Environmental Tidbits for Pinellas County

The Striped Burrfish is a type of pufferfish  named for the spines covering its head which look like large burrs. It puffs up in size, with an organ known as a buccal pump, to appear larger in order to intimidate predators. Adults are most often found in seagrass beds. We commonly see Striped Burrfish in Tampa Bay during otter trawl sessions on our classroom boat with Estuary EDventures field trips!  Source: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/.

Be a part of Manatee Watch for Gasparilla InvasionVolunteers needed on January 26

A2L Technologies, Inc. is recruiting volunteers to be a part of Manatee Watch for the 2019 Gasparilla Flotilla Invasion on January 26, 2019, to protect the manatees. Volunteer needs include:

  • 6 private captained boats flanking the flotilla  (2 spotter volunteers on each vessel)
  • Lead Coast Guard vessel – 1 spotter volunteer
  • 2 Coast Guard auxiliary vessels – 1 spotter volunteer on each vessel
  • Tampa General Hospital roof – 2 spotter volunteers
  • Tampa Convention Center – 2 spotter volunteers
  • Davis Island Airport – 2 spotter volunteers

For each volunteer group, a meeting will be held with the group representative to lay out the requirements of your responsibilities. Observers without prior experience will be required to view the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC’s) “Introduction to Manatees” video.

Interested volunteers should contact: Larry G. Schmaltz, President of A2L Technologies, Inc. at larrys@a2ltech.com or 813-480-1437. Assist in living shoreline project at MacDill Air Force Base December 6, 7, or 14, 9 am – Noon each day.

Tampa Bay Watch is recruiting volunteers to install oyster domes on December 6 & 7 to build an oyster shell bar on December 14 from 9am – noon each day on the shoreline of MacDill Air Force Base.

The oyster shell project on 12/14 involves shoveling fossilized shell into mesh bags, transporting the bags to the project site, and placing oyster shell bags on the shoreline to create a series of oyster bars. It is pretty physical labor with oyster shell bags weighing around 30 pounds each, so the minimum age to participate is 18 years old.

You must have a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and car insurance to drive onto the base. We’ll ask you for some personal info in the volunteer registration process: your full name, the state that issued your driver’s license, driver’s license number, & the expiration date of your driver’s license for MacDill’s security clearance.

MANATEES

Look out and slow down for manatees to help them as they begin migrating to warmer waters. November is Manatee Awareness Month.

Florida has more than 6,600 manatees swimming in rivers, bays and coastal waters. These large aquatic mammals can weigh over 1,000 pounds. 

As the weather cools, manatees are on the move, searching for warmer waters to survive the winter. Remember: Disturbing manatees at warm-water sites may cause them to leave those areas at a time when it is critical for them to remain there. 

“Boaters who look out for migrating manatees and follow posted manatee protection zones contribute to the conservation of this threatened species. They are reducing the chance of manatee injuries and disturbance, while enjoying their time on the water,” said Carol Knox, who leads the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Imperiled Species Management Section. 

Seasonal manatee protection zones also go into effect in the fall, depending on the county. The zones are marked by waterway signs, and maps of local manatee protection zones are available online at MyFWC.com/Manatee by clicking on “Data and Maps.”

How can you help manatees?

  • Wear polarized sunglasses to spot them moving, grazing and resting in the water. • Keep a lookout for the circular “footprints” or ripples they leave on the surface of the water.
  • Follow posted manatee zones.
  • Observe manatees from a distance to limit disturbance. Disturbing manatees at their warm-water sites may cause them to leave these areas during the winter.

Report injured, entangled, orphaned or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on your cellphone or text Tip@MyFWC.com

  • Access and share A boater’s guide to living with Florida manatees and  Guidelines for success-ful manatee watching in Florida that focuses on paddlers. 
  • Purchase the manatee decal and license plate and tell everyone how the decal and license plate support the FWC’s manatee conservation efforts.
  • Contribute to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida’s Marine Mammal Fund by visiting WildlifeFlorida.org and clicking on “Support Us,” “Funding Priorities” and “Marine Mammal Fund.” 

Florida invests over $2 million annually in manatee conservation, with FWC biologists, managers and law enforcement working with partners to research, rescue and manage Florida manatees. Want to see a manatee?

Go to MyFWC.com/Manatee and click on “Where Can I See Manatees?”

Tampa Bay Watch is located at 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33715-2516. For more information visit tampabaywatch.org.

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