If you live near or visit the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico coasts, odds are you’re a fan of the Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Fried or steamed legs and claws, crabcakes, entire softshell crabs—that sweet crab meet is delicious ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Data provided in this report is from the Manatee Sighting Network Program at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Carmichael RH, Hieb E, Aven A, Taylor N, Seely C, Delo J, Pabody C, (2022). Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Manatee Sighting Network Database ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
In our last article we asked the question - “what are protozoans?” As we mentioned then the breakdown of the word includes “proto” which means “before”, and “zoan” which refers to animals. These are the “before animals” ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine
I have a vivid memory of snorkeling the seagrass beds around Port St. Joe when I was an undergraduate marine biology student. Our field research lab involved completing a visual fish survey, using waterproof dive slates and pencils to record ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water, WildlifeYou may ask – “what are protozoans?” It’s a good question. The breakdown of the word includes “proto” which means “before”, and “zoan” which refers to animals. These are the “before animals” – meaning animal-like ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
I was lucky enough to spend this past weekend exploring a lovely, low-key stretch of northwest Florida. We hiked trails and took the boat tour at Wakulla Springs State Park, marveling at the numerous alligators and admiring birds and a slow-moving ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeMuch of the phytoplankton found in the waters for the northern Gulf of Mexico are diatoms and dinoflagellates. We wrote about diatoms in our last article, here we will meet the dinoflagellates. Like diatoms, dinoflagellates are ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural ResourcesRemaining in the world of the microscopic, in this article we look at small plant-like creatures called diatoms. Diatoms are single celled algae that float in the surface waters of the Gulf of Mexico in the billions. Being plant-like, they ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
If you’ve spent any time on the coast, you know we’ve got plenty of marine mammals. Dolphins will surface in pods, delighting beachgoers; they’ll bow-ride along boats and occasionally treat onlookers to a full Sea World-style leap ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife
Each year we conduct surveys, water quality is one of the top concerns of citizens. There are numerous water quality issues out there, but health advisories are ones that are of high interest. Health advisories are issued by the Department ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water