1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

3. Natural Resources and Environmental Quality

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census This year will be the first year Florida will be participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census (GSEPC). Created by the University of Georgia Extension Services in 2019, the citizen science project has three major goals outlined by its initial creators. To create sustainable pollinator habitat by educating gardeners about [&#8230;]

<h3>The Great Southeast Pollinator Census</h3>
This year will be the first year Florida will be participating in the <a href="https://gsepc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Great Southeast Pollinator Census (GSEPC)</a>. Created by the University of Georgia Extension Services in 2019, the citizen science project has three major goals outlined by its initial creators.
<ol>
<li>To create sustainable pollinator habitat by educating gardeners about using plants that provide nutrition for our pollinators while handling our summer droughts and do not have disease or pest insect pressure.</li>
<li>To increase the entomological literacy of our citizens. As I mentioned to one teacher, we want students to go from “oooo, it’s a bug” to “look at the tarsal claw on that bee!”</li>
<li>To generate useful data about our pollinator populations, so we can begin to spot trends and see how pollinator populations are affected by weather and how honeybees influence native bee populations.</li>
</ol>
Now including tens of thousands of participants from the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, we hope to host it annually at our office, located at Twin Lakes Park. Come join us to learn about pollinators, Florida-Friendly Landscaping&#x2122;, and citizen science. You can make a difference!
<h3><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-31781 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Honey bee on flower" width="221" height="221" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/06/Blog-Graphics-2-300x300.png">Why Contribute?</h3>
Pollinators are precious and powerful. Over 80% of our flowering plants, including many crops, rely on their hard work. Capturing scientific data on pollinator diversity, seasonality, and geographical location are critical in education and conservation efforts. The Great Southeast Pollinator Census provides an opportunity for citizen scientists to contribute this important data from the comfort of their home, neighborhood, or community.
<h3>How to Participate</h3>
<h3><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="alignright wp-image-32777 size-medium lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Woman citizen scientist writing on her clipboard" width="300" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/07/Blog-Graphics-1-1-300x300.png"></h3>
When it comes to collecting data, consistency is key! If you plan to participate in this year’s Great Southeast Pollinator Census, make sure you have the knowledge and tools to do so. You’ll need to be able to identify between pollinator groups (bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, etc.), use the appropriate datasheet, and upload your data to the GSEPC website. We will provide the information and resources you need at our upcoming event.
Watch the video below to learn more about the census process.
<iframe title="How to Count Pollinators for the Pollinator Census" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ncC-mM7ZSNw?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>
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-32779 size-medium lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="August Calendar with August 23" width="300" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/07/Blog-Graphics-2-300x300.png">
<h3>When is the Count?</h3>
Join us for our first annual Great Southeast Pollinator Census at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. The training event will include a short lecture, followed by open time to count pollinators in the gardens at our facility.
The training event will take place on Friday, August 23 from 8:30 to 11:00 am. Individuals can participate on Saturday, August 24 in any location they choose.
Register at <a href="http://tiny.cc/ufsaraext_gsepc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://tiny.cc/ufsaraext_gsepc</a>.
Learn more about the effort at <a href="https://gsepc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://gsepc.org/</a>.

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census
This year will be the first year Florida will be participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census (GSEPC). Created by the University of Georgia Extension Services in 2019, the citizen science project has three major goals outlined by its initial creators.
To create sustainable pollinator habitat by educating gardeners about using plants that provide nutrition for our pollinators while handling our summer droughts and do not have disease or pest insect pressure.
To increase the entomological literacy of our citizens. As I mentioned to one teacher, we want students to go from “oooo, it’s a bug” to “look at the tarsal claw on that bee!”
To generate useful data about our pollinator populations, so we can begin to spot trends and see how pollinator populations are affected by weather and how honeybees influence native bee populations.
Now including tens of thousands of participants from the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, we hope to host it annually at our office, located at Twin Lakes Park. Come join us to learn about pollinators, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, and citizen science. You can make a difference!
Why Contribute?
Pollinators are precious and powerful. Over 80% of our flowering plants, including many crops, rely on their hard work. Capturing scientific data on pollinator diversity, seasonality, and geographical location are critical in education and conservation efforts. The Great Southeast Pollinator Census provides an opportunity for citizen scientists to contribute this important data from the comfort of their home, neighborhood, or community.
How to Participate

When it comes to collecting data, consistency is key! If you plan to participate in this year’s Great Southeast Pollinator Census, make sure you have the knowledge and tools to do so. You’ll need to be able to identify between pollinator groups (bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, etc.), use the appropriate datasheet, and upload your data to the GSEPC website. We will provide the information and resources you need at our upcoming event.
Watch the video below to learn more about the census process.


When is the Count?
Join us for our first annual Great Southeast Pollinator Census at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. The training event will include a short lecture, followed by open time to count pollinators in the gardens at our facility.
The training event will take place on Friday, August 23 from 8:30 to 11:00 am. Individuals can participate on Saturday, August 24 in any location they choose.
Register at http://tiny.cc/ufsaraext_gsepc.
Learn more about the effort at https://gsepc.org/.

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census This year will be the first year Florida will be participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census (GSEPC). Created by the University of Georgia Extension Services in 2019, the citizen science project has three major goals outlined by its initial creators. To create sustainable pollinator habitat by educating gardeners about […]

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census

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" loading="lazy" 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" loading="lazy" 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" loading="lazy" 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!

A well-deserved vacation from instruction and exams doesn’t have to come with the summer slide &#8212; that time when summer learning loss can occur, according to the U.S. Department of Education. There are plenty of ways to engage kids at any age during these lazy summer days, say University of Florida experts. Here are a [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_45515" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45515" style="width: 287px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-45515" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/06/025753-Plant-species-identification-while-at-a-park-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="287" height="431" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45515" class="wp-caption-text">UF/IFAS researchers depend on citizen scientists to help gather data. Meanwhile, nature apps like iNaturalist can engage youth to becoming citizen scientists and much more.</figcaption></figure>
A well-deserved vacation from instruction and exams doesn’t have to come with the summer slide &#8212; that time when summer learning loss can occur, according to the <a href="https://www.ed.gov/content/stopping-summer-slide">U.S. Department of Education</a>.
There are plenty of ways to engage kids at any age during these lazy summer days, say University of Florida experts. Here are a few ideas to keep your youth engaged while fueling their minds.
Activate the citizen scientist young minds anywhere. 
Mobile devices can bring out the scientists at any age. The next time you encounter an unusual bird, plant, tree or reptile &#8212; whether you are on a family vacation or just taking a walk in the park &#8212; encourage the kids to use their mobile devices to check them out on <a href="http://www.inaturalist.org/">iNaturalist</a> and <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu">Ask IFAS</a>.
“You are making important contributions to scientific data researchers need to promote wildlife conservation and much more,” said <a href="https://www.coreytcallaghan.com/">Corey Callaghan</a>, an assistant professor at the <a href="https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/">UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center</a> who leads a research team of global ecologists. “It merges the best of all worlds when you can combine scientific discovery, an app, family time and a little light reading that tells you all about the insects, plants, birds and reptiles they are observing and reporting with Ask IFAS as a resource,” he said.
In their latest Ask IFAS Extension publications, “<a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW518">Magnificent moths: A guide to begin “mothing” and contributing your observations to iNaturalist</a>” and “<a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW517">Herping adventures: A guide to exploring and documenting reptiles and amphibians with iNaturalist</a>” Callaghan and team provide insights on how you can be a part of the conservation work as they call on current and aspiring nature and science fans, people of all ages and education backgrounds and community scientists to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals and fungi using the free mobile app <a href="http://www.inaturalist.org/">iNaturalist</a>.
“By documenting and identifying moths, we gain valuable insights into the biodiversity and health of ecosystems. Individual observations of moths help scientists track moth population trends, identify species at risk and study the impacts of environmental changes on their populations,” he said.
Meanwhile, reptiles are often misunderstood and feared, likely due to their secretive nature and the perceived danger of venomous snakes and poisonous frogs, added <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/experts/bmason1">Brittany Mason</a>, data management analyst for the research group.
“Learning how to observe and document reptiles and amphibians, also known as herps, will open a new-found appreciation for this group of diverse animals and contribute to our understanding of their biodiversity and spatial distribution. This knowledge is critical to developing effective management and conservation practices for this often-overlooked group,” Mason said.
The opportunity is a valuable experience for kids in increasing their observation skills while helping their local and not-so-local scientists.
<figure id="attachment_45517" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45517" style="width: 432px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-45517" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/06/020428-1-Kids-taking-part-in-a-4-H-gardening-club-UFIFAS-photography-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="432" height="288" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45517" class="wp-caption-text">Children at a 4-H gardening activity. UF/IFAS photography</figcaption></figure>
Check out Florida 4-H in your county.
There are plenty of activities to keep youth ages 5 to 18 busy with <a href="https://florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu">Florida 4-H</a>. As the nation’s largest youth development organization of Florida Cooperative Extension &#8212; a part of UF/IFAS &#8212; it reaches both boys and girls through 4-H clubs, special-interest groups and short-term projects.
New to the 4-H options is <a href="https://4-h.org/clover/about/">CLOVER</a>, provided by the National 4-H Council. Filled with interactive activities and content in collaboration with universities throughout the United States, parents and guardians can choose from more than 190 activities that explore STEM, healthy living, citizenship, leadership and agriculture.
“Clover is an amazing free resource for parents and kids that is accessible anywhere through the mobile app and website. It removes barriers to 4-H learning opportunities and hopefully sparks youth interest in science, healthy living, and citizenship,” said <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2024/05/30/counter-the-summer-slide-with-4-h-resources/">Melinda Souers</a>, a 4-H agent at UF/IFAS Extension Orange County who supports STEM, workforce readiness, school enrichment programs and more.
To access <a href="https://4-h.org/clover/about/">CLOVER</a>, families create a free account that gives them access to this resource supported by partnerships with one hundred top-tier universities.
Check out your local UF/IFAS Extension.
With offices in all 67 Florida counties, UF/IFAS Extension is never far away. You can locate your Extension with this <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/">link</a> and check out what’s on tap on their websites. Each UF/IFAS Extension is buzzing with activities and programs throughout the year for everyone to enjoy.
Take St. Lucie County for example. The <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucie/">UF/IFAS Extension</a> office there has partnered with the St. Lucie County Audubon Society and the St. Lucie County Library System for a unique waterfront project. Join the <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/2024/05/06/downtown-fort-pierce-waterfront-birding-bioblitz/">Downtown Fort Pierce Waterfront Birding Bioblitz</a>.
This bioblitz will be conducted continuously throughout 2024. Visitors and residents in the downtown area can take photos of the amazing bird diversity in the Indian River Lagoon, breakwater islands and shoreline and upload their sightings to the birding bioblitz project on iNaturalist.  Photos taken with phones and uploaded to this iNaturalist project will need to have location settings turned on so photos will include geomatic metadata. As part of this project, patrons of the St. Lucie County library system can visit the Kilmer Branch Library and check out a birding backpack to aid in their observations.
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 4-H 
4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university system and Cooperative Extension System. The program provides hands-on educational programs and experiences for youth ages 5 to 18 with the objective of developing youth as individuals, and as responsible and productive citizens. In Florida, 4-H is administered by University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Florida A&amp;M University.
<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fflorida4h.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmeredithbauer%40ufl.edu%7Cad38f020f77947a9739908db9e5a5219%7C0d4da0f84a314d76ace60a62331e1b84%7C0%7C0%7C638277882978339518%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=QkJ2QzpbDHIwr8OocQs8O5qMpaUD%2BKDU%2FZNVi5FQPmA%3D&amp;reserved=0">florida4h.org</a>  |  <a href="mailto:grow4H@ifas.ufl.edu">grow4H@ifas.ufl.edu</a>
&nbsp;

UF/IFAS researchers depend on citizen scientists to help gather data. Meanwhile, nature apps like iNaturalist can engage youth to becoming citizen scientists and much more.
A well-deserved vacation from instruction and exams doesn’t have to come with the summer slide — that time when summer learning loss can occur, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
There are plenty of ways to engage kids at any age during these lazy summer days, say University of Florida experts. Here are a few ideas to keep your youth engaged while fueling their minds.
Activate the citizen scientist young minds anywhere. 
Mobile devices can bring out the scientists at any age. The next time you encounter an unusual bird, plant, tree or reptile — whether you are on a family vacation or just taking a walk in the park — encourage the kids to use their mobile devices to check them out on iNaturalist and Ask IFAS.
“You are making important contributions to scientific data researchers need to promote wildlife conservation and much more,” said Corey Callaghan, an assistant professor at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center who leads a research team of global ecologists. “It merges the best of all worlds when you can combine scientific discovery, an app, family time and a little light reading that tells you all about the insects, plants, birds and reptiles they are observing and reporting with Ask IFAS as a resource,” he said.
In their latest Ask IFAS Extension publications, “Magnificent moths: A guide to begin “mothing” and contributing your observations to iNaturalist” and “Herping adventures: A guide to exploring and documenting reptiles and amphibians with iNaturalist” Callaghan and team provide insights on how you can be a part of the conservation work as they call on current and aspiring nature and science fans, people of all ages and education backgrounds and community scientists to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals and fungi using the free mobile app iNaturalist.
“By documenting and identifying moths, we gain valuable insights into the biodiversity and health of ecosystems. Individual observations of moths help scientists track moth population trends, identify species at risk and study the impacts of environmental changes on their populations,” he said.
Meanwhile, reptiles are often misunderstood and feared, likely due to their secretive nature and the perceived danger of venomous snakes and poisonous frogs, added Brittany Mason, data management analyst for the research group.
“Learning how to observe and document reptiles and amphibians, also known as herps, will open a new-found appreciation for this group of diverse animals and contribute to our understanding of their biodiversity and spatial distribution. This knowledge is critical to developing effective management and conservation practices for this often-overlooked group,” Mason said.
The opportunity is a valuable experience for kids in increasing their observation skills while helping their local and not-so-local scientists.
Children at a 4-H gardening activity. UF/IFAS photography
Check out Florida 4-H in your county.
There are plenty of activities to keep youth ages 5 to 18 busy with Florida 4-H. As the nation’s largest youth development organization of Florida Cooperative Extension — a part of UF/IFAS — it reaches both boys and girls through 4-H clubs, special-interest groups and short-term projects.
New to the 4-H options is CLOVER, provided by the National 4-H Council. Filled with interactive activities and content in collaboration with universities throughout the United States, parents and guardians can choose from more than 190 activities that explore STEM, healthy living, citizenship, leadership and agriculture.
“Clover is an amazing free resource for parents and kids that is accessible anywhere through the mobile app and website. It removes barriers to 4-H learning opportunities and hopefully sparks youth interest in science, healthy living, and citizenship,” said Melinda Souers, a 4-H agent at UF/IFAS Extension Orange County who supports STEM, workforce readiness, school enrichment programs and more.
To access CLOVER, families create a free account that gives them access to this resource supported by partnerships with one hundred top-tier universities.
Check out your local UF/IFAS Extension.
With offices in all 67 Florida counties, UF/IFAS Extension is never far away. You can locate your Extension with this link and check out what’s on tap on their websites. Each UF/IFAS Extension is buzzing with activities and programs throughout the year for everyone to enjoy.
Take St. Lucie County for example. The UF/IFAS Extension office there has partnered with the St. Lucie County Audubon Society and the St. Lucie County Library System for a unique waterfront project. Join the Downtown Fort Pierce Waterfront Birding Bioblitz.
This bioblitz will be conducted continuously throughout 2024. Visitors and residents in the downtown area can take photos of the amazing bird diversity in the Indian River Lagoon, breakwater islands and shoreline and upload their sightings to the birding bioblitz project on iNaturalist.  Photos taken with phones and uploaded to this iNaturalist project will need to have location settings turned on so photos will include geomatic metadata. As part of this project, patrons of the St. Lucie County library system can visit the Kilmer Branch Library and check out a birding backpack to aid in their observations.
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 4-H
4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university system and Cooperative Extension System. The program provides hands-on educational programs and experiences for youth ages 5 to 18 with the objective of developing youth as individuals, and as responsible and productive citizens. In Florida, 4-H is administered by University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University.
florida4h.org  |  grow4H@ifas.ufl.edu

A well-deserved vacation from instruction and exams doesn’t have to come with the summer slide — that time when summer learning loss can occur, according to the U.S. Department of Education. There are plenty of ways to engage kids at any age during these lazy summer days, say University of Florida experts. Here are a […]

Worried about the summer slide? UF/IFAS experts share options to fuel young minds

Research

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Involved Citizens

In an ongoing quest to bridge the information gap between the scientific community and Florida's citizenry, LAKEWATCH has assembled this series of information circulars that provide a basic introduction to the terminology and concepts used in today's water management arena.

Beginner's Guide to Water Management series

Voluntary public participation in the scientific process, addressing real-world problems in ways that may include formulating research questions, conducting scientific experiments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, making new discoveries, developing technologies and applications, for solving complex problems.

Citizen Science

director, Florida LAKEWATCH, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, UF/IFAS School of Forest Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences, Gainesville, FL <a href="https://vivo.ufl.edu/display/n48634">VIVO profile</a>

Hoyer, Mark V

Hostetler, Mark E.

Callaghan, Corey

Browse AskIFAS Terms

Activities

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Research is a process of systematic inquiry that entails collection of data; documentation of critical information; and analysis and interpretation of that data/information, in accordance with suitable methodologies set by specific professional fields and academic disciplines. (<a href="https://www.hampshire.edu/what-research">source</a>)

The terms used for Ask IFAS organization are selected with consideration of the terminology used in UF/IFAS publications and programs, as well as the terms recommended by the U.S. National Agricultural Library Thesaurus (NALT) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's AGROVOC thesaurus.&nbsp;

Citizen Science

Publications

BioBlitzes: Citizen Science for Biodiversity in Florida

Florida Monitoring Program: Point Count Method to Survey Birds

Florida Monitoring Program: Transect Method for Surveying Birds

Herping Adventures: A Guide to Exploring and Documenting Reptiles and Amphibians with iNaturalist

Lessons Learned from Evaluations of Citizen Science Programs

Magnificent Moths: A Guide to Begin “Mothing” and Contributing Your Observations to iNaturalist

Related IFAS Blog Posts

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census

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

Worried about the summer slide? UF/IFAS experts share options to fuel young minds

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