Feds to Reclassify Manatee From Endangered to Threatened

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

Enjoy Florida Keys Manatees From a Distance

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 Sight to Behold – Flamingo at Boca Chica

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

Blue crab: A beautiful, Savory Swimmer

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

Crocodile Rocks at Smather’s Beach Key West

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

Experts Look to See if Parrotfish Harm or Help Corals

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

That is One Grumpy Looking Blue Chromis

“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

Regional Effort Aims for Rare Butterfly’s Resurgence

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

Prepare for Low-Impact Lobstering

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

FWC: Miami Man Rode Sea Turtle in the Florida Keys

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

Audubon: Roseate Spoonbill Nests Moving Inland

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

Lobster Mobster Yasmany Escalona of Hialeah Arrested

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