Organized and sponsored by Florida Sea Grant, the “Stem to Stern” workshop in November 2023 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center marked a significant gathering in marine conservation and management. This event drew together legal experts, representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), local marine resource coordinators, law enforcement, and industry stakeholders to tackle critical issues facing Florida’s marine environments. Through discussions that ranged from legal frameworks for boating and waterway access to environmental conservation strategies, the workshop facilitated a deep dive into the complexities of marine policy and stewardship. Discover new programs, insights, and collective expertise shared at “Stem to Stern.”
Florida Sea Grant Boating and Waterways Workshop
November 2, 2023 Emerald Coast Convention Center
1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE – Ft. Walton Beach FL
9:00 – 9:25 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Welcome
Rick O’Connor (Florida Sea Grant UF IFAS Extension)
Moderators –Mike Norberg and Jessica Valek (Okaloosa County)
3:15 – 3:45 WRAP UP – Robert Turpin (Escambia County Marine Resources)
PROGRAM SPONSORS
Acknowledgement
We extend our deepest gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the “Stem to Stern” workshop. To our esteemed speakers, whose expertise and insights into marine conservation and management have been invaluable, we offer our sincere thanks. Your presentations were not only informative but also inspirational, guiding us toward a more sustainable future for our waterways.
A special acknowledgment goes to the members of the planning and program committee. Your dedication and hard work in organizing this event did not go unnoticed. From the initial planning stages to the execution of the workshop, your efforts have been the backbone of this successful gathering.
We also want to thank the authors of the surveys that have provided us with essential data and perspectives. Your research and analysis contribute significantly to our understanding of the challenges and opportunities within Florida boating and waterways.
Lastly, we are incredibly grateful for the support from our sponsors. Your generosity and commitment to Florida Sea Grant and marine conservation have been crucial in bringing this workshop to life. Your support not only made this event possible but also highlights your dedication to safeguarding our marine ecosystems.
Together, we have taken an important step towards protecting and enhancing Florida’s waterways. Thank you for your contributions, commitment, and shared vision for a sustainable future.
Information edited and compiled by: L. Scott Jackson, Chantille Weber, and Amon Philyaw, UF/IFAS Extension Bay County
An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Andra Johnson, Dean. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices.
Though this is titled late winter, it did not feel like winter on this walk. The air temperature was 75°F. There was a blanket of fog over the beach, and it felt slightly humid and sticky, but with a cooler feel than we have in summer. It is true that Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this year – signaling an early spring, and the weather today supported this, but spring does not officially begin until the equinox on March 21. So, this is a late winter walk.
This walk was near Big Sabine on Pensacola Beach. As I crossed the road at Park East and headed into the dunes there was a breeze from the south creating surf that could be heard across the island. The fog made things damp and chilled. And there was no sign of wildlife anywhere. The numerous songbirds I had encountered during early and mid-winter were gone. There were flowers in bloom but no insects pollinating them. Literally no wildlife was to be seen.
A foggy day on Pensacola Beach.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
So, I turned my focus to the environment, noticing plants and the stages they were in. As you move from the primary dunes of the Gulf side into the more shrub covered secondary dunes, you cross through low areas in the dune field called swales. Here water collects during rain events forming ephemeral ponds and the plants associated with this habitat are more wetland than upland. In the boggy portions of the swale, I found sundews large and in a brilliant red color. These carnivorous plants produce tiny droplets of sugar water on threads at the tips of their leaves that attract the pollinators of the beach. Though sweet and delicious, they are also sticky and trap unaware insects which become a meal for them. Along with the sundew were numerous strands of ground pine, another carnivorous plant of the swale.
Swales are low areas of the dune field where water stands for periods of time and the more wetland plants can exist.
Photo: Rick O’ConnorThe carnivorous sundew inhabits more wetland locations.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
Beyond the swale, the secondary dunes were a blanket of lavender. The false rosemary, also called beach heather (Conradina), was in full bloom everywhere. As I walked through the dunes of flowers I came across the signs of wildlife. Armadillo dens were quite common. There were tracks of animals, including the raccoon, and scat was found. The scat contained seeds and, unlike the long-tapered shape of most carnivore scat, was blunt and rectangular shaped – suggesting a herbivore or omnivore. I did encounter a couple of ephemeral ponds with very little water, but there were no animals, or animal sign, to be found there.
The false rosemary was in bloom and the dunes were full of this lavender color.
Photo: Rick O’ConnorArmadillo burrows like this one can be found all over our barrier islands.
Photo: Rick O’ConnorThe blunt ended and rectangular shape of this scat suggests it was from a herbivore or omnivore. It was full of seeds.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
As you move from the secondary dunes into the maritime forest you pick up a section of the Florida Trail. This 1,500-mile trail begins at Ft. Pickens on the western end of Santa Rosa Island and ends near the Everglades. It was obvious that many of the animals who live in these dunes use this trail as well, there were numerous tracks covering it. Over the ridge into the maritime forest, you encounter marshes. The plants you find growing there help indicate whether the marsh is fresh or salt water. Pausing here to see if something stirred or moved, I saw and heard nothing and continued on.
The orange blaze indicates this is part of the Florida Trail.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
The maritime forest was full of healthy pine and oak trees, creating a completely different habitat for the wildlife out here. You get the feeling when you enter the forest that this is where the creatures prefer to be. Raccoons, skunks, coyote, snakes, birds, lizards, exist here and I was hoping to find something. And then it happened. Glancing up into one of the pine trees I saw a great horned owl – bingo! These are amazing birds and there have been a few reports of nesting great horned owls around the area. I did not see the nest but was happy to see the owl.
The maritime forests of our barrier islands is a completely different environment than the open dune fields.
Photo: Rick O’ConnorUsing the nests of other raptors, great horned owls raise their young this time of year. This one is in the “extended” position suggesting it is alarmed.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
I eventually reached the shore of Santa Rosa Sound and walked along for half a mile or so. I did see a great blue heron in the marsh, and some wharf crabs under a plank of wood – but there was nothing visible in the clear water of the Sound. There was evidence of armadillos digging. One section of the beach they had basically destroyed digging for grubs and other invertebrates to eat.
All in all, it was a quiet day. I am guessing that the foggy conditions moved the animals into their hiding places waiting for the sun to come out. Our next walk will be in early spring, and we are hoping to see more wildlife.
You should get out and take a hike on our beaches, there are plenty of cool things to see and it’s great for your mind.
Day 2 of the Oyster South Symposium was the final day of presentations and the trade show, but it is also the day of the Shuck and Tell closing ceremonies. Another grey sky day greeted us, but the symposium was still full of oyster enthusiasts and farmers. Day 2’s talks focused more on marketing and the future of oyster farming, including discussion of a new program for Federal Crop Insurance and a panel of chefs discussing “What Chefs Want” when it comes to an oyster. The oyster disco ball also made an appearance, and I was finally able to snap a photo of that beauty!
The Famous Oyster Disco Ball! – Thomas Derbes II
Saturday’s talks started with a reflection of what Oyster South is and what it could be. Oyster South is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that strives to connect communities and provide resources to support oyster farmers, cultivate thriving communities, and promote healthy waters (Oyster South’s Mission Statement Here). While South is in its name, the scope of Oyster South has become national with visitors and farmers from both coasts coming to collaborate and share stories of their oyster farms. I was able to talk with farmers from all over the USA, from California, Washington State to New Jersey, North Carolina and even Texas where oyster farming is still in its infancy.
After the reflection, we were treated to two awesome panels, one discussing what chefs look for in an oyster and another on making the most out of social media. Every chef has a different view of what they want in an oyster, but consistency and a certain salty yet umami taste came up as something they strive to serve. Social media also plays a major role in oyster farming and distribution. I remember when I was an oyster farmer, I quickly had to learn how to do social media as this was the best way to advertise and promote your product. Most people have Instagram or Facebook now-a-days, so being able to post your story and availability was always helpful in increasing your following and sales.
Talking About What Extension Can Do For You at Oyster South Symposium – Thomas Derbes II
After the lunch break, we had a Three-Minute Tech Talk Session. We heard from graduate students that needed input from the oyster community on their research topics, oyster farm innovators discussing their newest and greatest creations to help oyster farmers, and I was even given the opportunity to talk about what extension can do for oyster farmers. After the tech talks, we heard about the federal crop insurance program for oyster farmers, as well as a great talk from Julie Qiu (a well-known oyster blogger, advocate, writer, and founder of the Oyster Master Guild) on oyster stewardship and how important it is to oyster consumers and the oyster industry. Beth Walton, executive director of Oyster South, closed out the talks with Oyster South Looking Forward, and the future of Oyster South and oyster farming is very, very bright.
Before the Shuck and Tell, I was able to grab a quick “linner” at an incredible restaurant named Cochon. I had previously worked with a chef that came from Cochon, and his stories were the reason I made a reservation. The food in New Orleans is top notch, and Cochon was the cherry on top of a great gastronomy tour.
When it comes to oyster parties, the Shuck and Tell is the ultimate oyster experience. Farmers from all over got together to shuck their product and tell their story of why they oyster farm and the story of the oyster being shucked at the wonderful Southern Food and Beverage Museum (aka SOFAB). I was blessed enough to jump in and help shuck for some passionate oyster farmers and learn more about their farms and history. A relatively new oyster farmer at Salt Revival Oyster Company arranged for a second line to come through SOFAB, and it was an incredible way to cap off a great Oyster South weekend. The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana was there to make sure all shells were recycled and used for future restoration projects.
Shucking With Salt Revival Oyster Company at the Shuck and Tell at SOFAB – Thomas Derbes II
The 2024 Oyster South Symposium was definitely one for the record books. The turnout was fantastic, and the camaraderie and collaboration between oyster farmers, researchers, and enthusiasts was a sight to behold. A major thank you to Bill and Beth Walton for always putting on an incredible symposium, and a big thank you to all the farmers who took time out of their busy schedule to share their oysters and stories. The Oyster South Symposium is an annual event, so keep your eyes peeled for the next symposium. I hope to see you at the next one in 2025!
The Second Line To Close Out Oyster South Symposium – Thomas Derbes II
I felt it this morning. That first bit of humidity in the air. That sign that it might indeed be time to move my tropical plants back outside and consider digging in my raised beds this weekend. My seed catalogs are dog-eared, and my local garden store is flush with seedlings. But then I remember, the squirrels, oh how I loath them. They love to thwart all my soil-based gardening attempts, despite my feeble attempts to guard my crops. My option? Return to one of my first loves, aquaponics.
I have been practicing aquaculture as a career for over 30 years and aquaponics for about 15 of those. Aquaponics is a unique food production method that combines aquaculture with hydroponics, or the raising fish with raising plants in a typically soilless system. The fish produce waste nutrients that bacteria in the system convert into a form that the plants can utilize and extract from the water, thereby cleaning the water for the fish. The process is a bit more complex than that and I can spend all day talking about it but that is the short version. Aquaponics can be done in small homemade systems or very large commercial systems. There are hundreds of designs online and you can spend hours online viewing what others have done. My recommendation is to start with the research-based information that you can get for free from colleges and universities and then explore once you are confident in the basics.
In Florida, many types of fish and plants have been successfully grown in aquaponics, however, there are some legal restrictions on some species of fish, so be sure to check before deciding on what fish you will grow. I chose to grow catfish in my system and over the years produced multiple crops and varieties of lettuce, bok choy, pak choy, cherry tomatoes, Swiss chard, basil, turmeric, and snow peas; the sky is the limit.
ARE YOU AWARE OF THE INVASIVE DUNE PLANT CALLED BEACH VITEX?
I would say most are not. Though the plant was known over a decade ago, the education/outreach on this species has not been equal to the effort of lionfish.
Vitex beginning to take over bike path on Pensacola Beach. Photo credit: Rick O’Connor
In 2012 I was contacted by a Gulf Breeze resident who had the invasive vine – beach vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) growing on her property. They told me that had it under control but felt it was coming from Pensacola Beach. I checked the EDDMapS database and found only three records of the plant in the state of Florida. Two were in Jacksonville and one was on Pensacola Beach. So, I went to investigate.
It was there… and it was pretty bad. The front yard was about 25% covered with the plant but a side yard and the back yard were 100% covered. I surveyed other parts of Pensacola Beach and found the plant in other locations. If you remember from Part 1 of this series, if you cannot prevent the invasive species from reaching your location, the next thing is Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR). This was definitely an EDRR species. We needed to get on top of this as soon as possible.
In 2013 I conducted a survey of Pensacola Beach on my bicycle. I found eight more locations that had the plant. They were all on private property. I asked the homeowners if they knew how the plant got there. Some replied that they had planted it. Others said that they had hired a landscaper, and this was the plant they had chosen. Others had no idea where it came from. At the time, beach vitex was not listed as an invasive species in Florida. It is now and is also listed as a Florida noxious weed (you can no longer sell it). It was time for a Rapid Response – education about the plant, its invasiveness, and how to manage.
Beach vitex is native to the Pacific coast of Asia. There, it grows in coastal areas where there is plenty of open sunlight and well drained soils. It was brought to the U.S. as a possible ornamental plant in the 1950s. There are no records of what happened to those initial plants, but a second wave was brought to North Carolina in the 1980s. They decided to use the plant in dune restoration after a hurricane and that is when it “raised its ugly head”.
Beach vitex is allelopathic – it releases compounds that pull water away from the native plants causing their death – vitex then takes over the newly empty space – spreading across the beach. The plant has a taproot from which extend vines that run across the surface of the sand in almost a 360° pattern. It begins as a soft herbaceous vine, but with time, becomes woody and larger in diameter. It will eventually grow vertical and become more of a shrub. In the Carolina’s it took over the dune systems forming a thick monoculture resembling kudzu – giving it their local name “beach kudzu”. During the summer months the vines can grow very quickly – up to 20 feet in one week – covering the landscape. At the time they were concerned this would impact sea turtle nesting, now there is evidence that it has. It also impacted a state listed dune plant they were trying to protect. North and South Carolina formed a state task force to battle the plant and have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars doing so. When we first posted we had found it on Pensacola Beach I was contacted by the Carolina Task Force and advised to get rid of it as quickly as possible.
My most recent survey was conducted in the fall of 2023. Currently the plant has been found at 100 sites.
61 of these are on Pensacola Beach. 57 (93%) are east of Casino Beach and 32 of those (56%) are north of Via DeLuna Blvd.
25 are within Gulf Islands National Seashore and 24 of those are at Naval Live Oaks.
7 sites at Navarre with 6 of those on Navarre Beach.
3 sites are in Gulf Breeze proper.
2 sites are on Perdido Bay.
2 sites are on Perdido Key.
At this time 74 of the 100 sites have been treated or removed.
36 of those 74 sites (49%) the plant has not returned. Treatment continues on the other 38 sites.
39 of the 61 sites on Pensacola Beach are private property, and it is up to the homeowner to manage the plant. Florida Sea Grant continues to hold community events to manage the 9 public sites on Pensacola Beach.
The most recent EDDMapS database shows that beach vitex occurs in two other panhandle counties. These include Okaloosa and Franklin. It is very possible they occur in others, but surveys have not been conducted.
Methods of managing this plant vary. Small, individual plants can be successfully removed by hand with no regrowth. Small patches can be removed to the taproots and those can be spot sprayed with herbicide. Large patches are very difficult to remove by hand and herbicides are recommended.
If you have questions as to whether or not you have beach vitex in your area, or need advice on how to manage it, contact your county extension office. It is EDRR time.
