Saving Seafood

Is it safe to eat seafood in the Tampa Bay area during Red Tide?

July 16, 2021 — With no end in sight for the Red Tide algal blooms currently plaguing the Tampa Bay area, questions have surfaced concerning the safety of the region’s locally sourced seafood. We spoke with several food safety and marine biology experts about what consumers should know before dining out and how best to avoid fish and seafood that may be contaminated.

Is it safe to eat local seafood during Red Tide?

The short answer is yes. Most of the local seafood sold at markets and restaurants in the Tampa Bay area is fished offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, and the industry is heavily regulated and monitored for safety. Florida grouper and snapper are all fished in areas far offshore nowhere near the coastal algal blooms plaguing the region, said Dr. Steve Murawski, a professor of fishery biology at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science.

“Generally, the major seafood components are offshore,” Murawski said. “This particular Red Tide is really restricted to the very near-shore area from north of Port Charlotte up to Pasco County, and in terms of sourcing traditional grouper, snapper, scallops … they wouldn’t be affected by this.”

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, storebought seafood and seafood served at local restaurants can be considered safe to eat because it’s been monitored and tested prior to distribution.

Read the full story at The Tampa Bay Times

FWC reminds boaters to recognize divers-down devices, flags amid scallop season

July 12, 2021 — Scallop season in Citrus County runs through Sept. 24 and is a draw for tourists and locals alike.

Because this activity is so popular, boats in local rivers and scallop harvest grounds can number in the thousands during weekends.

“Public safety remains paramount during these times and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers take on this responsibility as well responding to other situations in the area,” FWC area supervisor Capt. Rama Shuster said.

To assist during this busy time, additional FWC officers from outside the local area will be added to patrols. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Coast Guard will also provide support.

Read the full story at the Citrus County Chronicle

Rick Scott Calls on NOAA to Work With FWC on Investigation of Shark Abuse in Florida

May 11, 2021 — On Friday, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., sent a letter to Benjamin Friedman, the deputy undersecretary for operations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), urging the agency to work directly with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to provide any federal assistance needed in its investigation into allegations of tiger shark abuse in Citrus County.

The letter is below.

Dear Mr. Friedman:

This week, shocking images emerged showing boaters capturing and allegedly abusing a young tiger shark in Citrus County, Florida. These images are abhorrent and do not reflect the overwhelming respect and appreciation that Floridians have for our natural habitats and the species that call them home.

During my time as governor of Florida, and now U.S. senator, I have worked directly with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to protect our environment, properly manage our natural resources, and hold bad actors accountable. I understand that FWC is actively investigating the shocking photos from this incident and while that agency is certainly the proper investigative authority, I write today to encourage you to work collaboratively with FWC in any way possible to ensure those deliberately mistreating our wildlife are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. This is an important opportunity to build on state and federal partnerships and I ask that you make sure your agency stands fully prepared to offer any assistance requested.

Read the full story at Florida Daily

FLORIDA: FWC extends Lionfish Challenge and harvesters can win prizes

August 10, 2020 — The coronavirus has meant fewer people fishing and fewer divers spearing the invasive lionfish, which has led the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to extend its annual Lionfish Challenge.

Lionfish are a nonnative invasive species that have a potential negative impact on Florida’s native wildlife and habitat, according to the FWC.

The goal of the challenge is to encourage and reward recreational and commercial divers to remove lionfish from Florida waters, according to information provided by FWC. Winners in several categories were to be announced at the sixth annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day, but the 2020 event has been canceled; the next event is now scheduled for May 15-16, 2021.

As a result, the Lionfish Challenge was been extended, with participants now having until Nov. 1 to submit their lionfish.

Read the full story at the Pensacola News Journal

FLORIDA: Lionfish populations are down. But experts aren’t sure why or how long it might last

February 20, 2020 — Lionfish populations seem to be down at frequently fished reefs statewide, but experts aren’t quite sure why or how long the decline might last.

Earlier this month, scientists reported that a disease that creates open sores on invasive lionfish collected in the northern Gulf of Mexico may have contributed to a recent population decline.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is unsure of whether the apparent population decrease can be attributed to the disease, mitigation efforts, a natural ebb and flow of invasive species populations or a combination of those factors.

“What we do know is people are seeing them less and less on frequently visited reefs right now, and we do know they’re still in deep waters,” said Amanda Nalley, public information specialist for FWC. “It’s kind of one of those things, it’s fun to talk about, but there’s a lot of caveats and a lot we don’t know.”

Read the full story at the Pensacola News Journal

Florida Man Sentenced for Killing Endangered Sawfish

January 24, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Chad Ponce, a 38-year old commercial fishermen, is facing 2 years probation, 80 hours of community service and a $2,000 fine for killing an endangered smalltooth sawfish. A judge determined this sentence on December 19, 2019, after a joint investigation by NOAA Fisheries and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed Ponce used a power saw to cut the rostrum (saw or bill) off of the live fish before discarding its body back into the ocean.

The St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office and FWC received a tip reporting the capture and gross mishandling of a large (12-14 foot) smalltooth sawfish off the coast of Ponte Vedra, Florida, on July 18, 2018. The sawfish was incidentally caught in one of Ponce’s commercial shrimp trawl nets earlier that day.

Upon retrieval of the net Ponce, captain of the Triton II, first attempted to use a hacksaw on the rostrum, but witnesses report he tossed that saw into the ocean when it didn’t work. Ponce then used a power saw to cut the rostrum off the live animal. Another fisherman in a vessel adjacent to the trawler witnessed the incident and reported it to FWC’s Report Sawfish for Science Hotline.  

This hotline is typically used to document sightings and incidental captures by recreational anglers of sawfish for the purpose of monitoring the population. The report was passed on to NOAA, which oversees the conservation of species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

NOAA and FWC opened an investigation into the alleged violation. FWC sent an officer offshore to the location of the Triton II on the day of the report. DNA evidence connecting Ponce to the crime was gathered in the course of the investigation.

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on an Application for an Amendment to an Exempted Fishing Permit to Test Traps Targeting Lionfish in South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Federal Waters

August 16, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments on an application for an amendment to an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).  NOAA Fisheries provided FWC with an EFP in November 2018 for certain areas in the South Atlantic.  FWC is requesting to amend their EFP to add additional sampling areas (including portions of the Gulf of Mexico [Gulf]), additional fishing vessels, additional number of traps, remove the requirement for research traps to have current certificates, and remove the approval for fishermen to sell any species caught from the research specific trap except lionfish.  The updated proposal is summarized below.  The applicant is testing various modifications to wire spiny lobster traps to harvest lionfish.  This study intends to examine the effectiveness and performance of modified trap designs for capturing lionfish, with the goal of identifying the best modifications to maximize lionfish catch and reduce bycatch of other species.  The activities would also derive biological life history information to improve lionfish control.

AMENDED PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

  • Increase the sampling area from Alligator and Looe Key in the South Atlantic to all Federal waters of the South Atlantic off Monroe County, Florida, and portions of the Gulf.  In the Gulf, sampling with traps would occur in depths from 150-300 feet (46-91 meters) southwest of a line defined by 25°21’ N. lat., 84°00’ W. long at the northwest corner and by 24°28’ N. lat., 83°00’ W. long., at the southeast corner (see map below).
  • Increase the sampling period from two times per month to two to four times per month over the course of the calendar year, including during the spiny lobster closed season.
  • The maximum number of traps that would be allowed to be deployed at any given time would increase from 100 to 300 (200 in the South Atlantic and 100 in the Gulf).
  • Maximum soak times would increase from 21 to 28 days per deployment.
  • Increase maximum number of sampling trips from 40 to 160 per year.
  • Increase number of federally permitted commercial fishing vessel participating in the study from two to eight.
  • Remove the requirement that traps would be required to have a current endorsement, stamp, or certification; however, FWC would mark each of the research traps.
  • Contracted commercial fishermen would no longer be permitted to sell any catch from the research traps except for harvested lionfish not needed for research purposes.
  • Representative sub-samples of any fish species would be collected by FWC for species identification verification in the laboratory as needed.

Read the full release here

FLORIDA: Lionfish are still a problem, and FWC will give you a reward to remove them

May 17, 2019 — Lurking below off of Florida’s coast is the lionfish, a species that is both appetizing and intrusive, and wildlife officials want to remove as many of them as possible.

The lionfish is not native to the Sunshine State and are categorized as an invasion species that negatively impacts Florida’s native species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is encouraging divers, anglers and commercial harvesters to help remove them from Florida’s waters.

Starting Saturday, May 18, FWC will reward those who catch lionfish with harvesting gear or cash prizes. The Lionfish Challenge ends on September 2. Those who submit 25 lionfish or 25 pounds of lionfish can qualify for prizes.

Read the full story at Fox 13

Recovery of Florida waters could take decades

October 31, 2018 — MARATHON, Fl. — The Florida Keys marine environment likely will need decades to recover from Hurricane Irma, scientists told marine advisers Oct. 16.

“Sobering,” said Bruce Popham, chairman of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, about post-hurricane survey reports on mangroves, sponges and water quality.

Mangrove forests that lay in the Lower Keys path of Irma in September 2017 endured “extensive canopy damage from high winds,” typically losing more than half their canopy cover, Kara Radabaugh of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a briefing to the Sanctuary Advisory Council, meeting in Marathon.

Mangroves that once had 85 to 100 percent canopy cover were left with about 40 percent cover, she said, noting that larger trees took the most severe hits.

“Canopy cover recovered from 40 percent to 60 percent within two to four months,” Radabaugh said, “but recovery plateaued.”

Read the full story at Keys News

 

Florida: Red tide creeps up to Melbourne Beach, Indialantic

October 17, 2018 — INDIALANTIC, Fla. — While test results to prove red tide are pending, the itchy throats and rancid fish carcasses on the beach this week have some already convinced, and fearing a repeat of the toxic tides that thoroughly flogged the Space Coast 16 years ago.

For tourists, another red tide now would be lousy timing. For fish, too.

“Right now we’ve got a big mullet run on the beach, so there are a lot of migratory fish following the mullet runs,” said Jon Shenker, associate professor of marine biology at the Florida Institute of Technology. “I have no idea how bad this is.”

Beachgoers and beachside residents have complained in recent days of coughing and irritated throats after being by the ocean. Dead fish reported in Indialantic and Melbourne Beach on Tuesday included bluefish, Spanish mackerel, mullet and other fish. A dead fish dotted the shoreline every 10 feet or so at Paradise Beach Park.

Brevard County is helping Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission gather water samples to test for the red tide organism, Karenia brevis. The algae releases a neurotoxin that can cause asthma-like symptoms. If ingested, it can cause digestive problems. Brevard County Natural Resources has coordinated with FWC for sampling beginning Tuesday and hopes to know the results on Wednesday.

“In the meantime, we have been monitoring conditions and have reached out to various agencies, such as Keep Brevard Beautiful, Tourism and Development, the city of Cocoa Beach, to plan for a coordinated response if and when we have reported fish kills,” Brevard County spokesman Don Walker said via email.

Read the full story at Florida Today