by Rick O'Connor | Nov 22, 2013
It seems everyone in the Panhandle is talking about the invasive lionfish. This non-native member of the scorpionfish family was first seen in U.S. waters in 1989 near Ft. Lauderdale. Over the last two decades, much has been learned about the biology and potential impacts of lionfish in our waters; For additional background information you can read more at these websites http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/marine-species/lionfish and http://escambia.ifas.ufl.edu/marine/2012/08/17/the-invasion-of-the-lionfish
This past October, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission held the first state lionfish summit in Cocoa Beach. Researchers, fishery managers, divers, fishermen, and the general public received research updates, discussed current issues, and provided input regarding future management needs. Here are a few of the interesting highlights from the summit.
Red Lionfish
Photo: Florida Sea Grant
What are the potential problems?
- Several theories on how lionfish were initial released into state waters have been suggested. However, research results now indicate a single introduction of lionfish in Florida initiated the invasion into the Western Atlantic presumably from just a few aquarium specimens.
- Sixty-thousand lionfish continue to be imported into the state each year.
- Compared to native Pacific population, Florida densities of lionfish are much higher; 400 fish/hectare in Florida compared to 80 fish/hectare in the Pacific. On average, invasive Atlantic Lionfish individuals are larger than the native populations in the Pacific basin.
- Studies from Pensacola showed that lionfish population has doubled annually since 2010 and lionfish densities are highest on artificial reefs.
- Invasive lionfish have no natural predators and may spawn 30,000 – 40,000 eggs every 2 to 4 days.
- Another potential problem reported are records of lionfish entering the Loxahatchee and Indian Rivers; indicating that they are able to move into brackish water.
What are the negative impacts?
Young lionfish feed primarily on crustaceans and when they are older they prey on reef fish. Research and stomach analysis indicate 70 different reef fish species as potential prey. Lobster fishermen in the Keys found lionfish are the leading by-catch species and have reduced lobster harvest by as much as 50%. Another study indicates lionfish on natural reefs they prefer blennies. However, on artificial reefs they feed on small snappers, sea bass, and groupers. Finally, an interesting study compared primary reef predators. Reefs with only grouper there was a 36% decrease of juvenile fish while reefs with lionfish the decrease was 94%.
What can be done?
Several reports indicate that collecting tournaments are effective; Lad Akins of Reef Environmental Education Foundation (www.reef.org) reported a 69% reduction of lionfish from one event in Key Largo. Another study had similar results but indicated that some spear fishermen were more successful than others, suggesting training may be required to increase efficiency.
Other reports indicate that work where native fish were introduced and conditioned to consume lionfish have led these native predators to follow and even bite divers thinking that “free food” may be available; it was suggested that this idea not be pursued.
Locally, lionfish rodeos sponsored by Emerald Coast Reef Association occur frequently in Okaloosa County. Escambia County Marine Resources hosted a pilot event this summer. Escambia will begin a full lionfish control program in 2014. If you have questions or comments, please contact your local UF/IFAS natural resource or Sea Grant Extension Agent.
Please note: UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant does not organize volunteers to participate in local lionfish control events; this is done by independent community groups. UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant provides this information about food safety concerns associated with eating lionfish. Click here for more information.
by Rick O'Connor | Jul 20, 2013
Beach vitex expands its woody rhizomes aggressively; it can actually grow over sidewalks and driveways.
It’s actually a pretty plant, this Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia), and it is very good at stabilizing eroding dunes. In the 1990’s, the state of South Carolina planted this shrub to help restore dunes lost during hurricanes. It was selected because of salt tolerance, production of woody rhizomes (runners) that extend over 60 feet to trap sand, and the beautiful purple flowers that attract beneficial insects; it seemed perfect! However, folks along the Atlantic coast had no idea how invasive it would become a few years later. Residents discovered that it chokes out many of the native species such as sea rocket and sea oats producing an area of only this plant.
It is now causing problems for sea turtles. As you can see in some of these photos, the plant grows over the fore-dune, blocking access for nesting. Beach Vitex grows so aggressively that during the 60 day incubation time many turtle nests are overgrown, entrapping the hatchlings. Some have been found dead, entangled within the rhizome mats. The Beach Vitex “invasion” has become so bad that South Carolina developed a Vitex Task Force to deal with the problem.
This yard on Pensacola Beach has become overrun by vitex.
Is this a problem for Florida?
According to the records the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System EDDmaps.com, Beach Vitex is distributed northward to the Chesapeake Bay area and south to Jacksonville. It is found in coastal Alabama and there is one record of the plant in Escambia County.
With so few records in Florida it is not currently listed as an invasive species in our state and there is no program set up to control it. However the Sea Grant Extension Agent in Escambia County, Rick O’Connor, was alerted in 2013 that vitex was in Gulf Breeze, Florida (Santa Rosa County) and possibly on Santa Rosa Island (Escambia County).
Please circulate to area residents to provide visual identification of Beach Vitex. Contact your Extension Office for control options and help reduce it’s impact on native species.
A “Wanted Poster” was developed by O’Connor to post in the coastal communities of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to see if the plant was more common than the records indicated. At this time, six properties on Santa Rosa Island have confirmed records of Vitex and two more will be surveyed soon. The wanted poster program was published in the local newspaper which reached the east coast of Florida. Reports from that coast indicate that it has extended south into Volusia County. Okaloosa/Walton Sea Grant Agent Brooke Saari is posting the wanted poster in those counties to see if the plant has reached their coasts.
The owner of this yard mowed the vitex. However the woody rhizomes are still present. They will need to either dig this up or use multiple chemical applications to completely remove.
Anyone along the coast of the Florida Panhandle who feels they may have this plant can contact either Rick O’Connor (850-475-5230; roc1@ufl.edu) or Brooke Saari (850-689-5850; bsaari@ufl.edu) and we can confirm identification. The plant is not currently listed as invasive in our state and removal is not required. However, based on the experience in the Carolina’s and other invasive species, if you wish to eradicate this plant doing so early is important. It is much less labor intensive and less costly when there are few plants. If you do choose to remove it please contact your local Extension office first. We can provide methods of successful removal. We would also like to photograph and log the record on EDDmaps.
Editor’s note: Rick provided all the photos in this article.
by Rick O'Connor | Mar 13, 2013
Those who have lived in the Panhandle area for many years will remember the days when our local bayous were places people water skied, kids learned to swim, and fishermen brought home plenty of speckled trout. But today we see little of this. Water quality within our bayous has declined to a point that the general public is concerned about recreation within them and most use them as access to larger bodies of water where they can enjoy water activities.
What Happened?
The mouth of Bayou Grande near Navy Point; a popular recreation location
Those who lived here when things were better say they first noticed problems when new roads and subdivisions were built in the 1950’s. Decline in water clarity was one of the first things they noticed. This was followed by a loss of submerged grasses, fish kills, and an increase in health advisories due to high levels of bacteria. These new subdivisions cleared much of the native vegetation in the neighborhoods and along the water front. The loss of vegetation and new roads allowed for more runoff to reach the bayous. Much of this runoff was in the form of leaf litter, twigs, animal waste, and maybe even carcasses of dead creatures. Once reaching the water these organics are broken down by bacteria into forms of nitrogen and phosphorus that can be utilized by aquatic plants and phytoplankton. This increase in plants will produce more oxygen, but they also consume oxygen in the evening. The high demand for oxygen in the evening can cause dissolved oxygen levels to decline to a point where aquatic life begins stressing; we now say the water is hypoxic. To add to the problem people began to have the desire for lawns of non-native grasses which require fertilizer and watering; thus increasing the nutrient load on the system and an increase in hypoxia. This eutrophication process was a major contributor to the fish kills that the bayous were experiencing.
In addition to nutrients, animal waste could be found in the stormwater. Animal waste can contain pathogens that could be a serious risk to public health. Scientists monitor the concentration of these pathogenic bacteria by using a group of indicator bacteria called fecal coliform bacteria. High levels of these fecal coliforms indicate that a potential health risk could be present and the Escambia County Health Department would issue a health advisory for that body of water. A study showed that the concentration of fecal coliforms increased in areas where coastal development increased, connecting them to stormwater problems.
So What Can We Do?
Marine Science Academy students from Washington High School measuring chlorophyll in Bayou Texar; photo: Ed Bauer
We will probably never be able to get the bayous back to the state they were in before the development boom of the mid-20th century but there are few things we can do.
First, the reason the nutrients and fecal coliforms increased was an increase in runoff. This increase was due to road construction and loss of vegetation. We cannot do much about the roads but we can rethink how we landscape our yards and waterfront property.
The Florida Friendly Yards Program is one that helps residents with selecting plants and landscaping features that require little or no fertilizer or water. This not only reduces the runoff but saves the homeowner money. Rain barrels and rain gardens are also methods that can both reduce water runoff and save money. For more information on this program you can contact Carrie Stevenson at the Escambia County Extension Office; 850-475-5230 or ctsteven@ufl.edu.
Shoreline vegetation can be restored through the Living Shoreline Program. In this program the Florida Department of Environmental Protection works with the homeowner on designing a shoreline marsh and/or oyster reef project. Living Shorelines utilize plants that remove much of the nutrients found in runoff and oysters are known to filter 50 gallons of water per day, reducing turbidity typically caused by runoff. Not only do Living Shorelines reduce nutrient runoff, they also reduce erosion caused by wave energy. For more information on Living Shorelines contact Beth Fugate at beth.l.fugate@dep.state.fl.us.
Planting a Living Shoreline on Bayou Texar in Pensacola; photo: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
A third program that can help bring back the bayou is the Clean Marina / Vessel Program. This program is through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. For more information contact Jeanne Williams at Jeanne.Williams@dep.state.fl.us.
We hope you will consider using one of these programs to help improve the water quality within our bayous. If you are interested in having a presentation on these programs contact Rick O’Connor at the Escambia County Extension Office; 850-475-5230 or roc1@ufl.edu.
by Rick O'Connor | Feb 7, 2013
The Timber Rattler, also known as the Canebrake Rattlesnake can grow to over 6 feet. Commonly found in damp woodland environments. Photo Courtesy of Molly O’Connor
The Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation has dubbed 2013 as the “Year of the Snake”. There are many animals that strike fear in humans but little cause more than snakes. Interestingly kids seem to like them. It is when we become an adult that we do not. Why is that?
Snakes are very cryptic and stealthy hunters preferring the mode of hide-ambush. We encounter them along a trail only to be surprised and the “surprise” scares us to death! Many people do not like surprises and never want to experience that feeling again; so snakes become enemies.
The ole saying “the only good snake is a dead snake” is very true to many people. Many of us have encountered snakes and a few may have been bitten. Studies suggest that 95% of humans bitten by snakes are either trying to catch it, or kill it. So the lesson is clear… if you do not want to get bit, leave it alone.
Snakes in fact do very good things for us. They are one of the best “rodenticides” you will find. It is actually better to find a snake in your barn than a rat. Like spiders and bats, which consume thousands of unwanted insects, snakes should be appreciated for what they do for us and left to do it.
This diamondback has beautiful camouflage markings, helping it hide and ambush prey. Photo courtesy of Molly O’Connor.
A large snake like this almost invites the adventurous to chase and pick it up. This is not recommended since 95% of snake bites occur while trying to pick-up or kill a snake. Better to leave in place and give space. Photo courtesy of Alan Dennis.
Ray Ashton lists 66 species and subspecies of snakes in the state of Florida. Only 6 of these are venomous. 60 (91%) of Florida snakes belong to the Family Colubridae. All colubrid snakes in Florida are non-venomous. They can be distinguished from the others by their round pupils, narrow heads, and solid (non-hollow) teeth. There are five species of Florida snakes in the Family Viperidae. The “pit-vipers” have hollow hinged fangs through which they can inject venom. They possess elliptical pupils and have a “pit” between the eye and nostril that can detect infra-red heat. One species, the coral snake, is found in the Family Elapidae. Elapids are some of the most venomous snakes in the world and include such animals as the cobras and sea snakes. They differ from pit-vipers in that they have round pupils and small heads (not “diamond” shaped) and differ from colubrids in that they have straight hollow fangs for injecting venom.
Snakes do not chase people down; they are actually afraid of us and only bite in defense. All snakes warn before they bite. Some snakes will musk hoping you smell it and move away. Most snakes will shake their tails; often against dead leaves to make a rattling sound. Many will make themselves look larger by opening their mouth wide or by flattening out their head and/or body. They do not want to bite; they bite as a last resort.
Rick O’Connor shows non-venomous snake to kayakers on recent field trip. Photo courtesy of Carrie T. Stevenson.
To celebrate “THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE” we will be posting articles on different snakes found in Northwest Florida each month over the course of 2013. If you are interested in more information, contact Rick O’Connor at roc1@ufl.edu or call 850-475-5230. This month’s Snake Pictures are rattlesnakes!
References:
Ashton, R.E., P.S. Ashton. (1981). Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida, Part One; the snakes. Windward Publishing. Miami FL. pp. 176.
Gibbons, W., M. Dorcas (2005). Snakes of the Southeast. University of Georgia Press. Athens GA. pp. 253.
The smallest of the rattlesnakes is the pygmy. It’s also the smallest venomous snake in Florida. Despite it’s size, it’s capable of holding it’s own when it feels threatened. Photo courtesy of Molly O’Connor
by Rick O'Connor | Jan 30, 2013
Boaters should consider additional fuel prep when a boat will not be in use for an extended time period. Photo Courtesy of Florida Sea Grant
Since the introduction of 10% ethanol to gasoline (E-10 fuel) many boaters, including yours truly, have had problems with fouled fuel filters and marine engines not running at their top performance. The ethanol added to the fuel combines with oxygen increasing the combustion process. This makes for a more efficient burning fuel and less emissions for the environment. Sounds great, but it has been a nightmare for mariners.
The problem with boats is that we do not use them on a daily basis as we do our cars. When E-10 fuel sits it will absorb oxygen via water vapor through the vents. Over time the ethanol/water mixture begins to separate from the gasoline in a process called “phase separation”.
Extreme separation leaves a milky, rusty brown mixture at the bottom of the fuel tank; right where the intake for the fuel line is on many motors. This mixture moves through the motor clogging fuel filters, miss-firing, or not running at all.
Water contaminated ethanol fuel creates a mixture that can breakdown fiberglass fuel tanks, fuel lines, and sealing rings releasing particles that plug filters as well. To counter this problem Jeff Posner, of Posner Marine in Pensacola, recommends a fuel stabilizer that will inhibit phase separation. The manufacturers state that adding the correct amount will inhibit separation for 12 months. A colleague of mine has used this product while his boat sat for three months and had no problems with the engine after that period of time. Posner does recommend you read the label to make sure you are purchasing “marine-grade” stabilizer and not one meant for lawn mowers or chains saws. CR 4000 fuel lines will inhibit deterioration but Posner mentioned that motors built since 2000 should have these already.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THE E-10 FUEL OVER LONG PERIODS OF NON-USE?
Many boaters park their boats for the winter. There has been a debate as to whether to store the can empty and buy new fuel in spring or store full with stabilizer. According to several sources the better of the two options is to fill the tank 95% full and add the stabilizer. Empty space in the tank will fill with water vapor entering through the vents. More space equals more water which equals more separation which equals more problems. The tank should be 95% full to allow for expansion of gases. Many portable fuel tanks do not have vents, thus no water vapor entry, but Posner states any water vapor in the tank will trigger separation if the temperature increases; so keep portable tanks cool and out of the sunlight. He also recommends that the fuel with stabilizer run through the motor before you park it for the winter.
There are service stations in the Panhandle that sell gasoline with no ethanol; this can also be found at many local marinas. The cost may be more but could save you frustration and money down the road. The government is now considering E-15 fuel. Posner stated that the newer marine engines are designed for the E-10 but not the E-15, and that you should not use that in your boat until newer marine products designed for it are on the market.
So… when storing fuel in your motor over the winter, fill the tank, add stabilizer, run fuel through the motor, and place a new filter/water separator on the line for spring. With good winter prepping you should have a great boating summer. You can find more information at the following:
http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/ethanol.asp
http://msucares.com/newsletters/gulf/201203.html
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dbor/e10gas.htm
http://www.oregon.gov/osmb/pages/news/e10winterizing.aspx
