Mar 8, 2019 Sea Grant Notes
Roy Hyatt’s Night of Nature – Friday Mar 8 – 5:30-8:30 PM
This is a fun family event where everyone can enjoy the woods at night and learn about our evening wildlife. 1300 Tobias Road. Cantonment.
Science Hour – Emmanuel Point Shipwreck – Mar 14 – 6:00
Nicole Grinnan, from Public Archeology, will discuss the Emmanuel Point shipwrecks. Escambia County Central Office Complex – 3363 West Park Place – 6:00 PM.
Water Quality
Health Advisories
- THIS WEEK 8 NEW STATIONS ADDED TO THE LIST – 6 stations were sampled on Mar 4 and 4 stations on Mar 5 (FDOH)
- POOR – Bayou Chico, Bayou Texar, Sanders Beach
- HEALTH ADVISORY ISSUED – Bayou Chico, Bayou Texar
- MODERATE – Bayou Grande, Perdido Key State Park
- GOOD – Big Lagoon SP, Casino Beach, Park East, Park West, Quietwater
- 2019 data at end of these notes
Rainfall
- Rainfall collected weekly from East Hill (UF IFAS)
- Jan (2.1”) Feb (1.5”) Mar (0.7”)
Red Tide
- No reports in Florida panhandle. (FWC)
- Red tide continues to appear in low background levels along the SW coast of Florida. Respiratory issues were reported but no fish kills.
- No reports from the east coast of Florida this week.
Fish Kills
- No fish kills reported from the Pensacola Bay area for February 2019 (FWC).
Oil Spill Publications
- When an oil spill takes place, who is responsible for cleaning it up and—more importantly—who pays for it? A new Sea Grant fact sheet details two of the federal laws that govern oil spill response. Federal emergency response framework for oil spills: Stafford Act and Oil Pollution Act can be read and downloaded at http://masgc.org/oilscience/OPA-vs-Stafford.pdf. I can also provide hard copies upon request.
- Space is still available to attend Birds & oil spills in Baton Rouge on February 28. The free all-day event will feature a range of speakers on academic research, veterinary pathology, natural resource management, oil spill response, and other areas of avian expertise. Lunch will be provided to registered participants and a live webinar will be offered for those who cannot be there in person. To learn more about the seminar or sign up to attend, go to https://gulfseagrant.org/2019/02/18/birds-fly-into-focus-at-february-oil-spill-science-seminar/.
Habitat Restoration
- Winter is a good time to plant a living shoreline; if interested contact me.
- Big Lagoon seagrass monitoring training – Apr 10 – SW Branch library – 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
- OCEAN HOUR Clean Ups Mar 9
- – Bay Bluffs – Scenic Highway
- – Chimney Park – Scenic Highway
Clean Ups begin at 9:00 and supplies are provided
Wildlife & Fisheries
- Diamondback terrapin survey trainings – Perdido Key area – Apr 10 – SW Branch Library on Gulf Beach Highway / across from state park – 10:00 AM-12:00 PM.
- Diamondback terrapin survey trainings – Navarre/Garcon area – Apr 15 – Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center on Navarre Beach – 9:00-10:00 AM.
- 2019 Port St. Joe Scallop Season set for Aug 16-Sep15.
- Scallop search training – TO BE RE-SCHEDULED
- Horseshoe crab survey training – TBA
- Killifish survey training – TBA
- Shore-based Shark Fishing Rules
- – All shore-based shark fishermen 16 years or older will be required to have a no-cost permit
- – Those under 16 years of age will be required to complete an education program unless fishing with someone 16 years or older who has the permit
- – No chumming
- – Required to immediately cut line on all protected species of sharks – do NOT land the shark first – required to have tool to do such
- – Required to use non-offset/non-stainless circle hooks when shark fishing (true from boats as well)
- 2019 Red Snapper season set – Jun 11 – Jul 12 (with possible fall season if quota is not met). Applies to all private recreational vessels fishing state or federal waters. All charters who do not have federal reef fish permits and are limited to state waters.
- Gray Triggerfish Opens March 1 – Information: The recreational gray triggerfish season in Gulf state and federal waters will reopen to harvest March 1.
Before fishing for triggerfish from a private recreational vessel, you must sign up for the Gulf Reef Fish Survey at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Invasive Species
- REPORT SKIN ULCERATIONS IN LIONFISH. The University of Florida is asking divers to report any cases of lionfish with skin ulcers to the FWC. You can do this buy calling the FWC Hotline (1-800-636-0511), or visit public.myFWC.com/FWRI/FishKillReport/Submit.aspx, or use the FWC reporter app. Information needed includes: (1) date of occurrence, (2) location, (3) water temperature, and (4) photos. Read more at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa209.
- 2019 Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day / Emerald Coast Open: The Largest Lionfish Tournament in History. This is the classic Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day (LRAD) we have had in Pensacola the last four years – this year, it moves to Destin. There will be cash, gear, and other prizes for spearfishing tournament participants. The pre-tournament submission in lionfish has begun and will continue until May 15. Entry fee is $75 before April 1 and $100 after. Learn more at http://emeraldcoastopen.com. The public event will be May 18-19 at AJ’s on the HarborWalk Village at Destin Harbor. 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day. There will be education and kid booths, lionfish tasting, and live music. Follow the festival on Facebook.
- Beach vitex – We are still trying to remove beach vitex from Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. If you believe you have this plant – let us know.
- Giant salvinia – FWC is currently suspending all aquatic invasive removals using herbicides. They will host a series of public meetings to discuss the use of herbicides. Dates and locations TBA. Until then, citizens are asked to remove invasive from local waterways by hand. One local concern is Giant Salvinia. This plant has been found in the Jackson Lakes and upper reaches of Bayou Chico. It is still cold, but when temperatures warm – search for this plant and remove using a crab net (or something similar). Plants should be dried and bagged before disposal. This link has more about this plant. http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/salvinia-molesta/.
Seafood
- Local Seafood in Peak Season for March
- – Softshell blue crab
- – Cultured clams
- – Oysters
- – Pompano
- – Pink shrimp
- – Snapper (check annual regulations)
- – Spanish mackerel (no more than one serving per week)
- Seafood Safety Guidelines – Escambia County Division of Marine Resources – https://www.myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/seafood-safety.
Environmental Literacy
- 2019 SCIENCE HOUR SCHEDULE; programs are held at the Escambia County Central Office Complex; 3363 West Park Place; they begin at 6:00 PM and are free
- – Mar 14 Emmanuel Point Shipwreck Nicole Grinnan, Public Archeology
- – Apr 11 Beach Safety Dave Greenwood, Water Safety Chief
- – May 16 NW Florida Aquatic Preserves Beth Fugate, FDEP
- – Jun 13 Invasive Species Don Buchanon (FWC) Rick O’Connor
- – Jul 11 Mosquito Control Matthew Mello, Escambia County
- – Aug 8 Bears TBD
- – Sep 12 Genetically Modified Organisms Libbie Johnson, County UF Extension
- – Oct 10 Online Fact vs. Fiction Jane Daugherty, UWF
- – Nov 14 Bay Bridge & Artificial Reefs Robert Turpin, Escambia County
New Articles
- The 2019 Emerald Coast Open: The Largest Lionfish Tournament in History – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2019/03/06/the-2019-emerald-coast-open-the-largest-lionfish-tournament-in-history/.
- 2019 Northwest Florida Regional Artificial Reef Conference – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2019/03/06/2019-northwest-florida-regional-artificial-reef-conference/.
- So, What’s Up with the Lionfish? Comments from the Recent Regional Lionfish Workshop – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2019/03/06/so-whats-up-with-the-lionfish-comments-from-the-recent-regional-workshop/.
- Selected Exotic Pets No Longer Allowed in Florida – http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2019/03/05/selected-exotic-pets-no-longer-allowed-in-florida/.
Upcoming Programs
- Mar 8 – Roy Hyatt’s Night of Nature – This annual event will welcome the public to tour the facility at Roy Hyatt Environmental Center. There will be naturalist hikes down the trails, star gazing with telescopes, and live birds of prey and reptiles. There will be food, great for all ages. RHEC is at 1300 Tobias Road off of highway 97 in Cantonment. 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Free
- Mar 14 Science Hour; Emmanuel Point Shipwrecks – Nicole Grinnan, from Public Archeology, will discuss the Emmanuel Point shipwrecks; SCIENCE HOUR; Escambia County Central Office Complex – 3363 West Park Place; 6:00 PM; free
- Mar 26 – The Perdido Chamber Breakfast Event – Presentations will be made members of county staff and the extension office. $10 for breakfast if you are a member, $15 if you are not. The doors open at 7:00 AM and the event begins at 7:30 AM. Eden Condominiums 16281 Perdido Key Drive.
- Apr 10 Seagrass, and Terrapin Monitoring Training – This is for volunteers in the Perdido Key area. We will meet at the SW Branch Library on Gulf Beach highway across from the State Park entrance at 10:00 AM. Seagrass training will be first, the trainings will end no later than 12:00 PM. Contact me for more information. Free.
- Apr 11 – Science Hour; Beach Safety – Dave Greenwood from Escambia County Water Safety will discuss water safety issues as we enter the swimming season. Program will be held at the Escambia County Central Office Complex – 3363 West Park Place; 6:00 PM and is free.
- Apr 13 – Earth Day – Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center – Lots of information tables, activities, and education on local natural resources. Fun for kids. 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Free.
- Apr 15 – Diamondback Terrapin Monitoring Training – This is for volunteers on Navarre Beach, Pensacola Beach, and the Garcon area. We will meet at the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center on Navarre Beach from 9:00 – 10:00 AM. Free.
- Apr 27 – Escambia County Extension Open House – Come see and hear about all the programs that your local extension office puts on. There will be short presentations throughout the morning, as well as information tables, and the Escambia County Master Gardener Plant Sale. 8:30 – 11:30 AM. 3740 Stefani Road Cantonment FL. Free.
- Apr 27 – Born to Be Wild Celebration – The spring open house for the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida. 12:00 – 3:30 PM. 105 N. “S” Street. Free.
- May 16 – Science Hour; Florida Department of Environmental Protections Aquatic Preserves – Beth Fugate and Zach Schang will discuss the mission and projects with the Aquatic Preserve section of FDEP. Escambia County Central Office Complex – 3363 West Park Place; 6:00 PM. Free.
HEALTH ADVISORY DATA
Enterococcus bacteria count rubric for health advisories (Florida Department of Health)
GOOD 0-35 colonies/100ml of sample
MODERATE 36-70 colonies/100ml
POOR 71> colonies/100ml
Data provided by the Florida Department of Health’s Healthy Beaches Program
| Month | Water Body | Good | Moderate | Poor | Health Advisory Issued |
| Jan | Bayou Texar | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sanders Beach | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Feb | Bayou Texar | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Sanders Beach | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
| Mar | Bayou Texar | 1 | 1 | ||
| Sanders Beach | 1 | ||||
| Bayou Chico | 1 | 1 | |||
| Bayou Grande | 1 | ||||
| Big Lagoon SP | 1 | ||||
| Casino Beach | 1 | ||||
| Park East | 1 | ||||
| Park West | 1 | ||||
| Perdido Key SP | 1 | ||||
| Quietwater | 1 | ||||
| TOTAL | 30 samples | 11 | 8 | 11 | 9 |
| % OF SAMPLES | .30 |
Health Advisory Frequency
| Body of Water | # of samples taken | # of advisories issued | % frequency of advisories |
| Bayou Texar | 10 | 4 | .40 |
| Sanders Beach | 12 | 4 | .33 |
| Bayou Chico | 1 | 1 | 1.00 |
Fish Kill Data provided by FWC
| Month | # of Fish Kills reported | # of Dead Fish reported | Cause |
| Jan | 0 | 0 | |
| Feb | 0 | 0 | |
| Mar | 0 | 0 |
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