Help Nesting Sea Turtles by Respecting Their Nests

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds the public that we can help sea turtles have a successful nesting season by giving them space, removing beach furniture at night, keeping beaches clean and dark, and never disturbing their nests. Sea turtles and their nests are protected under state and federal law. Florida’s sandy … Read more

Wily Florida Lobster Can be Elusive

The antennae sticking out of the hole gave the creature away. So with great caution and care, I placed my tickle stick behind the Florida Lobster and tried to gently coax it into my net. But with one flip of its tail, it shot out between my legs like a cartoon crustacean, leaving nothing but … Read more

FWC 2021-2022 Manatee and Sea Turtle Decals 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) just released the new 2021-2022 manatee and sea turtle decals. These high-quality waterproof stickers feature two different designs and are a fun way for people to directly support research, rescue and management efforts that conserve these species and spread awareness about the challenges they face. Each July, … Read more

Lobster Traps Need to be Degradable

A study published earlier this year by a state biologist says the durability of lobster traps contributes to a high number of unintended sea life deaths each year. Casey Butler’s study, “Effects of Ghost Fishing Lobsters in the Florida Keys,” was published Jan. 7 in the ICES Journal of Marine Service. “We’ve found that the … Read more

FWC Approves Draft Language on Diamondback Terrapin Conservation

At its December meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved draft language and directed staff to continue working on diamondback terrapin conservation proposals that are part of a larger approach to prevent further decline of the species.  Throughout their range, diamondback terrapin populations are in decline due to a variety of issues, … Read more

A Key Deer Walks Into A CVS

  A Key deer buck repeatedly wandered into a CVS on Big Pine until it was finally tranquilized and relocated. DOUG MADER, DVM The endangered Key deer are one of the iconic animals of South Florida. The small deer are popular with tourists for photos. But, it can be dangerous for the deer when they … Read more

SeaTurtle Maisy Released in Florida Keys to Join Tour de Turtles Race

A rare hybrid hawksbill-green seaturtle Maisy, rehabilitated at the Florida Keys-based Turtle Hospital, was fitted with a satellite-tracking transmitter and released from a Florida Keys beach Friday to join the Tour de Turtles, a marathon-like “race” that follows the long-distance migration of sea turtles over three months. The annual educational project, organized by the Sea … Read more

Horseshoe Crabs

horseshoe crabs

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute is asking the public to report observations of horseshoe crabs mating activities in order to help biologists identify nesting beaches around the state. Horseshoe crabs can be found in the United States from Maine to Florida. Adult horseshoe crabs are usually found offshore, but they mate on sandy beaches … Read more

You Can Help Key Deer – Leave Them Alone

The endangered Key deer, the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer found throughout much of North America, are perfectly adapted to surviving in the tropical island habitats of the lower Florida Keys. They feed on over 150 types of native plants that grow wild with some of their favorites being red mangrove, black mangrove seed pods, … Read more

Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehab Center Monthly Lecture Series

With native tropical flora of the Florida Keys being impacted by a growing population and urban development, the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center has begun sponsoring a conservation lecture series, “Wings N’ Things.” The next presentation will feature guest speaker Lynn Miller, Ph.D., wildlife education director at the South Florida Wildlife Center, which is … Read more

Florida Keys Rules You Should Know

The Florida Keys are a fragile and unique environment brimming with life and complex ecosystems.  Numerous state and federal regulations exist to protect the Florida Keys and surrounding ocean. Florida Keys Rules. Frequent reports of wildlife violations prompted us to create this guide to the many environmental protections that everyone, visitors and residents, should know.   … Read more

Orphaned Twin Manatees Released Back Into Florida Keys Waters

Twin juvenile manatees “Falcon” and “Millennium” were released in the Florida Keys Thursday by marine mammal experts with Dolphin Research Center, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Miami Seaquarium Spectators applauded as the two-and-a-half-year-old twins were returned to an area with open-water access to Florida Bay. Each was fitted with a satellite tracking … Read more

FWC – Look Out Slow Down for Migrating Manatees

Look out and slow down for manatees in November to help them as they begin migrating to warmer waters. November is Manatee Awareness Month. Florida has more than 6,600 manatees swimming in rivers, bays and coastal waters. These large aquatic mammals can weigh over 1,000 pounds. As the weather cools, manatees are on the move, … Read more

FWC Approves Status Changes for Monroe County Osprey

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for eight of the more than 50 species, the only local is the Monroe County Osprey, in the agency’s Imperiled Species Management Plan. Based on thorough scientific review, FWC staff determined that the eastern chipmunk, harlequin darter, Homosassa shrew, southern … Read more

Great White Sharks in the Florida Keys

Most associate Great White Sharks with the waters of New England and California. There have long been stories from local Charter Captains of close encounters with Great Whites in the Florida Keys. These stories usually stayed within the local fishing docks and were not known widely. With the more recent availability of digital cameras aboard the boats and social networks to … Read more