: Seagrass Ecosystems in Taylor County, Florida Beneath the tranquil waters along the Gulf Coast of Taylor County lies a hidden gem crucial to the marine ecosystem—seagrass. These verdant underwater meadows play a pivotal role in the health ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources
The Nature Coast Currents webinar series aims to communicate and catalog research happening along Florida's Nature Coast. In 2022-2023, the series focuses especially along the southern portion encompassed by the Nature ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Events, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
by Jamie Hammond and Savanna Barry On Wednesday, January 5th, 2022, partners worked together to remove 52 derelict blue crab traps from the Steinhatchee estuary. They removed a total of 1,120 pounds of debris, continuing a years-long effort ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
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
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
Nothing says summer in the Nature Coast like the start of scalloping. Starting tomorrow, June 15th, thousands will splash into the clear water searching through carpets of seagrass for bay scallops. This annual marine Easter egg hunt is possible ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water
Marine habitats Marine habitats such as seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and sponge beds are some of the most threatened on the planet. UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant Extension agents in the Nature Coast work a lot on marine habitat restoration ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Events, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water