Things are Getting Hot on the Island… Discovering the Florida Panhandle – Barrier Islands – July
The air temperatures are in the high ‘90’s and the heat indices are reaching over 100°F; heck the inland water temperatures are in the high ‘80’s – it’s just hot out there! But our barrier island wildlife friends are doing okay, they have had to deal with this many...
Looks like a Typical Year for the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone
What is the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone you ask? Well…it’s a layer of hypoxic water (low in dissolved oxygen) on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. It was first detected in the 1970’s but reached its peak in size in the 1990’s. The low levels of dissolved oxygen decrease...
Dodder: Vampire Plant or Nature’s Own Genetic Modification Organism?
Vampires of all types and genetic modifications are hot topics these days, and a common, but uncommon looking and acting Florida weed may have combined the two subjects. Dodder, a native invasive, parasitic plant, reproduces by seed but does not have enough leaves or...
What You Need to Know About Vibrio Bacteria in Gulf Waters
After the recent report of a fatality due to the Vibrio bacteria near Tampa many locals have become concerned about their safety when entering the Gulf of Mexico this time of year. So what are the risks and how do you protect yourself? What is the Flesh Eating...
What Caused the Fish Kill Along the Florida Panhandle This Week?
This past week hundreds of dead fish washed ashore between Escambia and Okaloosa counties. Most were of one species but there were others who died and it appeared they had been in the water for quite a while. Determining the cause of fish kill can be tricky....
Shark Safety Tips
Shark Safety Tips UF/IFAS Extension – Florida Sea Grant By L. Scott Jackson (Bay County) and Rick O’Connor (Escambia County) Recently, two teens were victims of unusual shark attacks in North Carolina. The two attacks occurred within minutes and miles of each other. A...
It is One Goliath of a Fish… the Goliath Grouper
For many who are seafood lovers there is nothing like a good grouper sandwich; makes me hungry just to write that. Groupers are members of the one of the largest families of fish in the Gulf of Mexico. There are 33 species in the family Serranidae, which include sea...
April Shows DO Bring May Flowers – Discovering the Panhandle – Barrier Islands
This month there were many more plants flowering… it is true that April showers do bring May flowers. May not only brings more flowers but more tourists. Everyone is out enjoying the weather, including some wildlife. I was happy to include Florida Master...
Cnidarians: Stinging Nettles of the Animal Kind
“Ouch, something just stung me.” This is a common phrase to hear someone say (I’ve heard myself say it) while enjoying the otherwise soothing waters along our beautiful Gulf Coast. We host an amazing variety of marine organisms that possess the ability to sting when...
3 Ways You Can Help Keep Our Bays Healthy
Following a previous article on the number of ways you can help sea turtles, this week we will look at ways that local residents can help keep our waterways clean. Poor water quality is a concern all over the country, and so it is locally as well. When we have heavy...