IT HAS BEEN A FEW DAYS SINCE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET SEA GRANT NOTES OUT. LIKE YOU, ALL HAVE BEEN DOING DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND CLEAN UP TIME.
HURRICANE SALLY SURE HIT US HARD AND THERE ARE A FEW QUICK NOTES TO POST NOW.
- 1) The waterways are not safe for recreation at the moment. Doing assessments with Escambia County Division of Marine Resources, we found a lot of large debris floating on, and just below the surface that could seriously damage a vessel if the captain did not see. Would recommend idle speed with a spotter, or just stay off the water until things are clear.
- 2) The water is brown and some areas have an odor. We know there were numerous sanitary sewage overflows and we also saw oil and fuel floating on the service. The Department of Health has issued a health advisory for the swimming beaches they are currently monitoring. We recommend everyone stay out of the water until it is clear.
- 3) We have not seen any fish kills in the area. There were two reports from local ponds. If you do see any, please me or the Escambia County Division of Marine Resources.
- 4) Many marinas have damage and roadways may have debris – be careful. We have posted an article on our blog page – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2020/09/25/oh-what-a-night-sally-storms-into-the-panhandle/. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at roc1@ufl.edu. I will be in the field continuing assessments but will get to your concern ASAP.
Extension offices across the district are opened on a limited basis. Some essential programs are being provided with limited attendance and social distancing. It is still best to contact us by phone or email.
WE DO HAVE PROGRAMS ONGOING DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THEM ASAP.
Ocean Hour will host the annual September Coastal Clean Up tomorrow – there are four locations you can pick from – read more below under Habitat Restoration Updates
Science Hour – Facebook LIVE – Rescheduled for Wed Sep 30
This month we will be with Dr. Matt Deitch (UF/Milton) in the field discussing water and water quality issues. Join us at 12:00 PM CDT on the Escambia County Extension Facebook
Youth Science Lessons – September The Nature of Science
I will post a new lesson next Monday – Sep 28.
You can find these lessons by scrolling through the natural resource page of the Escambia County Extension website. There should be four lessons for each topic – one topic for each month.
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/category/natural-resources/.
Panhandle Outdoors LIVE – Webinar – Wednesday Sep 16
Successful Wildlife Food Plots
This program was broadcast live this past Wednesday. It has been recorded and I will post a link to the video next week.
You can find a calendar of all presentations at the link below.
You can register for a talk by clicking on the title.
http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/panhandle-outdoors-live-online/.
Water Quality Updates
Health Advisories
- HURRICANE SALLY – ALL WATERS TESTED CURRENTLY HAVE ADVISORIES ISSUED
- Sep 22 – Those tested: Bayou’s Chico, Texar, Grande – Casino Beach, Park East, Park West, Quietwater, and Sanders Beach
- See all data below
Rainfall
- Rainfall collected weekly from East Hill (UF IFAS)
- Jan (4.0) Feb (2.8) Mar (0.6) – Winter (7.4”)
- Apr (3.2) May (1.6) Jun (6.5) – Spring (11.3”)
- Jul (9.1”) Aug (13.9”) Sep (21.2”) – HURRICANE SALLY
Salinity
- The objective to see who has a MEAN, MEDIAN, and MODE 20‰ of higher for seagrass and scallop restoration.
- 2020 2nd Quarter Update
- > = 20‰: Big Sabine, Old River, Bayou Grande, Little Sabine, Kees Bayou, Big Lagoon
- < 20‰: Lower Perdido Bay,
Red Tide & Harmful Algal Blooms
- Report Date – Sep 18
- Red tide was reported from one site in Hillsborough County during the week of Sep 14-Sep 18
- Harmful Algal Blooms not detected in panhandle this week
Fish Kills
- Fish kills were reported from Belleview Pond in Pensacola and Greenview Pond in Gulf Breeze on Sep 21 – HURRICANE SALLY.
- Fish kills reported from Escambia/Santa Rosa Co. occurred in July – discarded baitfish
- Report fish kills to FWC at – https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/.
Habitat Restoration Updates
- Living Shorelines
- – The living shorelines did very well during Hurricane Sally
- – All living shorelines have been monitored. Report coming very soon. If interested in a living shoreline contact me.
- Seagrass Monitoring
- – Monitoring has stopped due to poor water quality from Hurricane Sally.
- Mangrove Surveys
- – Our last survey has been postponed due to Hurricane Sally
- OCEAN HOUR –
OCEAN HOUR plans to hold their annual COASTAL CLEAN UP event Tomorrow – Sep 26 (postponed due to Sally). They will have FOUR sites to choose from.
- – Wayside Park – 1401 E. Gregory – meet at the visitors center
- – Graffiti Bridge – meet at the parking lot
- – Bartram Park – 211 Bayfront – downtown
- – Navarre Pier Park– meet at the Sand Crab Pavilion
Wildlife Monitoring Updates
- KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR SNAKES WHILE CLEANING HURRICANE DEBRIS
- Terrapin Surveys – Surveys on hold. Report coming out in the fall.
- Horseshoe Crabs – Surveys on hold.
- Barrier Island Cottonmouth Survey – Surveys on hold. Ongoing until Halloween – 15 snakes found / 8 were cottonmouths – update report in fall
- The Great Scallop Search – Surveys on hold due to poor water quality.
- Manatee Watch – More of reports this week. Reports coming from all over the bay area.
- 62 reports since Jan 1
- – PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH SIGHTINGS (roc1@ufl.edu)
- – ALSO, APPROACH SHORE AND DOCKS SLOWLY WITH A LOOKOUT IF YOU CAN
Invasive Species Updates
- Beach vitex – this is an invasive plant we are trying to stay ahead of. This time of year the lavender blossoms are falling and the spherical smoky gray seed pods are forming. THESE SEED PODS ARE VIABLE IN SEAWATER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS – PLEASE REMOVE THEM IF YOU HAVE THIS PLANT GROWING ON YOUR PROPERTY. If you would like information on how to remove this invasive plant, please contact me.
- Cuban Treefrog Records – there has been an increase in reports of these animals in our area. Read the following article to find out where and how to manage this before they become a bigger problem –
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2020/07/02/are-we-being-invaded-by-cuban-treefrogs-maybe/.
We had a webinar on this topic Aug 19 – you can view this by visiting the Panhandle Outdoors Facebook page – be sure to follow us!
- Halloweed – coming in October – We will be removing beach vitex from Naval Live Oaks in Gulf Breeze if COVID will allow. More to come.
- Lionfish
- – Small lionfish have once again been reported from the Ft. Pickens jetties. Please contact us if you see any while diving there
Seafood in Peak Season for September
- Rolling out of peak season
- – Flounder
- In peak season
- – Clams
- – King Mackerel – children, pregnant women should only consume one serving a week
- – Brown shrimp (bay shrimp)
- – Rock shrimp
- – White shrimp (Gulf shrimp)
- – Snapper – check state limits and accessibility; change frequently
- – Spanish mackerel
- – Spiny lobster
- – Yellowfin tuna
- Beginning peak season
- – Mullet
- – Oyster
- – Swordfish
- Seafood Safety Guidelines – Escambia County Division of Marine Resources – https://www.myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/seafood-safety.
Upcoming Programs
YOUTH SCIENCE LESSONS – every week
September will focus on The Nature of Science
One a week posted early in the week
You can find any of them by scrolling through the natural resource page of our website
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/category/natural-resources/.
SCIENCE HOUR – FACEBOOK LIVE – Sep 30
This month we will be with Dr. Matt Deitch (UF/Milton) in the field discussing water and water quality issues. Join us at 12:00 PM CDT on the Escambia County Extension Facebook
PANHANDLE OUTDOORS LIVE – WEBINAR – Oct 7
Bats: A Misunderstood Beneficial Mammal
12:00 – 12:30 CDT
1:00 – 1:30 EDT
Register, and see other webinars, at
http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/panhandle-outdoors-live-online/.
BITE SIZED SCIENCE WEBINARS – Fall Semester
We will begin this month – the Spanish versions on Tuesdays and English on Thursdays
The programs will begin at 3:00 PM CDT
September Programs
Tue Sep 15 – Manaties
Thu Sep 17 – Oysters and Water Quality
Tue Sep 22 – Tiburones
Thu Sep 24 – Snakes on Florida’s Barrier Islands
Tue Sep 29 – Rescate de Animales Marinos
Thu Oct 1 – Florida’s Founding Fish; The Mighty Mullet
Pre-register is required, you can register at the link below.
http://bit.ly/bite-sizedscience
SEAFOOD @ YOUR FINGERTIPS
WE ARE ALSO COMING BACK! MORE COOL RECIPES AND SEAFOOD DISHES FOR YOU TO TRY – STAY TUNED.
Round #1 have all been completed. You can view any of the past programs by visiting the Florida Sea Grant Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/floridaseagrant/.
Or get the recipes at our website – https://www.flseagrant.org/.
Current Articles
Weekly “What is it?” – Spanish Mass
Carrie Stevenson – Escambia County
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/category/natural-resources/.
Oh, What a Night – Hurricane Sally Storms Into the Panhandle
Rick O’Connor – Escambia County
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/category/natural-resources/.
MEET OUR PANHANDLE OUTDOORS AUTHORS – Ray Bodrey Gulf County
http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/
CFAP 2 Will Cover an Additional 40 Commodities; Including Farmed Mollusks
Erik Lovestrand – Franklin County
http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/
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
Health Advisory Frequency
Data provided by the Florida Department of Health’s Healthy Beaches Program
| Body of Water | # of samples collected | # of POOR reports | # of advisories issued | % frequency of advisories |
| Bayou Texar | 32 | 11 | 11 | .34 |
| Sanders Beach | 29 | 4 | 1 | .03 |
| Bayou Chico | 23 | 6 | 6 | .26 |
| Bayou Grande | 22 | 8 | 8 | .36 |
| Big Lagoon SP | 19 | 2 | 0 | .00 |
| Perdido Key SP | 21 | 0 | 0 | .00 |
| Casino Beach | 21 | 1 | 1 | .05 |
| Park East | 21 | 2 | 1 | .05 |
| Park West | 21 | 2 | 1 | .05 |
| Quietwater Beach | 21 | 1 | 1 | .05 |
| Ft. Pickens | 7 | 0 | 0 | .00 |
| Opal Beach | 7 | 0 | 0 | .00 |
| TOTAL | 244 | 37 | 30 | .12 |
NOTE: SEVERAL OF THESE WERE DUE TO HURRICANE SALLY
Fish Kill Data provided by FWC (Escambia and Santa Rosa counties)
| 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 | |
| Jun | 0 | 0 | |
| Jul | 2 | NR | Baitfish at Navarre Beach and Perdido Key; probably a discard |
| Aug | 0 | 0 | |
| Sep | 2 | NR | Fish kills occurred in two ponds (one in Pensacola and one in Gulf Breeze) during Hurricane Sally |
| TOTAL | 4 | 0 |
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