The Manatee, also known as Sea Cows, took decades to emerge from a sea of troubles. Within a year, federal wildlife officials plan to reclassify the long-embattled Florida manatee from “endangered” to the less serious status of “threatened.” On Friday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to publish a proposed rule to reclassify the … Read more
Filleting Lionfish
Everyone in the Florida Keys seems to have a story about an encounter with our fascinating sea life. Our visitors especially love to tell about seeing an endangered Florida manatee. While Florida’s manatees have been known to travel as far north as New Jersey and Massachusetts, they, like all good Floridians, return to warmer waters … Read more
A Marathon man who was caught with a mutilated, endangered sea turtle last spring, along with possessing undersized stone crab claws and lobster out of season, is set to have his day in court this month. Serguei Perez-Perdomo, 38, was arrested May 8, 2014. after he was reportedly found with 212 out-of-season lobster, 12 stone … Read more
A century ago, visitors to South Florida were often met with what is now a rare sight — thousands of American Flamingos flocking in the wetlands that once dominated the landscape. They were less common in the Florida Keys as the island chain didn’t offer as much prime real estate that the birds favor. Still, … Read more
That’s a big one. Backcountry guide and fishing columnist for The Reporter, Capt. Mike Makowski, snapped a photo of this crocodile off north Key Largo last week while taking a charter on an eco tour. Capt. Mike estimates the croc to be about 12 feet long. Source: That’s a big one. – Florida Keys Crocodiles
What’s the first thing you think of when you think of blue crabs? Many of us may think of our favorite foods, everything from soup to crab cakes. Even the scientific name of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, translates to “beautiful savory swimmer.” These crabs serve as an important food for humans and animals alike, … Read more
Why am I taking an underwater photo of a squirrelfish (Holocentrus adscensionis)? Is it because of its big “squirrel-like” eyes and beautiful colors? Yup! If you are a big, scary or sought after game fish you get media coverage, especially in a place like the Florida Keys. Tune your radio to a local frequency and … Read more
State wildlife officials do not plan relocate a crocodile that has been hanging around Smather’s Beach, but instead warning people to stay away from and not feed or harass the federally protected reptile. The American species of crocodile is “pretty transient” and “they move on pretty quickly,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Crocodile Response … Read more
“You broke my heart, ‘cause I couldn’t dance; you didn’t even want me around; and now I’m back, to let you know, I can really shake ’em down. Do you love me now that I can dance?” (Lyrics from the 1962 Contours’ song “Do you love me?” written by Motown’s Berry Gordy, Jr.) What does the … 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
Two Miami men who were caught with the tail of an endangered loggerhead sea turtle in Marathon in January are scheduled to appear before County Judge Ruth Becker Aug. 27 for a hearing. Possessing sea turtles or any part of them is against the law. Sea-turtle activists in the Florida Keys are urging Assistant State … Read more
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary officials are encouraging divers and snorkelers to have a low-impact lobster mini-season when they take to the waters on Wednesday and Thursday in search of bugs. Lobster mini-season, commonly referred to as sport season, is one of the busiest times on the ocean in the Florida Keys, as thousands of … Read more
“Dude, that’s one grumpy looking fish,” said the mate as I showed him the image on my camera. “But,” I replied, “It’s a variety of damsel fish.” “Don’t look ladylike to me,” he said. “Still say it’s a nasty looking fish dude” Just to make sure the mate just wasn’t having a bad day, I decided … Read more
BY BRIAN BOWDEN Free Press Staff The Upper Keys is playing a role in an effort by the National Park Service to bolster the population of the federally protected Schaus swallowtail butterfly on Biscayne National Park’s Elliott Key. The 4-year-old restoration project has three simple goals: remove invasive species from the island, plant natives such … Read more
Lobster season is one of the busiest times in the Florida Keys, as thousands of visitors and residents hit the waters in search of one of their favorite delicacies, the Florida spiny lobster. With smart choices, you can lower your impact on sensitive coral reefs and other natural resources that you are here to enjoy. … Read more
BY KEVIN WADLOW Marine officers apparently have video of Carlos Hernandez riding the turtle. Riding a sea turtle and spearing a shark near Conch Key put a Miami man in jail Sunday, state marine officers report. Carlos A. Hernandez, 31, was booked into the Monroe County jail on five misdemeanor conservation counts — and … Read more
Tuesday, July 14, 2015 Law enforcement had a busy Sunday, arresting two men for spearfishing illegally including one who was allegedly harassing a sea turtle, and chasing a fleeing vehicle through the Key Haven subdivision. In the turtle case, a passerby on the south end of the Long Key Bridge noticed a man and woman taking … Read more
BY JOSH GORE Free Press Staff The roseate spoonbill, a wading bird long enjoyed by birdwatchers, recreational boaters and anglers, appears to be gradually leaving Florida Bay for less salty nesting grounds, according to Audubon researchers. The spoonbill nests during the dry winter and spring months. And because it is especially dependent upon the … Read more
21-year-old Hialeah man was arrested Sunday on multiple lobster-related charges after FWC officers found him illegally spearing lobster near Banana Bay Resort in Marathon, Dipre said. Yasmany Escalona was charged with felony tampering with evidence after diving and burying a bag of wrung tails in the mud after officers spotted him Sunday morning, Dipre said. … Read more