There have been several recent reports about major events of coral bleaching. Coral reacts to the stress of warmer water by expelling zooxanthellae, the symbiotic photosynthetic algae responsible for nutrient cycling within the coral and the coral’s color. The coral provides algae with a protected environment and the compounds the algae need for photosynthesis (the … Read more
Florida Bay, the body of water between the Everglades and the Keys that was once teeming with wildlife, may be on the verge of collapse. Last week, scientists reported that miles of sea grass have died in the bay in recent months, leaving behind a stinky smell and a cloud of yellow sulfide. The die-off is … Read more
State fishery managers will take the first step this week in lowering the bag limit for mutton snapper, one of the Florida Keys’ most highly targeted species of fish. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission board will meet Wednesday, Nov. 18, in Panama City to discuss a series of proposed reductions to the mutton … Read more
This week, a team of university, state, and federal scientists is exploring a little known deep reef, Pulley Ridge, where spectacular plate coral colonies blanket the seafloor and red groupers actually help create habitat. Scientists believe this ecosystem, which lies 33 miles northwest of the western most boundary of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, … Read more
A couple months of drought-like conditions for the southern region of the state coupled with a lack of freshwater being sent down through the Everglades by the South Florida Water Management District are among the factors that have caused an extensive seagrass die-off in the northern region of the Florida Bay, according to experts. “Everything … Read more
Visiting the Florida Keys usually means a trip to the coral reef, a habitat that is truly a wonder to behold. However, the lesser-known, but equally important seagrass habitat is worth mentioning. Seagrass beds provide food and shelter for numerous animals including fish, queen conch, lobster, shrimp, crab and smaller colonies of coral. Seagrass trap … Read more
Wild winds that whipped Florida Keys seas this week played havoc with boaters but may help keep Florida Keys reef corals healthy. “Water temperatures went down about five to six degrees in a week while we were doing [reef] surveys in the Middle Keys,” said Meaghan Johnson of The Nature Conservancy’s Florida Reef Resilience Program. … Read more
Recent full moon high tides combined with weather systems off the Atlantic coast to bring more than a week of “nuisance flooding” to streets along the Florida Keys. And with sea level projected to rise between 3 and 7 inches by 2030, we can expect such events to become more frequent, according to Monroe County … Read more
Florida Keys plants move closer to being Endangered Species. In accordance with a landmark settlement agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that four increasingly rare plants in Florida may qualify for Endangered Species Act protection. The Big Pine partridge pea, wedge spurge, sand flax and Blodgett’s … Read more
A team from Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary finalized a project to restore living coral colonies on a damaged patch reef near Cheeca Rocks that was injured when a rogue buoy dragged across it. Boat groundings, anchors, chains and other items that drag along the seafloor can damage or destroy a reef’s complex formations — … Read more
Between 2000 and 2012, the giant barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta — which can grow to over a meter tall and wide — covered increasing territory on two reefs off Florida’s Key Largo. The number of sponges per square meter increased on both reefs, on one by an average of 122 percent, researchers report in an … Read more
Nearly 200 square miles of Florida Bay waters could be managed as no-motor or idle zones under Everglades National Park’s new management plan released Friday. Park staff intends to designate 102,838 acres of shallow water — about 160.7 square miles — as “poll or troll zones” where use of outboard motors would not be allowed. Another … Read more
Sanctuary Reef, a unique traveling exhibit that gives a shrimp’s eye view of an oversized coral reef, is now on display at Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada, through Feb. 28, 2016. This interactive display developed by Mote Marine Laboratory brings the ocean’s coral reefs and vital scientific research to life through hands-on … Read more
Jacksonville University researchers have embarked on a study of critical importance to scientists rearing and out-planting coral on the Florida Keys reef. Mote Marine Laboratory, the Coral Restoration Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have spent millions of dollars rearing and out-planting coral on the Keys reef for nearly … Read more
State marine officers pointed to notorious derelict-vessel cases in Florida Keys waters as prime examples of the need for new rules. “We see a lot of red dots in Monroe County,” said State Rep. Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo), referring to a state map showing 304 derelict vessels off Florida shores. “Obviously it’s an issue here,” … Read more
On-the-water revelers can continue partying at offshore hot spots throughout the Keys, as far as the federal government is concerned. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council decided not to consider a proposed recommendation that could have eventually resulted in no-anchoring zones at popular shallow-water areas like Marathon’s sandbar off Valhalla, Picnic Island, Snipe … Read more
The Chica Travelsita, Travel Blogger and Travel Agent explores the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Key West! She stays at The Casa Morada in Islamorada, explores the waters with Upper Keys Sport Fishing and The Florida Fisherman and experiences delicious food and drinks at Lorelei’s Restaurant and Bar, Bitton Bistro and The Square Grouper. … Read more
Summer temperatures and light winds at the Florida Keys reef have increased reports of coral bleaching. The Coral Bleaching Early Warning Network on Monday issued a “warning” for more coral bleaching, as water temperatures at the reef near 87 degrees Fahrenheit. Reports submitted by divers to Mote Marine Laboratory on Summerland Key showed corals on 18 … Read more
Proposals will be floated to reduce the number of abandoned and sunken boats littering the shallow Florida Keys sea bottom at an Aug. 13 session in Key Largo. A state survey on “anchoring of non-liveaboard vessels” outside public mooring fields drew 11,693 responses, including more than 600 from Monroe County. The survey, completed in December, … Read more
Mote Marine Laboratory is expanding its coral restoration efforts so that those who can’t make the 3 to 6 mile boat trek to the reef can see coral and the marine life it supports. Mote has partnered with the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to bring 5,500 nursery-raised … Read more