November 14, 2019 Sea Grant Notes
2019 HEALTHY BAY REPORT CARD IS OUT
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2019/11/14/2019-healthy-bay-report-card/.
HORSESHOE CRAB WATCH THIS WEEKEND
We will have spring high tides Nov 15-18 around midnight, BUT you may see these animals near shore in the afternoons awaiting the golden hour. Please report any seen to Rick O’Connor at the Escambia County Extension Office. (850) 475-5230 ext. 111. Roc1@ufl.edu
FLORIDA MASTER NATURALIST – HABITAT EVALUATION SHORT COURSE
This 3-day class will teach the basics of habitat evaluation. The three classes will include large scale assessments, local scale assessments, and water quality assessments. The classes will be all day Nov 19-21 and taught at the Santa Rosa County Extension office in Milton. Field experince will be included in each class. You can review the agenda and register for the course at https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/E19-11.html.
This Week
Monday Nov 18
Invasive Beach Vitex Removal Workday. Join Sea Grant in removing this invasive plants from Perdido Key. We will meet at 8:00 AM at the empty parking area across the street from 14436 River Road. We will provide tools, you will need gloves and a water bottle. It will is forecasted to be cold, so be prepared for this. We should be done by 10:00 AM. For more information contact Rick O’Connor – roc1@ufl.edu.
Perdido Key
8:00 – 10:00 AM
Monday Nov 18
Escambia County Marine Advisory Meeting.
Escambia County Central Office Complex
3363 West Park Place
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Current Articles
Wild Turkey Biology and Habitat Management
http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/.
Water Quality
Health Advisories
- AS WE MOVE INTO NOVEMBER FDOH ONLY MONITORS SANDERS BEACH AND BAYOU TEXAR
- Sanders Beach – GOOD
- Bayou Texar – MODERATE
- 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”) – winter = 4.3”
- Apr (6.3”) May (1.0”) June (7.4”) – spring = 14.7”
- Jul (5.0’*) Aug (8.0”) Sep (0.0”) – summer = 13.0”*
- Oct (6.2”) Nov (1.3”)
- * Sea Grant was not available to monitor rain gauge in July – gauge indicated 5” during the month in East Hill
Red Tide
- Last report was posted Nov 13 (FWC)
- Panhandle – not detected.
- SW Florida – detected in Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties; FISH KILLS in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties; RESPIRATORY ISSUES in Sarasota and Lee counties.
- East Coast of FL – not detected.
Fish Kills
- No Fish Kills reported in November
- 12 fish kills reported in October
- 2 fish kills reported in August.
- 3 fish kills reported in September
- No other reports this year.
- Report fish kills to FWC at – https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/.
Citizen Science Water Quality Data Report is out https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2019/11/14/2019-healthy-bay-report-card/.
Habitat Restoration
- OCEAN HOUR Clean Ups Nov 9
- – Wayside Park & Graffiti Bridge
- – William Bartram Park across from Seville Square
Clean Ups begin at 9:00 and supplies are provided
- Living Shorelines
The best time to have a living shoreline planted is the fall and winter. Contact me if interested in learning more.
- Seagrass Monitoring Report is out https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2019/11/14/2019-healthy-bay-report-card/.
Wildlife & Fisheries
- Horseshoe Crab Watch
- – October begins the fall survey season for nesting horseshoe crabs. They nest along shore during the high tides of the full and new moons. Best days and times to search: Contact me if you find one.
- – Nov 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 17, 18, 26, 27, 28
- – Dec 13, 14, 24, 25, 26
- Diamondback terrapin survey report coming soon
- The Great Scallop Search results coming soon
Invasive Species
- Beach Vitex
- – Two vitex removal work days are planned for November.
- – November 18 Perdido Key Drive – meeting location TBD
- Invasive Lionfish
- – 4 Lionfish were found near the Ft. Pickens fishing pier while they were conducting an underwater clean-up there. We continue to survey for lionfish in the Ft. Pickens area. If anyone finds lionfish inside Pensacola Bay, please report location to us.
- Regal Damselfish – Is an invasive species that FWC and UF are watching for. Reports of this species on local reefs have been occurring (along with video). These are difficult to capture and remove. Hand nets are probably best bet at this time. Please let us know if you see any of these while diving.
Seafood
- Local Seafood in Peak Season for November
- – Cultured clams
- – Flounder
- – Mullet
- – Oysters
- – White shrimp
- – Snapper (check annual regulations)
- – Spiny lobster
- – Stone crab
- – Swordfish
- Seafood Safety Guidelines – Escambia County Division of Marine Resources – https://www.myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/seafood-safety.
Environmental Literacy
- FLORIDA MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM – Habitat Evaluation (short course)
- – This 3-day class will cover the basics of evaluating habitats. The three classes will include large scale assessments, local scale assessments, and water quality. All classes will be taught at the Santa Rosa County Extension office in Milton and each will include field experience.
- – To review agenda and register for the class, visit https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/E19-11.html.
Upcoming Programs
- Nov 18 – Beach Vitex Removal Work Day – Perdido Key. Meeting location TBD.
- Nov 18 – Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee – Escambia County Central Office Complex – 3363 West Park Place – 5:30 PM.
- Nov 19-21 – Florida Master Naturalist Short Course: Habitat Evaluation. Santa Rosa County Extension Office and field practice.
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 | 10 | 3 | |||
| Bayou Texar | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Sanders Beach | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Feb | 9 | 4 | |||
| Bayou Texar | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Sanders Beach | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
| Mar | 24 | 4 | |||
| Bayou Texar | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Sanders Beach | 3 | 1 | |||
| Bayou Chico | 2 | 2 | |||
| Bayou Grande | 2 | ||||
| Big Lagoon SP | 2 | ||||
| Casino Beach | 2 | ||||
| Park East | 2 | ||||
| Park West | 2 | ||||
| Perdido Key SP | 1 | 1 | |||
| Quietwater | 1 | 1 | |||
| Apr | 35 | 6 | |||
| Bayou Texar | 2 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Sanders Beach | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Bayou Chico | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Bayou Grande | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Big Lagoon SP | 3 | ||||
| Casino Beach | 3 | ||||
| Park East | 3 | ||||
| Park West | 2 | ||||
| Perdido Key SP | 2 | ||||
| Quietwater | 3 | 1 | |||
| Opal Beach | 1 | ||||
| Ft. Pickens | 1 | ||||
| May | 26 | 4 | |||
| Bayou Texar | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Sanders Beach | 3 | 1 | |||
| Bayou Chico | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Bayou Grande | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Big Lagoon SP | 2 | ||||
| Casino Beach | 2 | ||||
| Park East | 2 | ||||
| Park West | 2 | ||||
| Perdido Key SP | 2 | ||||
| Quietwater | 1 | 1 | |||
| Opal Beach | 1 | ||||
| Ft. Pickens | 1 | ||||
| Jun | 28 | 0 | |||
| Bayou Texar | 3 | 1 | |||
| Sanders Beach | 3 | 1 | |||
| Bayou Chico | 1 | 1 | |||
| Bayou Grande | 2 | ||||
| Big Lagoon SP | 2 | ||||
| Casino Beach | 2 | ||||
| Park East | 2 | ||||
| Park West | 2 | ||||
| Perdido Key SP | 2 | ||||
| Quietwater | 2 | ||||
| Opal Beach | 2 | ||||
| Ft. Pickens | 2 | ||||
| Jul | 44 | 4 | |||
| Bayou Texar | 3 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Sanders Beach | 3 | 1 | |||
| Bayou Chico | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Bayou Grande | 3 | ||||
| Big Lagoon SP | 2 | 1 | |||
| Casino Beach | 3 | ||||
| Park East | 3 | ||||
| Park West | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Perdido Key SP | 3 | ||||
| Quietwater | 3 | ||||
| Opal Beach | 3 | 1 | |||
| Ft. Pickens | 1 | 1 | |||
| Johnsons Beach | 3 | ||||
| Aug | 57 | 7 | |||
| Bayou Texar | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Sanders Beach | 4 | 3 | |||
| Bayou Chico | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Bayou Grande | 3 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Big Lagoon SP | 3 | 1 | |||
| Casino Beach | 4 | 1 | |||
| Park East | 4 | ||||
| Park West | 4 | ||||
| Perdido Key SP | 4 | ||||
| Quietwater | 3 | 2 | |||
| Opal Beach | 4 | ||||
| Ft. Pickens | 3 | 1 | |||
| Johnsons Beach | 2 | 2 | |||
| Sep | 46 | 4 | |||
| Bayou Texar | 4 | ||||
| Sanders Beach | 3 | 1 | |||
| Bayou Chico | 4 | 3 | |||
| Bayou Grande | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 2 | 2 | |||
| Casino Beach | 3 | 1 | |||
| Park East | 4 | ||||
| Park West | 3 | 1 | |||
| Perdido Key SP | 4 | ||||
| Quietwater | 4 | ||||
| Opal Beach | 2 | ||||
| Ft. Pickens | 1 | 1 | |||
| Johnsons Beach | 1 | ||||
| Oct | 52 | 6 | |||
| Bayou Texar | 5 | ||||
| Sanders Beach | 4 | 1 | |||
| Bayou Chico | 2 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Bayou Grande | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| Big Lagoon SP | 5 | ||||
| Casino Beach | 5 | ||||
| Park East | 5 | ||||
| Park West | 5 | ||||
| Perdido Key SP | 5 | ||||
| Quietwater | 5 | 2 | |||
| Nov | 9 | 0 | |||
| Bayou Texar | 5 | 1 | |||
| Sanders Beach | 5 | 1 | |||
| TOTAL | 293 | 208 | 33 | 55 | 38 |
| % OF SAMPLES | .13 |
Health Advisory Frequency
| Body of Water | # of samples taken | # of advisories issued | % frequency of advisories |
| Bayou Texar | 46 | 15 | .33 |
| Sanders Beach | 50 | 5 | .10 |
| Bayou Chico | 25 | 14 | .56 |
| Bayou Grande | 25 | 7 | .28 |
| Park West | 27 | 1 | .04 |
| Casino Beach | 26 | 1 | .04 |
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 | |
| Apr | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 0 | 0 | |
| June | 0 | 0 | |
| July – | Johns Beach report – # unknown | Unknown | May have been discolored water |
| Aug | 2 | Unknown | Dead catfish in lower Perdido Bay
Multiple species from Emerald Beach Park in Navarre |
| Sep | 3 | Unknown | Unknown
Tarpon Perdido Key Beach Mullet.Blue Crab. Sea Turtle @ Herron Bayou Pond @ Tiger Point golf course |
| Oct | 12 | Unknown | 11 reports of menhaden in Bayou Chico
1 report from Ramsey Beach on Perdido Bay |
| Nov | 0 | 0 |
0
