Each year Florida Sea Grant conducts a summer survey of selected invasive species of concern in the coastal area of Pensacola Bay.
Below are the results of the 2025 survey.
Beach vitex
Beach vitex is an invasive vine that grows in the sands of our beaches and dunes. Our records currently show 108 sites in the bay area where the plant exists.
Location
Number of sites
Surveyed in 2025
Gulf Breeze
3
No
Pensacola Beach
68
Yes
Perdido Bay
2
No
Perdido Key
3
No
Gulf Islands National Seashore – Naval Live Oaks
24
No
Gulf Islands National Seashore – Ft. Pickens
1
No
Navarre Beach
8
No
Location
Private property
Public property
Status
Gulf Breeze
1
2
One of the public sites HAS been removed.
Pensacola Beach
42
26
25 sites have had the plant removed and it has not returned.
26 sites have had the plant removed BUT it has returned.
16 sites have never been treated. Most of these are private properties.
1 site status unknown (construction currently ongoing).
Perdido Bay
1
1
Status unknown.
Perdido Key
2
1
Private property is being treated. Status of public site is unknown.
Gulf Islands National Seashore – Naval Live Oaks
0
24
Unknown.
Gulf Islands National Seashore – Ft. Pickens
0
1
Status unknown.
Navarre Beach
?
?
Status of all is unknown.
Vitex beginning to take over bike path on Pensacola Beach. Photo credit: Rick O’Connor
Tilapia
We estimate there are about 60 Blue and Nile tilapia living in the upper “right arm” of Bayou Chico east of “W” Street (could be under estimated). There was a collection effort this year and 25 of those fish were removed. Surveys west of “W” street have not shown in evidence of tilapia invasion. We encourage waterfront residents of Bayou Chico to report any sightings of this fish.
Tilapia found in Pensacola. Photo: Molly O’Connor
Lionfish
It is well known that lionfish exist in the Gulf. Whether, and how many, exist within the bay is unknown. Since we began monitoring (2013) we know of 3 records within Big Lagoon – all were removed. In the last five years there have been reports of lionfish near the fishing pier at Ft. Pickens. Volunteer removals have removed at least 10 fish from this location. No surveys or removals occurred in 2025. Surveys were conducted at the snorkel reef near Park West, and the artificial reefs near the Grand Marlin in 2025 – no lionfish were found.
Photo courtesy of Florida Sea Grant
Cogongrass
Cogongrass has been found on Perdido Key. No surveys were conducted in 2025, and status is unknown.
Cogongrass shown here with seedheads – more typically seen in the spring. If you suspect you have cogongrass in or around your food plots please consult your UF/IFAS Extension Agent how control options. Photo credit: Mark Mauldin
Cuban Treefrogs
Several reports of additional Cuban treefrogs were submitted in 2025. According to the national database EDDMapS, there are 18 records from the Pensacola Bay area – 1 from Gulf Shores.
Location
Number of CTFs reported
Perdido Key
3
Downtown Pensacola
3
Ensley area
3
Near UWF
1
Near Scenic Heights
1
Pensacola Beach
2
This is most likely underreported. If you believe you have a Cuban treefrog, please contact the Escambia County Extension and/or report to the EDDMapS database. If you are interested in setting up a Cuban treefrog trap – contact the Extension Office to learn how.
Cuban Treefrog. Photo by: Dr. Steve Johnson
Giant salvinia
This invasive plant has been found in several locations within Bayou Chico. We will be removing a small portion of the problem near “W” Street this year. We encourage waterfront homeowners on Bayou Chico to assist with removal, and destruction, of this plant.
Active growing Giant Salvinia was observed growing out of the pond water on to moist soils and emerging cypress and tupelo tree trunks. Photo by L. Scott Jackson
Green mussels
There was one UNCONFIRMED report of this invasive mussel in Pensacola Bay. If you believe you have seen this – please contact the Escambia County Extension Office.
This cluster of green mussels occupies space that could be occupied by bivavles like osyters.
Nutria
There is a small population of nutria living on Perdido Key. At this time, they seem to be contained in a small location. If you believe you have seen this animal in your neighborhood, please contact the Escambia County Extension Office.
A dead nutria found along a roadside in Escambia County. Photo: Rick O’Connor
Tiger shrimp
The invasive tiger shrimp were reported in Pensacola Bay around 2013. We have had no reports since. EDDMapS shows 9 records from Pensacola Bay and 1 record from Milton.
The nonnative Asian Tiger Shrimp – also known as the Black Tiger Shrimp
Thrush Cowries
This is a new invasive species first reported this summer. The snail has been found on the pilings of the snorkel reef at Park East, Navarre snorkel reef, Pensacola Beach fishing pier, Casino Reef, and along the beach near the Flora-Bama. If you see this snail, please contact the Escambia County Extension Office.
They continue to come. Invasive species have always been a problem in Florida and many of the south Florida species are moving north. One of these is a new marine snail – the thrush cowrie.
This snail is from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean and has been dispersing across the oceans for some time now. Their larva are planktonic and can be carried by the current but are also believed to be dispersed via ships ballast. They were first reported along the eastern coast of Florida in 2022 and have recently been found along the Florida panhandle.
They are most abundant in waters less than 25’ feeding on vegetation but secrete their eggs on hard substrate like jetties and seawalls. If you find this snail, please remove it from the water and report it to your Sea Grant Agent at the local Extension Office. Information we would like when reporting includes the date found, time, location (latitude and longitude if known), water depth, how many, live or dead, your name, and any comments you would like to include.
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is one of the most noxious weeds in the U.S. and has been a problem in the agricultural and timberland for decades. In more recent years it has been found on our barrier islands. Stands of cogongrass on the beaches are not as massive and dense as they are in the upland regions of our district, but now is the time to try and manage it before it does. And NOW is the time to identify whether you have it on your property or not – it is in seed.
Cogongrass shown here with seedheads – more typically seen in the spring. If you suspect you have cogongrass in or around your food plots please consult your UF/IFAS Extension Agent how control options. Photo credit: Mark Mauldin
Cogongrass produces blades that resemble St. Augustine but are taller and wider. The blades can reach a height of three feet and the color is more of a yellow green (lime green) than the deep green of St. Augustine. If you can touch the blade, you will notice that the midline of the parallel leaf veins is off center slightly and the edges of the blades are serrated – feeling like a saw blade when you run fingers from top to bottom. They usually form dense stands – with a clumping appearance and, as mentioned, it is currently in seed, and this is very helpful with identification.
The midline vein of cogongrass is off-center. Photo: UF IFAS
The seeds are white, fluffy and elongated extending above the plant so the wind can catch them – similar to dandelions. These can easily be seen from the highway or riding your bike through the neighborhoods. As mentioned above, if you see seeds like this you can confirm the identification by examining the leaf blades. You can also send photos to your county extension office.
The white tufted seeds of cogongrass. Photo: University of Georgia
If the identification is confirmed the next step is to report the location on EDDMapS – https://www.eddmaps.org. You can also do this with the free app IveGotOne (which can be found on the EDDMapS website or any app store). HOWEVER, you cannot report private property without their permission.
The next step would be management. It is not recommended to mow or disturb the plant while in seed. Herbicide treatment is most effective in the fall. Many will mow the plant, allow the grass to resprout no more than 12 inches, and treat this with an herbicide. It is recommended that you contact your county extension office for recommendations as to which herbicide to use and how.
The negative impacts of this noxious grass have been an issue in the upland communities for decades. There have been few major issues with it in the coastal zone, but early detection rapid response is the most effective management plan to keep negative impacts from occurring. We encourage coastal communities to survey for cogongrass while it is in seed and develop a management plan for the fall.
With our articles this week we hoped to make you more aware of what an invasive species is, why they need to be managed, and some of the threats that exist in the Florida panhandle. We highlighted several species but there are many more. Some, like Chinese Tallow and Japanese Climbing Fern, are well established and will never be eradicated. Others, like giant salvinia and the Cuban treefrog, have been detected early enough that there MAY be a chance. As with all of these species – we only know what we know. It is likely that all locations of these species have not been reported.
This is where you can help.
Volunteers from the University of West Florida are removing beach vitex from Pensacola Beach.
Photo: Rick O’Connor
The first thing you can do is become familiar with the invasive species in your area.
The Six Rivers Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Homes, and Washington counties in the Florida panhandle. It also includes Baldwin, Escambia, and Covington counties in Alabama. On their website you will find a tab on the tool bar labeled EDRR. Here you can see a list of EDRR species found for this CISMA. We also have a list of what we call the “Dirty Dozen”. These are the top 12 established invasive species in this management area. The Apalachicola Regional Stewardship Alliance CISMA includes Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties. You can find the same information for that area at theirwebsite.
Second, report any invasive species to the EDDMapS database.
This is a national database used by resource managers to assess the status of invasive species in their area and develop management plans to address. We need your help reporting. You can do so on that website or download the app I’veGotOne from the website or your favorite app store. This is a free app that will allow you to photograph and report invasive species from the field. The data from this app populates the EDDMapS database.
Third, help manage these species.
You can do this on your property or participate in a community event that is removing invasive species in your area. If you have questions on the best methods for managing your property, or where a local event is occurring, contact your county extension office or your local CISMA.
Fourth, help us educate more in the panhandle about this issue. The effort to manage invasive species is similar to managing litter and debris. The more groups that are engaged, the larger our impact will be.
ARE YOU AWARE THAT GIANT SALVINIA HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE?
Most likely not.
The number of reports in the entire of Florida are very few. So, unless you live near one of the infested areas you are most likely not aware of this invasive plant.
This is an EDRR species with reason for concern.
The first record of this plant in the Pensacola area was in 2018. I was called to a local residence to discuss a possible living shoreline when we observed giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) floating on the west arm of Bayou Chico. Further investigation found the plant inhabiting the north arm of Bayou Chico as well as the Jackson Lake area. Though not reported on EDDMapS, we now know the plant has moved into the retention pond at nearby Lexington Terrace. There are currently nine records of this plant in that area, but we know that the plant covers much of that waterbody.
Active growing Giant Salvinia was observed growing out of the pond water on to moist soils and emerging cypress and tupelo tree trunks. Photo by L. Scott Jackson
At that time, I checked EDDMapS for other records in Florida. There was a report from Bay and one from Gadsden Counties. I did note that there were large infestations in Louisiana and Texas. There were also posts and videos from Texas explaining the bad situation they had and how residents there could help. The concern was so high from those states that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission formed a small team, based out of Bay County, to battle this plant and reduce its chance of spreading here. A true EDRR effort. That team is very present in Escambia County with constant survey and treatment projects ongoing.
A couple of years ago I was heading out west to camp. Our first stop was at Lake Bistineau near Shreveport LA. After setting up camp we walked down to the lake and witnessed a lake completely covered with small floating plants. No water could be seen. I did see a floating screen holding the floating plant outside of the swimming area. We walked onto a dock set up for fishing but there was no way you could fish there. The plant was so thick it would be impossible to get your bait below the surface. Then it hit me… this was giant salvinia – the plant FWC and local counties were working on controlling. I could see firsthand what would happen if we did nothing. From the dock I walked over to the swimming area and found a sign informing everyone about the potential threat of this plant and to be very careful NOT to take it with you to another area of the lake, or another body of water. After returning home, I worked with our county to educate the public about this plant, how to identify, report, and manage it.
Giant salvinia overgrowth in a backwater section of Bayou Chico in Escambia County. Photo credit: Escambia County Natural Resource Management
Giant salvinia is originally from Brazil and Argentina. It resembles our native duckweed but the leaves are larger – 0.5-1.0 inches long. It was intentionally brought here as an aquatic ornamental plant. It prefers freshwater with little or no movement and high in nutrients. We already mentioned how it can impede fishing and swimming – but it also blocks sunlight needed for submerged grasses and, during decomposition, can lower the dissolved oxygen within the water to levels lethal to fish and invertebrates.
The nine records in Pensacola, one in Panama City, and one in near Quincy have now been joined by 12 other records in Florida. Nine are in Jacksonville, two near Naples, and one near Lakeland. It has also been reported in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and the California/Arizona state line.
This is not a plant we want to spread across our state, EDRR is very important here.
What can you do to help?
Report any possible sighting to your local county extension office. If you are not sure if it is the plant – report anyway, someone will come out to verify the identification.
If it is small patches, remove from the water using a crab net, or swimming pool skimmer, place the plant out in the yard in direct sunlight to dry and kill it. It can then be double bagged and thrown in the trash.
If there are large areas covered with the plant, again, contact your county extension office who will connect with the FWC team to begin treatments.
As always, if you have any questions about this, or any other invasive species, contact your county extension office.
