes
Dec 7, 2018
FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE WILL BE POSTING UPDATES FROM OUR CITIZEN SCIENCE MONITORING PROJECTS – This week
LAKEWATCH update. These volunteers monitor nutrients in local waterways. Read the 2018 update at https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2018/08/31/2018-annual-lakewatch-report-for-escambia-county-water-quality/.
2018 BIG LAGOON GREAT SCALLOP SEARCH. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2018/12/05/the-2018-big-lagoon-great-scallop-search-results/.
SAVE THE DATE! FEB 19-20 we will be hosting a today workshop; Day 1 – Lionfish; Day 2 – Artificial Reefs; Workshops will be held in Ft. Walton Beach; registration information coming
WATER QUALITY UPDATES
Health Advisories:
- 2 samples taken this week: Bayou Texar, and Sanders Beach
- HEALTH ADVISORIES ISSUED FOR BOTH BAYOU TEXAR AND SANDERS BEACH
- See complete data table at end of this note
Red Tide: Karenia brevis – Data provided by FWC
- Mid-week Report
- Southwest Florida – High to Medium concentrations found from Pinellas to Collier counties. FISH KILLS reported in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. REPSIRATORY ISSUES reported Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties.
- Northwest Florida – Background to Low concentrations reported for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, bay, Gulf and Franklin counties. FISH KILLS reported in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Gulf counties. REPSIRATORY ISSUES reported in Escambia and Okaloosa counties.
- Southeast Florida – Background levels reported in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. NO FISH KILLS OR RESPIRATORY ISSUES REPORTED
- Today’s Report
- Southwest Florida – Low concentrations continue from Pinellas to Collier counties. FISH KILLS reported from Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier counties. RESPIRATORY ISSUES reported from Manatee, Sarasota, Lee and Collier counties.
- Northwest Florida – Background to low concentrations continue in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Gulf counties. FISH KILLS were reported in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Gulf counties. RESPIRATORY issues were reported in Escambia county.
- East Florida – Background concentrations continues in Palm Beach county; NO FISH KILL OR REPSPIRATORY ISSUES REPORTED FROM EAST COAST
- ARTICLES
- Who is This Creature That Causes Red Tide: Information on Karenia brevis. Rick O’Connor, Florida Sea Grant – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2018/09/21/who-is-the-creature-that-causes-red-tide-information-on-karenia-brevis/.
- Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Red Tide Bloom – Betty Staugler, Florida Sea Grant – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco/2018/08/14/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-2018-red-tide-bloom/.
- Understanding Florida’s Red Tide – Betty Staugler, Florida Sea Grant – https://www.flseagrant.org/news/2018/08/understanding-the-florida-red-tide/.
- Watching and Waiting: Uncertainty About When the Algal Blooms Will End – Dr. Karl Haven, Florida Sea Grant – https://www.flseagrant.org/news/2018/07/watching-and-waiting-uncertainty-about-when-algae-blooms-will-end/.
Fish Kills: Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties – Data provided by FWC
- THERE WAS A REPORT OF DEAD MENHADEN IN ENGLISH NAVY COVE – NEAR SHORELINE PARK IN GULD BREEZE.
- Cause was not reported
- See complete data table at end of note
INVASIVE SPECIES
Lionfish
- SAVE THE DATE – FEB 19-20 Ft. Walton Beach – Lionfish/Artificial Reef Workshop; more information coming
Giant Salvinia
- This plant is a serious noxious weed in our state. It has been reported in Jackson Creek and in Bayou Chico. FWC is currently trying to eradicate it but we are in need of other records. If you believe you have this freshwater plant in a pond near you – please contact us (reply to this email). You can find out more about this plant at http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/salvinia-molesta/.
Beach Vitex:
- WE HAVE FOUND 4 NEW RECORDS OF BEACH VITEX ON PENSACOLA BEACH
- We continue to survey for beach vitex in Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, and Navarre Beach. If you believe you have seen this plant please contact us at roc1@ufl.edu or (850) 475-5230.
- We will begin removing in January.
- Read more about this plant at http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/vitex-rotundifolia/.
CITIZEN SCIENCE MONITORING
Marine Debris Removal
- Ocean Hour – all cleanups begin with sign in at 8:45 – clean ups are from 9:00 – 10:00
- Dec 8: TWO SITES
- Bluff Park on Scenic Highway
- Chimney Park on Scenic Highway
Habitat Restoration and Monitoring
- Living Shoreline
- Fall and winter is a good time to have a living shoreline installed; contact us if interested
Horseshoe Crab Surveys
- We encourage all locals who observe horseshoe crab nesting to contact FWC and report it. You can contact them at horseshoe@myfwc.com or 1-866-252-9326.
- Currently between 2002 and 2017 9 records have been reported from Escambia and 3 from Santa Rosa counties. Read more at http://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/crustaceans/horseshoe-crabs/report-sightings/.
- You can report any sighting of a horseshoe crab at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/horseshoe_crab.
- Best time to find nesting is during high tide of the new and full moon.
- New Moon occurs the week of Dec 2-8; high tides running between 8:00 and 10:00 PM
- Full Moon will be during the week of Dec 16-22; High tides running between 8:00 and 10:00 PM
- If you see a horseshoe crab we would like to know as well, please let the county extension office know – roc1@ufl.edu (850) 475-5230 ext 111
- Annual reports from CS projects will be posted as we complete them. Current reports available are
- LAKEWATCH nutrient monitoring report
- GREAT SCALLOP SEARCH survey report
MARINE LITERACY
Science Hour
- We are almost have our 2019 calendar complete – will post all when we get the last confirmations; Science Hour is a free public presentation on a local science related topic; Typically the 2nd Thursday evening of the month at the Country Central Office Complex
Gulf Coast Seafood in PEAK Season for the Month of December
- Clams (cultured – always in season)
- King Mackerel (this fish does have issues with mercury content – check the following link for more information – https://www.myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/seafood-safety.
- Mullet
- Oysters
- Snapper (always in season for some species; based on harvest regulations – check with local market)
- Spanish Mackerel
- Stone crab
OTHER NOTES
- ISSUE WITH PUBLIC NOT HAVING ACCESS TO PRIVATE BEACHES: News report with Sea Grant Specialist Thomas Ruppert on this topic. http://www.wmnf.org/new-law-privatize-florida-beaches-more-complicated/.
NEW ARTICLES
- The Rattlesnakes are Still Around. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2018/12/04/the-rattlesnakes-are-still-around/.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
- Jan 16 LOCAL WATER QUALITY – Sierra Club Chapter Meeting – Downtown Library – 239 N. Spring Street – 6:00 PM – EVERYONE WELCOME
- Feb 19-20 LIONFISH/ARTIFICIAL WORKSHOP – SAVE THE DATE – Emerald Coast Convention Center – registration required and will be open soon.
Water Quality Data
Enterococcus bacteria scoring rubric for health advisories:
GOOD 0-35 colonies / 100ml
MODERATE 36-70 colonies / 100ml
POOR 71 > colonies / 100ml
Data provided by Florida Department of Health
| Month | Water Body | Good | Moderate | Poor | Advisory Issued |
| Jan | Bayou Texar | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Sanders Beach | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| Feb | Bayou Texar | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Sanders Beach | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |
| Mar | Bayou Texar | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Sanders Beach | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Bayou Chico | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Bayou Grande | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Perdido Key SP | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Casino Beach | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park East | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park West | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Quietwater | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Apr | Bayou Texar | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Sanders Beach | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Bayou Chico | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Bayou Grande | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Perdido Key SP | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Casino Beach | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park East | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park West | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Quietwater | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| May | Bayou Texar | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sanders Beach | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Bayou Chico | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Bayou Grande | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Perdido Key SP | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Casino Beach | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park East | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park West | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Quietwater | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| June | Bayou Texar | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sanders Beach | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Bayou Chico | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Bayou Grande | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Perdido Key SP | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Casino Beach | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park East | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park West | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Quietwater | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Opal Beach | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Johnson’s Beach | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ft. Pickens | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| July | Bayou Texar | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Sanders Beach | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Bayou Chico | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| Bayou Grande | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Perdido Key SP | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Casino Beach | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park East | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park West | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Quietwater | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Opal Beach | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Johnson’s Beach | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ft. Pickens | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Aug | Bayou Texar | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sanders Beach | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Bayou Chico | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Bayou Grande | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Perdido Key SP | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Casino Beach | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park East | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park West | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Quietwater | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Opal Beach | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Johnson’s Beach | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ft. Pickens | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Sep | Bayou Texar | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Sanders Beach | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Bayou Chico | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| Bayou Grande | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Perdido Key SP | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Casino Beach | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park East | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park West | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Quietwater | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Opal Beach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Johnson’s Beach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ft. Pickens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Oct | Bayou Texar | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Sanders Beach | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Bayou Chico | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | |
| Bayou Grande | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Perdido Key SP | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Casino Beach | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park East | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park West | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Quietwater | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Opal Beach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Johnson’s Beach | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ft. Pickens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Nov | Bayou Texar | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Sanders Beach | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |
| Bayou Chico | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Bayou Grande | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Perdido Key SP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Casino Beach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park East | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park West | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Quietwater | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Opal Beach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Johnson’s Beach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ft. Pickens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Dec | Bayou Texar | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sanders Beach | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Bayou Chico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Bayou Grande | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Perdido Key SP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Casino Beach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park East | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Park West | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Quietwater | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Opal Beach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Johnson’s Beach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ft. Pickens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| TOTAL | 134 | 37 | 64 | 46 | |
| Percent | Samples with advisories | .20 |
Health Advisory Frequency
| Body of Water | # of samples | # of advisories | % frequency |
| Bayou Texar | 48 | 21 | .44 |
| Sanders Beach | 59 | 6 | .10 |
| Bayou Chico | 20 | 12 | .60 |
| Bayou Grande | 17 | 8 | .47 |
Fish Kill Data provided by FWC
| Month | # of Fish Kills | # of Dead Fish | Cause |
| Jan | 5 | 107 | Unknown – probably cold |
| Feb | 0 | 0 | |
| Mar | 0 | 0 | |
| Apr | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 1 | 4 | unknown |
| Jun | 0 | 0 | |
| Jul | 0 | 0 | |
| Aug | 0 | 0 | |
| Sep | 0 | 0 | |
| Oct | 1 | ? | Alewives – unknown |
| Nov | 0 | 0 | |
| Dec | 1 | ? | Menhaden – unknown |
| TOTAL | 6 | 111 |
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