Brittany J. Scharf

0000-0001-8133-4210

How Red Tides Impact Manatees

Brittany Hall-Scharf and Armando Ubeda

An update on Florida’s Artificial Reefs: recent deployments and trends

Edward V. Camp, Lisa Chong, Angela B. Collins, Holly Abeels, Keith Mille, Michael Sipos, Brittany Hall-Scharf, Ana Zangroniz, Scott Jackson, Shelly Krueger, and Victor Blanco

Popular marine habitat enhancements, artificial reefs can benefit sea life and humans. Floridians visit them every year to fish, dive, snorkel, or boat around. The number of artificial reefs is growing around Florida, but their function and impact are difficult to describe because artificial reefs change over time as they become encrusted with fouling organisms or altered by storms and shifting sands. As reefs change, expectations shift, and advances in research and monitoring allow us to learn more about them. This publication provides an update of Florida’s recent artificial reef activities. It focuses on new deployments, designs, and monitoring objectives from 2015 to 2021. It should help management agencies and outreach and education professionals understand recent trends in priorities. Fishing and diving clubs, monitoring programs, local artificial reef planners and coordinators, and other stakeholders can discover and share information learned across counties.

Best Practices for Scalloping: From the Boat to Your Plate

Brittany Hall-Scharf, Sarah Ellis, and Savanna Barry

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Ecotourism and Agritourism

Candidate Species for Florida Aquaculture: American Horseshoe Crab Limulus polyphemus

Lena Donnarumma, Brittany J. Scharf, Jeffrey E. Hill, and Cortney L. Ohs

The American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, is a member of the phylum Arthropoda, subphylum Chelicerata, and class Merostomata. Although there are four horseshoe crab species worldwide, the American horseshoe crab is primarily found in the Atlantic Ocean along the East Coast of North America. The species ranges from Maine to Mexico, but is absent between Texas in the United States and Tabasco in Mexico. They mainly inhabit estuarine areas; however, juveniles and adults can venture into the shallow oceanic environments. Embryo development occurs in the intertidal zone of sandy beaches. Sandy or muddy bottom habitats are necessary for burrowing and benthic feeding. This publication will cover their natural history, aquaculture techniques, common diseases, and their uses and markets.  

Assessment of the Economic Impact Associated with the Recreational Scallop Season in Hernando County, Florida

Brittany Hall-Scharf, Charles Adams, Alan Hodges, and Stephen Geiger

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by Natural resources operations and Invasive Species

WebODM: An Open-Source Alternative to Commercial Image Stitching Software for Uncrewed Aerial Systems

Sahaj Patel, Jesse Chintanadilok, Brittany Hall-Scharf, Yilin Zhuang, Joseph Strickland, and Aditya Singh

This publication aims to help UAS operators become familiar with advanced data processing tools integrated into the WebODM FOSS. The central aim of this publication is to underscore the process and sequence involved in producing data and outcomes by acquainting users with the fundamental features of WebODM. Written by Sahaj Patel, Jesse Chintanadilok, Brittany Hall-Scharf, Yilin Zhuang, Joseph Strickland, and Aditya Singh, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2024.

An Update on Florida’s Artificial Reefs: Recent Research and What It Means for Florida

Edward V. Camp, Lisa Chong, Angela B. Collins, Holly Abeels, Keith Mille, Michael Sipos, Brittany Hall-Scharf, Ana Zangroniz, Scott Jackson, Shelly Krueger, and Victor Blanco

As coastal managers and practitioners continue placing artificial reefs in marine waters, the scientific understanding of the effects and implications of artificial reefs is changing. It is especially important for resource managers and Extension and outreach personnel, as well as the interested public, to keep aware of these changes as they occur, but usually scientific studies are first published in peer-reviewed journals that may be inaccessible. This publication describes some of the most recent artificial reef studies that are likely to be especially relevant to Florida. Each is summarized and its potential relevance to Florida described. This is not a complete record of recent research, but it should help the interested public, managers, educators, and outreach personnel stay informed of recent developments in artificial reef science that should be considered when making decisions about artificial reefs.

Let ‘Em Grow: Scalloping Best Practices

Brittany Hall-Scharf and Victor Blanco

Recreational scalloping is a popular summertime activity that attracts participants from far and wide to Florida's Gulf Coast. Coastal counties that serve as vessel launch points rely on this fishery for economic viability, but the biology of the bay scallop and the environmental stressors this species endures have led to limited populations of bay scallops remaining along Florida's Gulf Coast . Therefore, it is essential to implement best practices for harvesting bay scallops so that future generations can enjoy this marine resource activity. This publication gives recreational scallopers tips on how to sort through scallops in the water so that scallops that are too small are returned immediately to the same spot where they were taken. Improving harvesting techniques can help sustain this valuable fishery.

Healthy Living Lifestyle Habits: Land and Sea

Razieh Farzad, Brittany Scharf, Jim E. Davis, LuAnn Duncan, and Jana Anderson

This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department provides information for the general public about the benefits of incorporating land- and water-based natural resource activities to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Written by Razieh Farzad, Brittany Scharf, Jim E. Davis, LuAnn Duncan, and Jana Anderson.