Researchers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have documented male and female pillar corals spawning together in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This is a significant discovery because it was unclear if female pillar corals existed in Florida. Diving off Key Largo, researchers witnessed male pillar coral colonies releasing clouds of milky [...]
An overabundance of seaweed has been washing ashore on both coasts of Florida. Since January, news media in Broward County have reported that 1,000 tons of seaweed has been removed from the shore in Fort Lauderdale. Beaches on the Gulf Coast especially those in Sarasota, Manatee and Pinellas counties have been affected. Experts call the [...]
Southwest Region: Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, was not found in samples collected this week from alongshore Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Charlotte, Lee, and Monroe counties, or along or offshore of Collier County. Three samples collected alongshore of Sarasota County contained K. brevis in concentrations ranging from background to very low.
Sarasota Bay Watch’s Fifth Annual Scallop Search took place on August 11th. Over 150 volunteers aged 2 – 82, took part in this event on boats ranging from kayaks and motor boats to sail boats. Ninety–three scallops were counted this year, twelve times the number counted in 2011. The event was sponsored by the Guy [...]
Common Name: Drift Algae Scientific Name: There is a wide variety of Drift Algae in Florida Bays Fun Facts: This alga is floating in a bed of Manatee Grass. Drift Algae is found in a dizzying array of shapes, colors and structures. A common problem in this area in that red rift algae washes ashore [...]