Traditionally the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have evaluated the status of scallop populations in Florida Gulf of Mexico waters. Specially through the pre-season counts to estimate the size of the harvestable population. ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
What are scallops? Scallops are bivalve mollusks that live in shallow waters close to shore along Florida's Gulf Coast, from Pensacola to the Florida Keys, and have a characteristic 40 blue eyes along the shell borders. They are quick swimmers ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Where is the Seagrass? The Extension Office has received several calls from boaters with a concern about the changes in large seagrass areas that seem to be “gone”, showing only sandy patches where it used to be a good seagrass ground. ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Sheepshead If you want to enjoy some good time fishing on the coast of the Big Bend, Sheepshead might be one of your options. They are considered one of the most important coastal trophy fish. Their most common habitat is coastal waters near ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Is the red tide a current threat to Taylor County waters? The most accurate short answer is perhaps no. Red tide is a phenomenon caused by the blooming of toxic microalgae known as Karenia brevis. Which not only accumulates in filter-feeding ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
What happens after Scallop season Scallop season deals with different challenges, including penny-sized scallops, rain (a lot of it in the last years), bad weather, storms, hurricane warnings and landings, flooded rivers, sea urchins, inexperienced ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
Assessing the condition of seagrass, sea urchins, and scallops The UF/IFAS Extension Agent and a certified scientific volunteer diver visited the area between Piney Point and Grassy Island to assess the condition of seagrass, sea urchins (https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/codes/food-bait-invertebrates/variable-urchin/) ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Water
This year, the Hillsborough County 4-H Program was awarded a STEM grant from HughesNet, allowing us to put on a Marine Ecology Day Camp, in partnership with The Florida Aquarium. Junior and Intermediate-age 4-H youth were invited to participate ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth