July 13, 2026 Saharan dust, a vast plume of fine particles lifted from the deserts of North Africa, may seem like a distant phenomenon—but it regularly reaches the Florida Keys, shaping the environment and skies in subtle but important ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, UF/IFAS Extension
El Niño Conditions are Present As of June 11, 2026, NOAA assessments indicate El Niño conditions have officially begun and forecast to strengthen from the current time through winter in the Northern Hemisphere. This could once again elevate ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, UF/IFAS Extension
June 2026 Potential New Invader: Pulse Corals There is the potential for a new aquatic invader in South Florida. Pulse Corals are bright-colored soft corals that are very popular in the saltwater aquarium trade. These soft corals are a type ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, UF/IFAS Extension
Sargassum: The Golden Tide The Florida Keys are currently experiencing a familiar golden-brown visitor: floating mats of sargassum seaweed. Scientists often refer to the annual influx of sargassum as a "golden tide" because of the macroalgae's ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, NATURAL RESOURCES, UF/IFAS Extension
The Monroe County Extension Office is looking for commercial trappers and recreational stone crabbers to be on the lookout for a possible new invasive underwater species. It is a soft coral called Pulse Coral, which is common in the aquarium ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Invasive Species
Communications & Outreach Working Group: Florida Bleaching Summary, September 2025 OVERVIEW Corals rely on microscopic algae called zooxanthellae, which live within their tissues, give corals their color, and supply up ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine
Starfish, or sea stars, are iconic marine animals often found in tide pools, along the shoreline, in seagrass beds, and mangrove channels. Their unique appearance and vibrant colors make them an irresistible photo subject for snorkelers and ... READ MORE
Category: , Coasts & Marine, Conservation, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Great Goliath Grouper Count This is the 15th year of the Great Goliath Grouper Count, scheduled to take place June 1 through June 16, 2024! The Great Goliath Grouper Count is a collaboration between Florida Sea Grant and the Florida Fish ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension
Sponges Filter Water at Incredible Rates! Sponges are animals that are incredibly important for improving water quality. Ounce for ounce, the amount of water they filter per day is astounding! A basketball-sized sheepswool sponge can ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, NATURAL RESOURCES
Do I need a descending tool on-board when fishing from my vessel for reef fish in Florida? The answer is YES! But the regulations are a little different depending upon where you are fishing. Atlantic Ocean federal waters (3+ nautical ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension