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In fisheries management, setting the acceptable biological catch (ABC) is vital to ensure sustainable harvest without overexploiting fish stocks. The ABC determines how much fish can be harvested each year, and is estimated using a stock assessment model that brings together multiple data sources to estimate fish abundance and productivity.  However, in the Gulf of [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_4501" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4501" style="width: 540px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="wp-image-4501 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Photo by scanning electron microscope of Karenia brevis aka red tide. Courtesy of FWC" width="540" height="394" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/K.-brevis-aka-red-tide-FWC-photo.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4501" class="wp-caption-text">Photo taken from a scanning electron microscope of Karenia brevis aka red tide. Photo By: FWC. * Banner photo: A red tide killed snook washed ashore in Southwest Florida. Photo By: Chris O&#8217;Meara AP.</figcaption></figure>
In fisheries management, setting the acceptable biological catch (ABC) is vital to ensure sustainable harvest without overexploiting fish stocks. The ABC determines how much fish can be harvested each year, and is estimated using a stock assessment model that brings together multiple data sources to estimate fish abundance and productivity.  However, in the Gulf of Mexico, red tides introduce a lot of uncertainty into this process. Ongoing red tide blooms can leave managers guessing about their impacts on fish stocks when trying to set the ABC. This uncertainty about red tide impacts can lead to lower catch levels for commercial and recreational fishers, resulting in a lower ABC and less opportunities to bring fish home. To learn more about the ins and outs of  fisheries management in Florida, check out the third education module in the FREE <a href="https://ifas-seagrant.catalog.instructure.com/?filters%5B%5D=free">Florida Friendly Angler</a> online program!
<figure id="attachment_4493" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4493" style="width: 354px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-4493 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="354" height="186" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/The-OFL-ABC-ACL-ACT-framework.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4493" class="wp-caption-text">Framework of harvest limits used in fisheries management</figcaption></figure>
Red tides affect fish populations and ecosystems in several ways.  First, the brevetoxin released by red tide affects the central nervous system of fish and can result in large fish kills. Moreover, there are multiple sublethal and indirect effects of red tide such as low oxygen, impacts to benthic habitat, movement, and food web dynamics. Red tide could possibly alter the amount of bait/forage available for our prized game fish to eat and negatively impact the habitat where they live. In other words, a gag grouper that is exposed to red tide or poor water quality will have less food to eat, slower growth, and be less likely to survive, reproduce, and maybe one day be caught.  Combined with the fact that red tide doesn’t occur in the same place every time, with the same severity or duration makes estimating red tide impacts on reef fish species tough!
<figure id="attachment_4497" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4497" style="width: 407px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-4497 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="407" height="305" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/Sheepshead1.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4497" class="wp-caption-text">A sheepshead washed ashore from a red tide bloom in Southwest Florida. Photo By: Bryan Fluech.</figcaption></figure>
To tackle this difficult task of estimating red tide impacts on fish stocks and helping make better informed management decisions, comes a new project that aims to a estimate and incorporating red tide mortality into the ABC determination for Gulf of Mexico (GoM) reef fishes. The “<a href="https://restoreactscienceprogram.noaa.gov/projects/red-tide-and-reef-fish-modeling">Operationalizing the West Florida Shelf ecosystem model and application to red tides, stock assessment, and catch advice for Gulf of Mexico reef fish</a>” project was funded by the NOAA Restore Science Program.  The project team is developing satellite products to map red tides that will inform an ecosystem model designed to account for factors like the severity and duration of red tide blooms, their lethal and sublethal impact on fish and other marine fauna, and ecosystem dynamics.
<figure id="attachment_4499" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4499" style="width: 583px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4499 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="583" height="232" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/Fig-2.-K.-brevis-bloom-frequency-maps-from-integration-of-water-sample-data-and-MODIS-satellite-observations.-Figure-adapted-from-Hu-et-al.-2022.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4499" class="wp-caption-text">Bloom frequency maps from integration of water sample data and MODIS satellite observations. Figure adapted from Hu et al. (2022).</figcaption></figure>
In previous work, the ecosystem model was used to inform the ABC for gag grouper, resulting in a longer fishing season because the impacts on ongoing blooms were estimated to be lower than anticipated.  The project team will refine the model&#8217;s inputs and extend its application to additional GoM reef fishes over the next five years. Furthermore, it will develop improved satellite-derived red tide maps and update biogeochemical models to estimate nutrient and oxygen dynamics. These model improvements will enable more precise estimation of red tide mortality rates on various reef fish species undergoing stock assessments. The project outcomes will be presented at workshops and incorporated into stock assessments, ensuring that the ABC reflects current red tide conditions. By operationalizing this modeling framework, fisheries managers can conduct routine red tide assessments, enhancing the sustainability of Gulf fisheries!
<h2></h2>
<h2>Where you can help!</h2>
<h3>Are you an angler, boater or beach goer living on the West Coast of Florida and wish to help researchers know more about red tide?</h3>
<h3><a href="https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0">Then please consider taking this brief survey anytime you head out on the water and experience red tide.</a></h3>
The survey may be accessed via the hyperlink above or by copy and pasting this link into your browser: <a href="https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0">https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0 </a>
Information researchers are interested in includes: where did you encounter red tide? Did you see any dead/dying marine life? If so which species? Did your plans change due to encountering red tide? These and a few more questions can improve the models and help managers a TON by helping us determine how fisheries are affected by red tides!
<figure id="attachment_4509" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4509" style="width: 630px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4509 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="630" height="294" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/Red-Tide-Survey-Screen-Grab.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4509" class="wp-caption-text">An example of a question asked on the red tide survey to better understand where fish are dying, what species and how your trip may have been affected. Click the links above to access the survey to help fisheries science!</figcaption></figure>
Have a question about red tide and fisheries management you would like answered? <a href="https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1RZnQdqIrIeOgXY">Submit your question via this link here and check back to this blog periodically where selected questions and answers will be posted!</a>
<figure id="attachment_4505" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4505" style="width: 452px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4505 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="452" height="338" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/Photo-Kate-Spinner-Red-tide-Sarasota-Herald-Tribune-1.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4505" class="wp-caption-text">A typical sight during a red tide bloom with both forage and game fish washed ashore. Help us determine which fish dying, where and when by responding to the reporting survey above! Photo By: Kate Spinner Sarasota Herald-Tribune.</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Resources:</h2>
<ul>
<li>Red Tide Updates:
<ul>
<li>There are plenty(!) of resources and educational materials created about red tide! Check the links below to find information on red tide monitoring, forecasts and beach conditions that you may want to add to your red tide tackle box if and when a bloom occurs.  <a href="https://myfwc.com/research/about/connect/subscribe/">The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) has a service where you can subscribe to to receive weekly email and/or text notifications on the detection and current status of red tide throughout the state.  </a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://member.everbridge.net/453003085614923/login"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-4559 alignright" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/Naples-Red-tide-status.jpg" alt="" width="378" height="184" /></a>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none">
<ul>
<li>Collier County also has an automated notification system regarding red tide presence/status at county specific locations. <a href="https://member.everbridge.net/453003085614923/login">To sign up for theses updates check out this link</a><a href="https://member.everbridge.net/453003085614923/login">.</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/causes/">Common Causes of Fish Kills in Florida</a>&#8211; Dead fish doesn’t always mean red tide, low dissolved oxygen, blue green algae, and extreme weather events can result in a fish kill. Check the link to learn more!</li>
<li>Monitoring: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/?redirect=redtidestatus">FWC Link to current red tide status throughout the state of Florida</a></li>
<li><a href="https://visitbeaches.org/beach/49/report/41723">Mote Marine Laboratory beach condition reporting system for Florida</a>. Information regarding red tide presence with plenty of info on tidal and environmental conditions across many beaches within our state. </li>
<li><a href="http://ocgweb.marine.usf.edu/hab_tracking/HAB_trajectories.html">USF Ocean Circulation Lab Red Tide Prediction and Tracking</a></li>
<li><a href="https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-mexico/">National Centers For Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) harmful algae bloom forecasts for Florida and Texas</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Reporting:
<ul>
<li>Live on the west coast of Florida and would like to help researchers record observations during a red tide? <a href="https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0">Please consider taking this brief survey when you encounter a bloom near you.</a></li>
<li>FWC Fish Kill Hotline 800-636-0511 </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Red Tide Fact Sheets:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/media/12422/karenia-brevis-factsheet.pdf">Karenia brevis (red tide) fact sheet</a></li>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/media/16370/2013-ecphab-brochure_red-tides-on-the-west-florida-shelf.pdf">Red Tides on the West Florida Shelf</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Red Tide FAQs:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/faq/">FWC red tide frequently asked questions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-mexico/faqs/">National Centers For Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Gulf of Mexico harmful algal bloom frequently asked questions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mote.org/news/florida-red-tide">Mote Marine red tide frequently asked questions</a></li>
<li>Blog: <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco/2018/08/14/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-2018-red-tide-bloom/">Frequently Asked Questions about the 2018 Red Tide Bloom</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Red Tide Seafood Safety/Fishing: 
<ul>
<li>Blog: <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2023/03/29/when-red-tide-hits-is-your-seafood-safe-a-uf-expert-answers-questions/">When red tide hits, is your seafood safe? A UF expert answers questions</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Red Tide General Info: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/media/21885/bloom-historic-database.pdf">Historic frequency of red tide in Florida by year and month in Florida, FWC</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Videos: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1er085e7M54">Red Tide in Florida FWC Infographic Video</a> (4:32)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VRyW2C3yhg">Red Tide Facts and Myths Collier County Video</a> (26:32)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26l5I50KbL4">Red Tide and Seafood Safety FWC Infographic Video</a> (4:19)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Peer Reviewed Papers:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20411030/">Literature Review of Florida Red Tide: Implications for Human Health Effects</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v378/p171-186/">Effects of Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms on nearshore fish communities in southwest Florida</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304380018304101?casa_token=CWsj_EO99pAAAAAA:0gpg-eCsFDqwSa6jxHokVVG0Yp6_gRJF8S93ClFyG_y2rARq-fZWlTPP4dc9Cjd5pj_HKU62TA">Effects of Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms on fish community structure on the West Florida Shelf</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-29327-z">Evaluating red tide effects on the West Florida Shelf using a spatiotemporal ecosystem modeling framework</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1568988308001571?casa_token=zKOrbpFokv8AAAAA:dD0iAZWpEDZ1oWsNR-2S_thvqsdw-kd9-go_8ptY3scuU70LkHUuir4tK-ZqllknBQN2CixMKg">Karenia brevis red tides, brevetoxins in the food web, and impacts on natural resources: Decadal advancements</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Blue-Green Algae aka Cyanobacteria and other HABs:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/manateeco/2020/07/14/resources-for-understanding-blue-green-algae-cyanobacteria-blooms/">Resources for understanding blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>General resources: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://water.ifas.ufl.edu/harmful-algal-blooms/faq/">University of Florida harmful algae bloom website.</a> Information of causes, effects, solutions and FAQs of HABs</li>
<li><a href="https://www.protectingfloridatogether.gov/education-center">Protecting Florida Together</a>; website with information regarding red tide/blue green algae task force, habitat restoration etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;">				<iframe loading="lazy" title="Swimming Karenia brevis 10&#039;" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" src="https://embedr.flickr.com/photos/44940561414" width="500" height="373" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Karenia brevis aka &#8220;red tide&#8221; cells swimming! These microscopic organisms belong to the dinoflagellate phylum of algae which have appendages that allow them to move around in the water column. The word dinoflagellate is derived from the Greek dînos meaning  &#8220;whirling&#8221; and Latin flagellum meaning &#8220;whip.&#8221; K. brevis&#8217;s unique motion helps researchers identify red tide cells from other phytoplankton and algae in a water sample.

Photo taken from a scanning electron microscope of Karenia brevis aka red tide. Photo By: FWC. * Banner photo: A red tide killed snook washed ashore in Southwest Florida. Photo By: Chris O’Meara AP.
In fisheries management, setting the acceptable biological catch (ABC) is vital to ensure sustainable harvest without overexploiting fish stocks. The ABC determines how much fish can be harvested each year, and is estimated using a stock assessment model that brings together multiple data sources to estimate fish abundance and productivity.  However, in the Gulf of Mexico, red tides introduce a lot of uncertainty into this process. Ongoing red tide blooms can leave managers guessing about their impacts on fish stocks when trying to set the ABC. This uncertainty about red tide impacts can lead to lower catch levels for commercial and recreational fishers, resulting in a lower ABC and less opportunities to bring fish home. To learn more about the ins and outs of  fisheries management in Florida, check out the third education module in the FREE Florida Friendly Angler online program!
Framework of harvest limits used in fisheries management
Red tides affect fish populations and ecosystems in several ways.  First, the brevetoxin released by red tide affects the central nervous system of fish and can result in large fish kills. Moreover, there are multiple sublethal and indirect effects of red tide such as low oxygen, impacts to benthic habitat, movement, and food web dynamics. Red tide could possibly alter the amount of bait/forage available for our prized game fish to eat and negatively impact the habitat where they live. In other words, a gag grouper that is exposed to red tide or poor water quality will have less food to eat, slower growth, and be less likely to survive, reproduce, and maybe one day be caught.  Combined with the fact that red tide doesn’t occur in the same place every time, with the same severity or duration makes estimating red tide impacts on reef fish species tough!
A sheepshead washed ashore from a red tide bloom in Southwest Florida. Photo By: Bryan Fluech.
To tackle this difficult task of estimating red tide impacts on fish stocks and helping make better informed management decisions, comes a new project that aims to a estimate and incorporating red tide mortality into the ABC determination for Gulf of Mexico (GoM) reef fishes. The “Operationalizing the West Florida Shelf ecosystem model and application to red tides, stock assessment, and catch advice for Gulf of Mexico reef fish” project was funded by the NOAA Restore Science Program.  The project team is developing satellite products to map red tides that will inform an ecosystem model designed to account for factors like the severity and duration of red tide blooms, their lethal and sublethal impact on fish and other marine fauna, and ecosystem dynamics.
Bloom frequency maps from integration of water sample data and MODIS satellite observations. Figure adapted from Hu et al. (2022).
In previous work, the ecosystem model was used to inform the ABC for gag grouper, resulting in a longer fishing season because the impacts on ongoing blooms were estimated to be lower than anticipated.  The project team will refine the model’s inputs and extend its application to additional GoM reef fishes over the next five years. Furthermore, it will develop improved satellite-derived red tide maps and update biogeochemical models to estimate nutrient and oxygen dynamics. These model improvements will enable more precise estimation of red tide mortality rates on various reef fish species undergoing stock assessments. The project outcomes will be presented at workshops and incorporated into stock assessments, ensuring that the ABC reflects current red tide conditions. By operationalizing this modeling framework, fisheries managers can conduct routine red tide assessments, enhancing the sustainability of Gulf fisheries!

Where you can help!
Are you an angler, boater or beach goer living on the West Coast of Florida and wish to help researchers know more about red tide?
Then please consider taking this brief survey anytime you head out on the water and experience red tide.
The survey may be accessed via the hyperlink above or by copy and pasting this link into your browser: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0 
Information researchers are interested in includes: where did you encounter red tide? Did you see any dead/dying marine life? If so which species? Did your plans change due to encountering red tide? These and a few more questions can improve the models and help managers a TON by helping us determine how fisheries are affected by red tides!
An example of a question asked on the red tide survey to better understand where fish are dying, what species and how your trip may have been affected. Click the links above to access the survey to help fisheries science!
Have a question about red tide and fisheries management you would like answered? Submit your question via this link here and check back to this blog periodically where selected questions and answers will be posted!
A typical sight during a red tide bloom with both forage and game fish washed ashore. Help us determine which fish dying, where and when by responding to the reporting survey above! Photo By: Kate Spinner Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Resources:
Red Tide Updates:

There are plenty(!) of resources and educational materials created about red tide! Check the links below to find information on red tide monitoring, forecasts and beach conditions that you may want to add to your red tide tackle box if and when a bloom occurs.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) has a service where you can subscribe to to receive weekly email and/or text notifications on the detection and current status of red tide throughout the state.  

Collier County also has an automated notification system regarding red tide presence/status at county specific locations. To sign up for theses updates check out this link.
 
Common Causes of Fish Kills in Florida– Dead fish doesn’t always mean red tide, low dissolved oxygen, blue green algae, and extreme weather events can result in a fish kill. Check the link to learn more!
Monitoring: 

FWC Link to current red tide status throughout the state of Florida
Mote Marine Laboratory beach condition reporting system for Florida. Information regarding red tide presence with plenty of info on tidal and environmental conditions across many beaches within our state. 
USF Ocean Circulation Lab Red Tide Prediction and Tracking
National Centers For Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) harmful algae bloom forecasts for Florida and Texas
Reporting:

Live on the west coast of Florida and would like to help researchers record observations during a red tide? Please consider taking this brief survey when you encounter a bloom near you.
FWC Fish Kill Hotline 800-636-0511 
Red Tide Fact Sheets:

Karenia brevis (red tide) fact sheet
Red Tides on the West Florida Shelf
Red Tide FAQs:

FWC red tide frequently asked questions
National Centers For Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Gulf of Mexico harmful algal bloom frequently asked questions
Mote Marine red tide frequently asked questions
Blog: Frequently Asked Questions about the 2018 Red Tide Bloom
Red Tide Seafood Safety/Fishing: 

Blog: When red tide hits, is your seafood safe? A UF expert answers questions
Red Tide General Info: 

Historic frequency of red tide in Florida by year and month in Florida, FWC
Videos: 

Red Tide in Florida FWC Infographic Video (4:32)
Red Tide Facts and Myths Collier County Video (26:32)
Red Tide and Seafood Safety FWC Infographic Video (4:19)
Peer Reviewed Papers:

Literature Review of Florida Red Tide: Implications for Human Health Effects
Effects of Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms on nearshore fish communities in southwest Florida
Effects of Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms on fish community structure on the West Florida Shelf
Evaluating red tide effects on the West Florida Shelf using a spatiotemporal ecosystem modeling framework
Karenia brevis red tides, brevetoxins in the food web, and impacts on natural resources: Decadal advancements
Blue-Green Algae aka Cyanobacteria and other HABs:

Resources for understanding blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms
General resources: 

University of Florida harmful algae bloom website. Information of causes, effects, solutions and FAQs of HABs
Protecting Florida Together; website with information regarding red tide/blue green algae task force, habitat restoration etc.
				
Karenia brevis aka “red tide” cells swimming! These microscopic organisms belong to the dinoflagellate phylum of algae which have appendages that allow them to move around in the water column. The word dinoflagellate is derived from the Greek dînos meaning  “whirling” and Latin flagellum meaning “whip.” K. brevis’s unique motion helps researchers identify red tide cells from other phytoplankton and algae in a water sample.

In fisheries management, setting the acceptable biological catch (ABC) is vital to ensure sustainable harvest without overexploiting fish stocks. The ABC determines how much fish can be harvested each year, and is estimated using a stock assessment model that brings together multiple data sources to estimate fish abundance and productivity.  However, in the Gulf of […]

Red Tide, Fisheries Modeling and Citizen Science: Casting a Line to Anglers and Gulf of Mexico Stakeholders for Better Data!

On a recent overcast day, University of Florida experts dove into the Gulf, hoping to increase sponge abundance in an area off Hernando Beach. It’s not a deep dive – about 10 feet. But the hard bottom is key: It’s where sponges live and help other marine organisms – including snapper and stone crabs &#8212; [&#8230;]

On a recent overcast day, University of Florida experts dove into the Gulf, hoping to increase sponge abundance in an area off Hernando Beach.
It’s not a deep dive – about 10 feet. But the hard bottom is key: It’s where sponges live and help other marine organisms – including snapper and stone crabs &#8212; survive and hopefully, thrive.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Soaking Up The Benefits: Tarpon Springs Sponge Business Links its Success to Florida Sea Grant" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RtB-qTXnjZI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
From the bottom of the Gulf, researchers take sponges from one area, cut them into many pieces, zip-tie them to bricks and place them on the bottom to heal and grow in other areas, where sponges are scarce. They initially hope to improve sponge habitats in a 2-square-mile area.
<figure id="attachment_43543" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-43543" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-43543 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="200" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/03/SpongeRestoration016-300x200.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-43543" class="wp-caption-text">Don Behringer&#8217;s sponge restoration research off Hernando Beach on Monday, March 18th, 2024. By Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS photography.</figcaption></figure>
Their goal is to identify appropriate sites and sponge species that are environmentally and commercially valuable to restore or enhance the sponge communities offshore from the <a href="https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/loc.afc.afc-legacies.200002867/default.html">Tarpon Springs region, which has a rich history with sponges</a>.
Assuming their transplanted sponges multiply, UF/IFAS experts want to eventually spread their research to an area off the Gulf from Pinellas County to Levy County.
Anglers and sponge fishermen rely on the sponges to make money. The economic and ecological benefits of sponges compel UF/IFAS experts to take the sponge plunge.
Through grants from the <a href="https://www.nfwf.org/">National Fish and Wildlife Foundation</a> and <a href="https://www.flseagrant.org/">Florida Sea Grant</a>, they’ve gone into the water several times in the past year, most recently, on March 18.
That day, they looked at survival of the sponges they had cut and moved, and they saw a high survival rate – about 75% &#8212; which bodes well for their small project.
“One of the most important roles they can play is improving water clarity,” said <a href="https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty/behringer-donald/">Don Behringer</a>, a UF/IFAS professor of marine and disease ecology and Florida Sea Grant-affiliate faculty. “Through their ability to filter water, they take phytoplankton and other particles out of the water, some of which can harm other marine life. Sponges also form habitat and provide shelter for many species of fish, crabs and other marine life that live in hard bottom.”
Thus far, they’ve found five types of sponges as candidate species to grow – three are valuable ecologically, while the other two are important for ecological and commercial purposes, said Behringer, who&#8217;s also affiliated with the UF <a href="https://epi.ufl.edu/">Emerging Pathogens Institute</a>.
UF/IFAS scientists and <a href="https://www.flseagrant.org/fsg-directory/brittany-hall-scharf/">Brittany Hall-Scharf</a>, a UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea agent in Hernando County, initially placed about 200 individuals of each species, or about 1,000 total on the floor of the Gulf.
“If we scaled up the project, we would hope more sponges would increase filtration,” Behringer said. “So, you could potentially improve water quality perhaps enhance fisheries for species such as snapper, grouper and stone crabs that use sponge-dominated hard bottom. But you’d have to do more research. You can’t make those determinations at this small, experimental scale.”
The commercial sponge-fishing industry in the Tarpon Springs area supports a robust community of fishers with a strong Greek heritage linked to sponge fishing. Prior research by Behringer and colleagues suggests that commercial sponge fishing can be sustainable if done correctly.
“Sponge fishers are remarkable at identifying and harvesting only commercially valuable sponges,” he said. Additionally, if sponge fishers leave a portion of the harvested sponge attached to the bottom, it will often grow back.
Facts like those make the pilot project worthwhile to Behringer and his team.
“The key to scaling up any habitat restoration or enhancement effort is making sure the foundational research is done prior to ensure success to the greatest degree possible,” he said. “With support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Florida Sea Grant, we have taken the first step in that direction.”
###
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>
ABOUT FLORIDA SEA GRANT 
Hosted at the University of Florida (UF), the Florida Sea Grant College Program supports research, education and Extension to enhance coastal resources and economic opportunities through a partnership with the <a href="http://secure-web.cisco.com/1glFuLTDguLB3OycHxaMvonaHtWuGh7yVe3ZyaZ2gX9QHbKhFr40QeAm3EGqp6Q6JAoq7MMbkDQSlF4vjPuHcViScYTLzYtWQEMrvPwt8hUU24GEAUaRQI08DgUCeKBG6aUKbk9ETP7jINHLPdkU9_Zv-2SasEwe6QYe_9OAXphCmvJYzRVI6aXLjey2AMQNizSlFou-40BL-hAivomVraXN88Uw13JkLX65iGPvlHyhui3dZRlEjuA4ACDu1Va5gtK_WehJzJUfUdIKovrFVCoTeIWa_x3fS7LXU7wZDM7gHSSGgCHgul19jZ74TxC75znWTGSomVbXTaQY0nMZhdw/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.noaa.gov%2F">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a>, the State University System of Florida, and UF/IFAS Extension in counties statewide.
<a href="https://secure-web.cisco.com/1pJjF9XW-pIUZgJTQ8Sk_BUBPO1QPiMNyWPq_YjjZjXqA17auPNrdBpfyGROTTeUZNxVGi6518LzNMkUl_dgB_Kva6SWKDqZ0LGpF7ST1d5qqdkjn2qCIT4SdVo76VcMU1w0uIHmQPZA6SRPZ39dXLzrybKwbh4vtEyFMStSXkBZamt3JzOpVBrCr4mDGfYEO23TPJW4myB1WwVhqOx1U4sO0U293gANrSiikq9xqRzD6ZClRdeheaTTvr2sn3uGzhxn_1dWlHnI9LS9yec-lPqsWxf_9-rVjIr3mttaE5IDDHg2cD1JjEJmkyAlkEz1cRy0S4GYyDlg5141Q0MSfhA/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flseagrant.org%2F">flseagrant.org</a>  |  <a href="https://secure-web.cisco.com/1GdEtnjaoMfEoZOcmnRGUt9PuDxUnJkf0gnRPnOEEjNqW84NK03lGlZwUP0ePEDvrHVZ6bUbNEBppjhAd1WXAY0KbTMXIPm7PnWbMtbr8Gp8TgY9-oeWt4IC2oIDkjvTNwh47MAgrlcYlkS-cSLC7kKL2Zbf4sTfN72xo7IYSz1XencQdmBLR5wkvBzwxeUNvM5l1A1FwHe8_gHNnl9p0w-0hPNclAABm3euHb304OPWYI7zBRE5QB_JiVCfxiWe8KYGd9AHZ4nHG28X4P6H1pv1kL5Coti2l_hvDPDZ3qJyLx3qBF1bNLNvNbgzGPXequk1yLyjIIXpvt8PcZ_ByjA/https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FFloridaSeaGrant">@FloridaSeaGrant</a>
&nbsp;

On a recent overcast day, University of Florida experts dove into the Gulf, hoping to increase sponge abundance in an area off Hernando Beach.
It’s not a deep dive – about 10 feet. But the hard bottom is key: It’s where sponges live and help other marine organisms – including snapper and stone crabs — survive and hopefully, thrive.

From the bottom of the Gulf, researchers take sponges from one area, cut them into many pieces, zip-tie them to bricks and place them on the bottom to heal and grow in other areas, where sponges are scarce. They initially hope to improve sponge habitats in a 2-square-mile area.
Don Behringer’s sponge restoration research off Hernando Beach on Monday, March 18th, 2024. By Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS photography.
Their goal is to identify appropriate sites and sponge species that are environmentally and commercially valuable to restore or enhance the sponge communities offshore from the Tarpon Springs region, which has a rich history with sponges.
Assuming their transplanted sponges multiply, UF/IFAS experts want to eventually spread their research to an area off the Gulf from Pinellas County to Levy County.
Anglers and sponge fishermen rely on the sponges to make money. The economic and ecological benefits of sponges compel UF/IFAS experts to take the sponge plunge.
Through grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Florida Sea Grant, they’ve gone into the water several times in the past year, most recently, on March 18.
That day, they looked at survival of the sponges they had cut and moved, and they saw a high survival rate – about 75% — which bodes well for their small project.
“One of the most important roles they can play is improving water clarity,” said Don Behringer, a UF/IFAS professor of marine and disease ecology and Florida Sea Grant-affiliate faculty. “Through their ability to filter water, they take phytoplankton and other particles out of the water, some of which can harm other marine life. Sponges also form habitat and provide shelter for many species of fish, crabs and other marine life that live in hard bottom.”
Thus far, they’ve found five types of sponges as candidate species to grow – three are valuable ecologically, while the other two are important for ecological and commercial purposes, said Behringer, who’s also affiliated with the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute.
UF/IFAS scientists and Brittany Hall-Scharf, a UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea agent in Hernando County, initially placed about 200 individuals of each species, or about 1,000 total on the floor of the Gulf.
“If we scaled up the project, we would hope more sponges would increase filtration,” Behringer said. “So, you could potentially improve water quality perhaps enhance fisheries for species such as snapper, grouper and stone crabs that use sponge-dominated hard bottom. But you’d have to do more research. You can’t make those determinations at this small, experimental scale.”
The commercial sponge-fishing industry in the Tarpon Springs area supports a robust community of fishers with a strong Greek heritage linked to sponge fishing. Prior research by Behringer and colleagues suggests that commercial sponge fishing can be sustainable if done correctly.
“Sponge fishers are remarkable at identifying and harvesting only commercially valuable sponges,” he said. Additionally, if sponge fishers leave a portion of the harvested sponge attached to the bottom, it will often grow back.
Facts like those make the pilot project worthwhile to Behringer and his team.
“The key to scaling up any habitat restoration or enhancement effort is making sure the foundational research is done prior to ensure success to the greatest degree possible,” he said. “With support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Florida Sea Grant, we have taken the first step in that direction.”
###
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS
ABOUT FLORIDA SEA GRANT
Hosted at the University of Florida (UF), the Florida Sea Grant College Program supports research, education and Extension to enhance coastal resources and economic opportunities through a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the State University System of Florida, and UF/IFAS Extension in counties statewide.
flseagrant.org  |  @FloridaSeaGrant

On a recent overcast day, University of Florida experts dove into the Gulf, hoping to increase sponge abundance in an area off Hernando Beach. It’s not a deep dive – about 10 feet. But the hard bottom is key: It’s where sponges live and help other marine organisms – including snapper and stone crabs — […]

Taking the sponge plunge to enhance an important species in the Gulf

2023 Central District All Faculty Symposium &#8211; Family and Consumer Sciences L. Hamilton, UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County, Deland, FL, J. Rodriguez, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, J. Anderson, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, H. Ayers, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, J. Gomez, UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL, L. Duncan, UF/IFAS Extension [&#8230;]

<h3>2023 Central District All Faculty Symposium &#8211; Family and Consumer Sciences</h3>
L. Hamilton, UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County, Deland, FL, J. Rodriguez, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, J. Anderson, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, H. Ayers, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, J. Gomez, UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL, L. Duncan, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Bushnell, FL, G. Benitez, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County, Ocala, FL, M. Thomas, UF/IFAS Extension Flagler County, Bunnell, FL, S. Taylor, UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County, Brooksville, FL., W. Lynch, UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County, St. Augustine, FL. 
Situation: Stable housing is a basic human need and is a fundamental component of attaining quality of life indicators such as educational success, good health, and building wealth (<a href="https://pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1257/jep.32.1.31" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Goodman and Mayer</a>, 2018). However, across Central Florida counties, up to 57% of households struggle to obtain or maintain housing due to low wages and high costs of living (United Way, 2020).  These families can benefit from housing and financial education to learn to improve resource management and home care practices that promote safe and stable housing (<a href="https://generations.asaging.org/homeownership-older-adults-stability-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herbert and Molinsky</a>, 2020).   Objectives include improving money management skills, understanding landlord/tenant rights, and responsibilities or the process of purchasing a home, and improving home care and maintenance practices.  Programs also assist residents to meet eligibility requirements for rental, home buyer, and owner-occupied repair funding available through local governments.    
Methods: Central District Extension agents delivered rental, home buyer, and home maintenance programs in nine counties in 2022.  Classes were offered virtually and in-person and ranged from 90 minutes to eight hours.  Rental education was made available virtually at seven community centers. Participants received curricula, money management calendars, and other resources via mail or access to a password protected website.  Results: Ten agents provided 21 rental, 14 home buyer, and 6 home maintenance classes to 1,164 participants in 9 counties.   Across all classes, 97% &#8211; 100% of participants reported learning or improving financial, rental, home purchase, or home care and maintenance skills or practices. In 2022, 357 rental participants avoided eviction and 8% (58) of home buyer participants purchased homes. Participants received $832,351 in rental assistance, $495,000 for down payment assistance, and $170,000 for home repair. Conclusion: UF/IFAS Extension housing education programs promote housing stability and improved quality of life for Central District residents. 
<h3><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/files/2023/04/2023_CDS_L_Hamilton_Volusia_FCSPoster-Update_Poster_reduced.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-8203 aligncenter lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/files/2023/04/2023_CDS_L_Hamilton_Volusia_FCSPoster-Update_Poster_reduced-300x300.png"></a></h3>

2023 Central District All Faculty Symposium – Family and Consumer Sciences
L. Hamilton, UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County, Deland, FL, J. Rodriguez, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, J. Anderson, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, H. Ayers, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, J. Gomez, UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL, L. Duncan, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Bushnell, FL, G. Benitez, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County, Ocala, FL, M. Thomas, UF/IFAS Extension Flagler County, Bunnell, FL, S. Taylor, UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County, Brooksville, FL., W. Lynch, UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County, St. Augustine, FL. 
Situation: Stable housing is a basic human need and is a fundamental component of attaining quality of life indicators such as educational success, good health, and building wealth (Goodman and Mayer, 2018). However, across Central Florida counties, up to 57% of households struggle to obtain or maintain housing due to low wages and high costs of living (United Way, 2020).  These families can benefit from housing and financial education to learn to improve resource management and home care practices that promote safe and stable housing (Herbert and Molinsky, 2020).   Objectives include improving money management skills, understanding landlord/tenant rights, and responsibilities or the process of purchasing a home, and improving home care and maintenance practices.  Programs also assist residents to meet eligibility requirements for rental, home buyer, and owner-occupied repair funding available through local governments.    
Methods: Central District Extension agents delivered rental, home buyer, and home maintenance programs in nine counties in 2022.  Classes were offered virtually and in-person and ranged from 90 minutes to eight hours.  Rental education was made available virtually at seven community centers. Participants received curricula, money management calendars, and other resources via mail or access to a password protected website.  Results: Ten agents provided 21 rental, 14 home buyer, and 6 home maintenance classes to 1,164 participants in 9 counties.   Across all classes, 97% – 100% of participants reported learning or improving financial, rental, home purchase, or home care and maintenance skills or practices. In 2022, 357 rental participants avoided eviction and 8% (58) of home buyer participants purchased homes. Participants received $832,351 in rental assistance, $495,000 for down payment assistance, and $170,000 for home repair. Conclusion: UF/IFAS Extension housing education programs promote housing stability and improved quality of life for Central District residents.

2023 Central District All Faculty Symposium – Family and Consumer Sciences L. Hamilton, UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County, Deland, FL, J. Rodriguez, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, J. Anderson, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, H. Ayers, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, J. Gomez, UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL, L. Duncan, UF/IFAS Extension […]

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