Sea Grant Notes
Dec 21, 2018
Photo: Virginia Sea Grant
WATER QUALITY UPDATES
Health Advisories:
- 2 samples taken this week: Bayou Texar, and Sanders Beach
- Both are GOOD – No health advisories issued
- See complete data table at end of this note
Red Tide: Karenia brevis – Data provided by FWC
- Mid-week Report
- Southwest Florida – continue in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties; only Manatee had medium or high concentrations; no fish kills; respiratory issues reported from Manatee, Sarasota, and Lee counties
- Northwest Florida – no reports of red tide from NW Florida
- Southeast Florida – background concentrations reported from Brevard county; no fish kills or respiratory issues reported
- Today’s Report
- Southwest Florida – continues at low or background levels in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties. The only HIGH report came from Manatee; No fish kills were reported; RESPIRTORY ISSUES were reported in Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties
- Northwest Florida – background concentrations were reported from Bay County; No fish kill or respiratory issues reported
- East Florida – background concentrations reported from Brevard County; no fish kills or respiratory issues reported
- NEW ARTICLE FROM SEA GRANT
- Understanding Florida’s Red Tide – Dr. Lisa Krimsky, Betty Staugler, Brittany Hall-Scharf, Krista Stump, and Rebecca Burton, to https://www.flseagrant.org/news/2018/12/understanding-floridas-red-tide/.
- 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
- DEC 1 – DEAD MENHADEN REPORTED NEAR SHORELINE PARK IN GULF BREEZE
- Cause was not reported
- See complete data table at end of note
INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
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 ESTUARY MONITORING
2018 Citizen Science Reports
- 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/.
- 2018 SEAGRASS MONITORING
Marine Debris Removal
- Ocean Hour – all cleanups begin with sign in at 8:45 – clean ups are from 9:00 – 10:00
- Dec 15: TWO SITES
- Ft. Pickens
- Bruce Beach
UPCOMING CITIZEN SCIENCE MONITORING AND SURVEYING PROJECTS
- We are planning several old and new citizen science surveying and monitoring projects in 2019.
- Lakewatch Water Quality Monitoring – this project requires a boat. Volunteers will select three locations on their body of water to monitor once a month. Samples are analyzed at the University of Florida. We do not currently have any estuarine locations but if you have a freshwater lake you are interested, and would be willing to volunteer, contact me. Roc1@ufl.edu.
- Living Shorelines monitoring – we can train you to monitor your living shoreline project. The monitoring takes place in June. If interested in monitoring, or having a living shoreline placed on your property contact me. Roc1@ufl.edu.
- Seagrass monitoring – currently we do not need volunteers for Big Lagoon, but this may change. We do have space for more volunteers in Santa Rosa Sound. Monitoring involves snorkeling a location once a month from May through October. Training for this will be in April – exact location and date TBD.
- Mangrove surveys – training and surveying will occur in June. A paddleboard is best for this, but a kayak will work. If interested, contact me. Roc1@ufl.edu.
- Diamondback terrapin surveys – this project involves surveying for terrapins and their nesting beaches. In some cases, it involves monitoring known nesting beaches. Surveys are conducted once a week during May and June. Some locations require a kayak to reach. Training for this will be in April – exact location and time TBD. If interested, contact me. Roc1@ufl.edu.
- Scallop surveys – this survey project involves snorkeling at selected sites in Big Lagoon and Santa Rosa Sound. Some locations require a boat to reach. Training will be in April – exact location and time TDB. If interested, contact me. Roc1@ufl.
- Horseshoe Crab surveys – this will be a new project this year. We are interested in population numbers and tagging individuals. Volunteers will be trained, and begin monitoring, in April – exact location and time TBD. If interested, contact me. Roc1@ufl.edu.
- Killifish surveys – this is also a new project – it will involve placing, and monitoring, minnow traps in selected creeks that feed our estuaries. Volunteers will check traps and record which species of killifish live in the creeks. Exact details on protocols are being developed. Training will be in April and monitoring will begin in May. We will let you know which creeks we are interested in ASAP. More soon.
- Beach Vitex Surveys – this project involves walking and bike riding searching for the invasive beach vitex along the shores of our bay system. Training will be in August and surveys will begin that month as well. If interested, contact me . roc1@ufl.edu
- Salvinia Surveys –this project involves surveying local lakes and ponds for the invasive giant salivina. Training and surveys will begin in April. If interested, contact me roc1@ufl.edu
MARINE LITERACY
Science Hour
- 2019 SCIENCE HOUR CALENDAR
- Jan 10: Online Fact vs. Fiction – Jane Daugherty; University of West Florida
- Feb 7: Urban Coyote Populations – Catherine Kennedy; FWC
- Mar 14: Emmanuel Point Shipwrecks – Nicole Grinnan; Public Archeology Coordinator
- Apr 11: Beach Safety – Dave Greenwood; Water safety Chief / Pensacola Lifeguards
- May 16: NW Florida Aquatic Preserve Program – Beth Fugate and Zach Schang; FDEP
- Jun 13: Local Invasive Species – Don Buchanan and Rick O’Connor; FWC / Extension
- Jul 11: Mosquito Control – Matthew Mello; Escambia County Mosquito Control
- Aug 8: Vibrio – speaker TBD
- Sep 12: Genetically Modified Organisms – Libbe Johnson; Escambia County Extension
- Oct 10: Climate Task Force Report – Carrie Stevenson; Escambia County Extension
- Nov 14: Bay Bridge & Artificial Reefs – Robert Turpin; Escambia Marine Resources
- Programs will be held in rm 104 of the Central Office Complex; 3363 West Park Place – 6:00 PM
Seafood
- SAVE THE DATE FEB 11 – SEAFOOD SAFETY SYMPOSIUM; 4:00 – 5:30 PM
- Escambia County Central Office Complex – 3363 West Park Place – Room 104 – free!
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
- BLUE CRAB TRAPS
- The recreational and commercial crab trap closure that typically occurs in the Florida panhandle from Jan 4 – 15, will NOT occur this year. All commercial and recreational crab traps may remain in the water this year. This is due to (a) very few derelict crab traps in area waters and (b) impacts from Hurricane Michael.
- GAG GROUPER
- Gag will close in both state and federal Gulf waters beginning Jan 1. Will reopen Jun 1 and extend to the end of the year.
NEW ARTICLES
- Native Evergreen Christmas Trees to Rebuild the Panhandle – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/.
- Seagrass Monitoring Underway in Pensacola – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
- Jan 16 LOCAL WATER QUALITY – Sierra Club Chapter Meeting – Downtown Library – 239 N. Spring Street – 6:00 PM – EVERYONE WELCOME
- FEB 11 – SEAFOOD SAFETY SYMPOSIUM; 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Escambia County Central Office Complex – 3363 West Park Place – Room 104 – free!
- 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 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Sanders Beach | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| 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 | 136 | 37 | 67 | 48 | |
| Percent | Samples with advisories | .20 |
Health Advisory Frequency
| Body of Water | # of samples | # of advisories | % frequency |
| Bayou Texar | 50 | 22 | .44 |
| Sanders Beach | 62 | 7 | .11 |
| 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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