by Rick O'Connor | Sep 2, 2016
People have been trying to do something about marine debris, and solid waste in general, since we saw the commercial of the crying Indian in the early ‘70’s. Have we made any improvement?
A variety of plastics ends up in the Gulf. Each is a potential problem for marine life. Photo: Rick O’Connor
Yes… but there are still problems to deal with.
Literally millions of tons of solid waste are produced and disposed of each year. According to the 16th edition of Living in the Environment by G. Tyler Miller and Scott Spoolman (2011), Americans generate 2.5 million tons of solid waste each year. This total could fill enough garbage trucks to circle the earth 8 times – bumper to bumper. Though we only make up 4.6% of the world’s population we generate 33% of world’s solid waste. Scientists have been recommending that we reduce the amount of solid waste we produce for some time… but we are not.
So what are we going to do about the problem?
Well, if you are not going to reduce the amount generated you have basically three choices
- Bury it
- Burn it
- Recycle it
Currently Americans are burying about 54% of their solid waste, 25% is recycled, 14% is incinerated, 7% is composted. Comparing our recycling efforts to other nations we are not doing too bad, but there is room for improvement – there is actually a need to improve. The majority of the solid waste we throw away actually ends up in the environment. It has been determined that 80% of the plastics in the ocean come from land – and much of this was thrown in the trash by people who were doing the right thing.
To reduce waste, we need to know what it is we are throwing away. According to Miller and Spoolman the top five items we throw away are:
- Paper/cardboard – 37%
- Yard waste – 12%
- Food – 11%
- Plastics – 11%
- Metal – 8%
Most of these can be recycled or composted – should be easy – but we are not doing it as often as we should.
What about local marine debris?
I have been working with the local group OCEAN HOUR. Ocean Hour cleans a shoreline somewhere in the Escambia / Santa Rosa area every weekend (check out their Facebook page or the Escambia County Extension website to know where). Volunteers come out to help remove the waste and Ocean Hour provides buckets, tongs, and gloves for them to do so. Sea Grant, Escambia County, and students from local schools help to gather data from what they are collecting.
| TOP FIVE ITEMS |
2015 |
2016
|
| 1 |
Cigarette butts |
Cigarette butts
|
| 2 |
Food wrappers |
Foam
|
| 3 |
Plastic bottles |
Plastic bottles
|
| 4 |
Plastic pieces |
Glass bottles
|
| 5 |
Foam |
Food wrappers
|
Plastics
There has been a lot of concern about plastics in the environment. Paper, food, and yard waste are oxygen demanding waste, and need to be reduced, but their life span in the ocean is much shorter than plastic. Plastics are made using large polymers produced while refining oil and natural gas. There are about 46 different types and many products are a mix of different polymers. This actually makes some forms difficult, and costly, to recycle. Most counties can recycle #1 and #2 forms of plastic. Water bottles are made from a form of plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These are easier and less costly to recycle than some other forms but they must be disposed of separately. One PVC bottle in a truck load of plastic water bottles will keep the entire truck load from being recycled.
Another issue, which you will be hearing more about this month, are microplastics. Much of the plastic that reaches the ocean will break down due the sun and the ocean elements. These bring on their own problems – read more about microplastics on this website or the link above.
We certainly encourage all folks who live in the panhandle, or who are visiting, to reduce the amount of solid waste they generate – recycle or compost what you can – and participate in community cleans ups – such as those put on by Ocean Hour. The International Coastal Clean Up will be September 17. Check the Escambia County website for locations. We can do this!
by Rick O'Connor | Sep 2, 2016
The Asian Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) have been reported across the northern Gulf of Mexico for several years now but unlike Cogon grass, Chinese tallow, and Lionfish they have not really made the press. We know they are there, but captures in shrimp trawls seem to be infrequent… it just does not look like a serious problem.
The Asian Tiger Shrimp can reach lengths of 12″
But now there is a study being conducted by Dr. Jennifer Hill (Louisiana Tech University) that sheds a little light on the impacts of this new invasive species. Working out of Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and funded by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, her study is looking at the interactions between the tiger shrimp and our native species – the white and brown shrimp.
Tiger Shrimp as Predators
Dr. Hill has discovered that tiger shrimp do not prefer salt marshes, as our native species do. They are apparently too large, ranging between 8 and 10 inches – some as large as 14 inches, and prefer more open environments. Tiger shrimp may prefer seagrass beds, another haunt for local shrimp, but she is not sure at the moment. She has noticed that when tiger shrimp are around the native shrimp move towards structure. This is to avoid predation by tiger shrimp, which do try and catch them – but they are not very good at it. Her study indicates that 80-90% of the native shrimp survive such attacks, but forcing the natives towards structure could impact the catch by our shrimpers.
Tiger Shrimp as Prey
Preferring open environments leaves tiger shrimp at a higher risk of predation. One thought is that their large size and dark color may not be recognized as a shrimp by local predators. One species that has shown interest in them are redfish. Dr. Hill has found that redfish will not hesitate to go after them, and may actually prefer them over white shrimp, but – because of the size of the tiger shrimp – it must be a large redfish.
Five tiger shrimp captured by shrimpers in Pensacola Bay.
Shrimpers in Alabama and Mississippi are currently selling the tiger shrimp they capture to Dr. Hill for her studies. She found that very few were captured in 2014, possibly due to the cold winter that year, but had plenty submitted in 2015. The mild winter of 2016 may produce a large number this summer. If you are shrimper in the Pensacola area, and interested in selling live tiger shrimp at $30 each, contact Dr. Hill at (251) 861-2141 ext. 2179.
by Rick O'Connor | Sep 2, 2016
Going along with the International Coastal Clean Up, UF/IFAS Extension will be promoting September as Microplastics Awareness month.
The most common form of microplastic are fibers.
Photo: UF IFAS St. johns County
If you have not heard, microplastics are small pieces of plastic < 5mm in diameter. Some are fragments from larger pieces of plastic that have been broken down by the elements, others are produced at that size to be used in products such as stuffed animals or melted in molds to produce larger products. Some microplastics are small beads used in cosmetics, but the most common are fibers from our linens and clothing. These fibers are removed during washing and travel through the drain and sewer systems until the reach the sea. Either way – they end up in our coastal waterways where they have had some negative impacts on marine life.
Some impacts include:
- Consumption by plankton give the sensation of being full – thus they stop eating.
- A decrease in the reproductive success of oysters.
- Negative impacts on hatching rates and activity rates of some species of larval fish, making them more prone to predation.
- They have also been found to be more common in sea salt and have been found in the guts of some fish and bivalves sold at seafood markets on the west coast. We are not sure of the impact of human consumption of these products.
Small microbeads called “nurdles” are used to fill stuffed animals and to make larger plastic products.
Photo: UF IFAS St. Johns County
During the month of September, we will be posting short articles on our Facebook pages and on Panhandle Outdoors. Extension will also host a webinar on the topic September 16. It will be broadcast from 12:15 to 1:00 PM EDT. To register for this webinar go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whats-the-big-deal-with-microplastics-webinar-tickets-27070847634. Please like and share these with your friends so that we can make more people aware of this problem. If you would like to have a public presentation on microplastics, contact your county Extension office. Check in on these posts throughout the month.
http://facebook.com/NEFLSeaGrant
https://www.facebook.com/MicroplasticAwarenessProject
www.plasticaware.org
by Rick O'Connor | Aug 26, 2016
It is August, we are just off another successful Sea Turtle Baby Shower event in the Pensacola area, and we are in peak season for sea turtle hatching. Those little guys have a tough road to follow trying to emerge from their nest to reach the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Within the nest the young wait for cooler temperatures and no vibrations to begin their climb towards the surface. Once they have emerged, they locate the shortwave light of the moon and stars reflecting off of the water and head for sea. However, ghost crabs, fox, and coyotes, all excavate nests and consume hatchlings running across the sand.
This sea turtle frequents the nearshore snorkel reef at Park East in Escambia County.
Photo: Robert Turpin
But these predators are not alone on Pensacola Beach. Humans have moved onto the island in large numbers. Vehicle tracks, large holes, tents, chairs, and our pets all are obstacles for the young in their journey to the sea. One of the larger problem has been lighting. Most of our buildings are well lit for safety. We tend to use shortwave lighting systems that produce bright white lights similar to what the moon and stars reflect off of the Gulf – many times brighter. Because of this many of the hatchlings will disorient and travel towards the buildings and roads instead of the open Gulf… this certainly is not good. Disoriented turtles will wonder onto road ways where they are hit by cars, and under or around buildings where they can become lost or come in contact with house pets and rats – not to mention the increase time on land will increase the chance of a native predator finding them. If they make it until morning, there is the problem of shorebirds and the sun – the chances of the hatchlings surviving a disorientation are not good.
There are a variety of reasons why sea turtle populations are low enough to have them listed, but this is certain one of the larger problems. Data from Escambia County extending back to 1996 show that, on average, 48% of the sea turtle nests disorient – and it has been as high as 70%.
So What Can We Do to Help the 2017 hatchlings?
First, we are having a big year for nesting. Mark Nicholas, GINS and permit holder for sea turtle work here, indicated there were 101 nests in our area this year… we have a chance to have a really big and successful sea turtle nesting season – with a little help from you.
- Clean the beach before you head in for the night. Most panhandle counties actually have a “Leave No Trace” ordinance which requires the removal of chairs, tents, etc. – but be sure the holes are filled in and the trash is removed as well.
- For inside lighting – turn down the lights and/or close the currents. Exterior lighting should be “turtle friendly” – meaning long wavelength – which means yellow/red. Most panhandle counties have an ordinance for exterior lighting. In Escambia County residents have until 2018 to comply – but we encourage you to make those changes as soon as you can to help the turtles hatching this season. “Turtle Friendly” would include the big three – KEEP IT LOW, KEEP IT LONG, AND KEEP IT SHIELDED. Keep it low meaning as low to the ground as you can. If that is not possible, place a shield on the fixture to direct the light down to where you are walking and not out to the beach. Keep it long refers to the wavelength, longer than 560 nanometers, which is in the yellow/red range of color. Studies show that hatchlings are attracted to the shortwaves (white/blue) end of the spectrum. Having long wave lighting will increase the chances of the hatchling finding the shortwaves from stars off of the Gulf. You will want to keep the illumination down as well. We recommend 25W bulbs, which is bright enough to see and reduces the chance of attracting a young turtle.
- Keep a distance from the marked nests – remember that vibrations (even from your walking) can cause the hatchlings to wait – and waiting too long can cost them their lives. If you are lucky enough to see baby turtles crawling for the Gulf – do not use flash photography and do not use flash lights – unless they have a protective red film producing a low intensity red light.
- If you find a group of hatchlings that are obviously disoriented, contact the local authority in your area. In Escambia County we recommend calling the sheriff substation on the island or the Gulf Breeze dispatch – who will contact the National Park.
If you have questions about turtle lighting options, the current county ordinances designed to help island wildlife, or the Turtle Friendly Beaches program, contact your County Extension Sea Grant Agent.
Many counties in the panhandle have lighting and barrier ordinances to protect wildlife and workers.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
by Rick O'Connor | Aug 26, 2016
MAN do folks in the Florida panhandle like scallops. I recently visited boat ramps at Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach (in the Big Bend) and the parking lots were full of trucks and boat trailers belonging to people combing the grassbeds of the Gulf searching for this popular bivalve. Scalloping is a fun activity that gets the whole family outside snorkeling and finding all sorts of local marine life. And scallops taste good… their sweet meat broiled in butter is a real Florida panhandle treat. Many locals remember years ago collecting scallops with family and friends in Pensacola Bay area …. Good times!
Bay Scallop Argopecten iradians
http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bay-scallops/
But that was another time. Scallop populations have declined across Florida’s Gulf coast. Today commercial harvesting is banned and recreational harvest is limited to the Big Bend area between the Bay/Gulf and the Hernando/Pasco county lines (visit map). Within this area there is a seasonal limit, bag limit, and harvesting equipment limits. The season runs from Jun 25 – Sep 24 (except in Gulf County). Harvesters can collect 2 gallons whole (or 1 pint cleaned) / person / day. There is a maximum of 10 gallons whole / vessel / day. You can collect by hand or using a dip net. All harvesters are required to have a Florida saltwater fishing license unless (a) they are exempt from such a license, or (b) they are wading nearshore and their feet do not leave the bottom (no swimming or snorkeling). For 2016 the regulations for Gulf County have changed, please visit the above link at FWC for those changes. BUT wouldn’t it be great to be able to scallop in the Pensacola Bay area again?
County Extension Sea Grant Agents have been working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission surveying Gulf coast bays that once had scallop populations – including Pensacola Bay. The purpose is to determine the status of these animals at the moment. Scallops are mass spawners and need a relatively high density of individuals in order for reproduction to be successful. The state could easily “re-seed” these areas with scallops to increase the density but their populations declined for a reason. Was it water quality? Loss of habitat? Heavy predation (human or marine life)? Or a combination? We are not sure… but a re-seeding project will not be successful until it can be determined that the stresses that caused the reduction have improved enough that the scallop will survive.
A pile of cleaned scallops found in a parking lot on Pensacola Bay. Harvesting scallop in Pensacola Bay is illegal.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
On that note, Santa Rosa and Escambia County Extension Sea Grant Agents recently held two scallop surveys; one in Santa Rosa Sound and one in Big Lagoon. The morning of our Santa Rosa Sound survey we found a pile of cleaned scallops in the parking lot of Shoreline Park (approximately 35 scallops). This is a good sign in that it suggests scallops are trying to make a comeback here. It is bad in that they were harvested. Many in our community are not aware that harvesting scallops in Pensacola Bay is illegal. No recreational or commercial harvest of bay scallop is allowed, even during scallop season, west of the Gulf County/Bay County line (Mexico Beach). If you are out paddling around our grass beds and find live scallop please let your county Sea Grant Agent know, but also remember that you are not allowed to harvest them. Hopefully one day we will be able to tell you that yes you can, but until then we need to give them a chance to spawn and see if our grassbeds, and water quality, are sufficient enough for them to return.
