Written by Max Geller, undergraduate summer intern hosted by FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program &#160; What is FIM? State agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are tasked with balancing the productivity of our rich ecosystems and the economic interests associated with recreational and commercial fishing. This is no easy task and [&#8230;]

Written by Max Geller, undergraduate summer intern hosted by FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program
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<figure id="attachment_4823" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4823" style="width: 240px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="wp-image-4823 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Intern Max Geller holds a striped burrfish, a species of pufferfish in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo credit: Brian Klimek. " width="240" height="320" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/files/2024/08/Picture20.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4823" class="wp-caption-text">Intern Max Geller holds a striped burrfish, a species of pufferfish in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo credit: Brian Klimek.</figcaption></figure>
What is FIM?
State agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are tasked with balancing the productivity of our rich ecosystems and the economic interests associated with recreational and commercial fishing. This is no easy task and requires the hard work of the many researchers stationed at FIM labs across Florida. The Fisheries Independent Monitoring program collects data to assess the health of our numerous coastal and freshwater species.  The objective is to provide other researchers, fisheries managers, and policymakers with the tools to make educated regulatory decisions. In addition, FIM researchers are on the front lines in protecting our estuarine habitats- observing changes in species behavior, disease occurrence, and novel interaction.
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<figure id="attachment_4825" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4825" style="width: 251px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-4825 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="A sampling net being pulled behind the FWC boat. Photo credit: Max Geller. " width="251" height="335" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/files/2024/08/Picture21.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4825" class="wp-caption-text">A sampling net being pulled behind the FWC boat. Photo credit: Max Geller.</figcaption></figure>
Tools of the Trade
If it touches saltwater, you better count on it breaking. Thus, a good researcher is measured by how many redundancies they bring. These are a few maxims I took from my time with the FIM team. The success of a FIM survey relies on the constant maintenance of a fleet of shallow-running mullet boats, the primary one this season being the trusty “Billie Lyne.” This 18-foot skiff carries our crew, measuring tools, water-quality instruments, and an assortment of seine nets. These different nets allow us to selectively sample fish species based on life stage, size, and habitat preference. The 70-foot net is used to target juvenile estuarine or freshwater species, while the 600-footer is our tool of choice to sample mature fishes in open water. A normal field day consists of pulling both the 70’ and 600’ at multiple sampling sites. The team measures, identifies, counts, and then releases each captured individual (unless destined for a trip to the lab). If you are not tired by the end of this process, then you haven’t pulled enough nets, or a storm has chased you off the water.
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<figure id="attachment_4827" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4827" style="width: 282px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-4827 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="A sampled fish being ID&#039;d in the FWC lab. Photo credit: Max Geller. " width="282" height="329" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/files/2024/08/Picture22.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4827" class="wp-caption-text">A sampled fish being ID&#8217;d in the FWC lab. Photo credit: Max Geller.</figcaption></figure>
Wet Work
To complete FIM’s objectives, time spent on the water is a small part of the equation. A significant amount of work is completed back in the lab. One responsibility is completing representative and identification samples. We select a portion of our catches to analyze in the lab, using dissection microscopes to count fin rays or observe diagnostic features. These are then sent to other labs to confirm the accuracy of our identifications. Some fish species are quite cryptic and are extremely difficult to Identify.  Even the professionals need to be checked!
The idea of getting shoulder-deep in a frozen cobia may not seem appealing to some, but “wet lab” can yield some of the most interesting findings. Some game fish caught during our surveys are culled for further study and are “worked up in wet lab.” The specimen emerges from an ice bath to be weighed, then the technician opens the gut cavity to determine the sex. Finally, the braincase is cracked open to remove the otolith for later aging (like how the rings of a tree are counted). For some select species, we collect histological samples to determine factors such as mercury concentration or fecundity.
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<figure id="attachment_4831" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4831" style="width: 315px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4831 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Intern Max Geller holding a large redfish. Photo credit: Brian Klimek." width="315" height="236" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/files/2024/08/Picture24.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4831" class="wp-caption-text">Intern Max Geller holding a large redfish. Photo credit: Brian Klimek.</figcaption></figure>
Thank You
In my short time at the FIM lab, I worked with an incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and inspiring team. I thank Caleb Purtlebaugh and Anthony Knapp of FWC for hosting me, as well as NCBS for providing this opportunity. I would like to give a special thanks to Hunter Barrand, Will Ray, Jennie Miller, and Brian Klimek for pulling the nets by my side and suffering through my questions. I came away from the experience with a wealth of practical knowledge in marine studies, a deeper understanding of the scientific process, a few good stories, and many more questions.
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| Follow the link to <a href="https://ncbs.ifas.ufl.edu/internship-program/">learn more about the UF/IFAS NCBS Undergraduate Summer Internship</a> program. Read more intern blogs <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/tag/ncbs-interns/">here</a>. |
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Featured image credit: UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones
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Written by Max Geller, undergraduate summer intern hosted by FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program
 
Intern Max Geller holds a striped burrfish, a species of pufferfish in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo credit: Brian Klimek.
What is FIM?
State agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are tasked with balancing the productivity of our rich ecosystems and the economic interests associated with recreational and commercial fishing. This is no easy task and requires the hard work of the many researchers stationed at FIM labs across Florida. The Fisheries Independent Monitoring program collects data to assess the health of our numerous coastal and freshwater species.  The objective is to provide other researchers, fisheries managers, and policymakers with the tools to make educated regulatory decisions. In addition, FIM researchers are on the front lines in protecting our estuarine habitats- observing changes in species behavior, disease occurrence, and novel interaction.
 
 
A sampling net being pulled behind the FWC boat. Photo credit: Max Geller.
Tools of the Trade
If it touches saltwater, you better count on it breaking. Thus, a good researcher is measured by how many redundancies they bring. These are a few maxims I took from my time with the FIM team. The success of a FIM survey relies on the constant maintenance of a fleet of shallow-running mullet boats, the primary one this season being the trusty “Billie Lyne.” This 18-foot skiff carries our crew, measuring tools, water-quality instruments, and an assortment of seine nets. These different nets allow us to selectively sample fish species based on life stage, size, and habitat preference. The 70-foot net is used to target juvenile estuarine or freshwater species, while the 600-footer is our tool of choice to sample mature fishes in open water. A normal field day consists of pulling both the 70’ and 600’ at multiple sampling sites. The team measures, identifies, counts, and then releases each captured individual (unless destined for a trip to the lab). If you are not tired by the end of this process, then you haven’t pulled enough nets, or a storm has chased you off the water.
 
A sampled fish being ID’d in the FWC lab. Photo credit: Max Geller.
Wet Work
To complete FIM’s objectives, time spent on the water is a small part of the equation. A significant amount of work is completed back in the lab. One responsibility is completing representative and identification samples. We select a portion of our catches to analyze in the lab, using dissection microscopes to count fin rays or observe diagnostic features. These are then sent to other labs to confirm the accuracy of our identifications. Some fish species are quite cryptic and are extremely difficult to Identify.  Even the professionals need to be checked!
The idea of getting shoulder-deep in a frozen cobia may not seem appealing to some, but “wet lab” can yield some of the most interesting findings. Some game fish caught during our surveys are culled for further study and are “worked up in wet lab.” The specimen emerges from an ice bath to be weighed, then the technician opens the gut cavity to determine the sex. Finally, the braincase is cracked open to remove the otolith for later aging (like how the rings of a tree are counted). For some select species, we collect histological samples to determine factors such as mercury concentration or fecundity.
 
Intern Max Geller holding a large redfish. Photo credit: Brian Klimek.
Thank You
In my short time at the FIM lab, I worked with an incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and inspiring team. I thank Caleb Purtlebaugh and Anthony Knapp of FWC for hosting me, as well as NCBS for providing this opportunity. I would like to give a special thanks to Hunter Barrand, Will Ray, Jennie Miller, and Brian Klimek for pulling the nets by my side and suffering through my questions. I came away from the experience with a wealth of practical knowledge in marine studies, a deeper understanding of the scientific process, a few good stories, and many more questions.
 
| Follow the link to learn more about the UF/IFAS NCBS Undergraduate Summer Internship program. Read more intern blogs here. |
 
Featured image credit: UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones

Written by Max Geller, undergraduate summer intern hosted by FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program   What is FIM? State agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are tasked with balancing the productivity of our rich ecosystems and the economic interests associated with recreational and commercial fishing. This is no easy task and […]

NCBS Intern Report: Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program

Written by Marta Camps-Gonzalez, 2024 undergraduate summer intern hosted by FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program &#160; This summer I had the opportunity to be an intern at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s lab in Cedar Key. Specifically, participating in their program Fisheries-Independent Monitoring. This had an inshore and offshore component, and I was [&#8230;]

Written by Marta Camps-Gonzalez, 2024 undergraduate summer intern hosted by FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program
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<figure id="attachment_4767" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4767" style="width: 236px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4767 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Marta holding a stingray caught in a seine net." width="236" height="315" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/files/2024/08/Picture15-225x300.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4767" class="wp-caption-text">Marta holding a stingray caught in a seine net. Photo credit: Caleb Purtlebaugh.</figcaption></figure>
This summer I had the opportunity to be an intern at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s lab in Cedar Key. Specifically, participating in their program Fisheries-Independent Monitoring. This had an inshore and offshore component, and I was lucky enough to be a part of both. During this time, I got to experience life as a marine biologist working with an incredible team of scientists who play a vital role in the maintenance of our local sea life.
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<figure id="attachment_4769" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4769" style="width: 369px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4769 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Marta pulling a seine net." width="369" height="277" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/files/2024/08/Picture16-300x225.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4769" class="wp-caption-text">Intern Marta pulling a seine net with FWC staff. Photo credit: Caleb Purtlebaugh.</figcaption></figure>
Inshore FIM
The most common work being done at this lab is the monthly surveying of Cedar Key in a variety of different areas of the region chosen through stratified random sampling. This ensured an accurate representation of the populations in those habitats was being collected. Using different sampling gears including 600ft and 70ft seines with different sized mesh. We pulled these nets to collect the fish and invertebrates and then they would be measured and identified on the boat to then be released or selected to be brought back to the lab for further sample extraction or identification. At the same time, we also recorded the water quality (salinity, temperature, pH…) and physical factors (shore type, vegetation…) of the site.
<figure id="attachment_4771" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4771" style="width: 216px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4771 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Fish ID in the lab." width="216" height="383" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/files/2024/08/Picture17-169x300.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4771" class="wp-caption-text">Fish ID in the FWC lab. Photo credit: Marta Camps-Gonzalez.</figcaption></figure>
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Back in the lab, I participated in several tasks one such being dissecting fish to pull otoliths, take muscle tissue for mercury testing, identify gonads to sex. Another important part of the process was recording the data collected into the digital system to make it widely accessible. This required a series of checks and balances to avoid human error. In a similar way, the representative samples of smaller species were analyzed more thoroughly using more detailed identification methods to verify the work done in the field. Being a part of each of these steps helped me become very familiar with the common species we caught, and I learnt to appreciate the importance of accurate data reporting.
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<figure id="attachment_4773" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4773" style="width: 367px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4773 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Offshore fishing boat." width="367" height="275" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/files/2024/08/Picture18-300x225.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4773" class="wp-caption-text">Intern Marta and FWC staff sampling from an offshore fishing vessel. Photo credit: Caleb Purtlebaugh.</figcaption></figure>
Offshore FIM
During the summer, the Cedar Key lab participates in sampling off the panhandle of Florida. This was a very unique experience for me because I got to live on a boat for a couple days. This type of surveying was done through hook and line fishing with a variation of fishing lines, hooks, and baits. At each site, there would be three people fishing at a time and we would drop the baits at the same time till we reached the bottom. At this point, we would start a two-minute timer and by the end of it we would reel back the lines. However, if in this time we felt a fish bite, we would bring it up and wait for the next drop. This was repeated ten times at each site. When a fish was caught, we identified, measured, and inspected it for barotrauma then if it was not one of the select species we needed for further samples, we released it. All of this information was recorded and at the end of the day, we extracted more details on the fish that were kept in a similar way to how we did it in the lab. I had never fished before, but I was able to learn quickly, and I really enjoyed seeing the variety of fish we caught. Doing science on a boat isn’t always easy and we saw this with the unpredictable weather we experienced but it was definitely something I would like to do again in the future.
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Thank you
Everything I learned and had the chance to experience during my time as an intern here has made me fall in love with marine biology even more. I am so excited to be able to take all these new skills and knowledge and apply them on my journey to a career in this field. I am so grateful to everyone in the FIM group at Cedar Key for welcoming me, patiently teaching me, and making sure I had a great experience of everything the lab offered. Thank you Jennie, Brian, Will, Hunter, Stephanie, Susan, Liam, Taj, Caleb, and everyone at the lab.
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| Follow the link to <a href="https://ncbs.ifas.ufl.edu/internship-program/">learn more about the UF/IFAS NCBS Undergraduate Summer Internship</a> program. Read more intern blogs <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ncbs/tag/ncbs-interns/">here</a>. |
Featured image credit: UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones
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Written by Marta Camps-Gonzalez, 2024 undergraduate summer intern hosted by FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program
 
Marta holding a stingray caught in a seine net. Photo credit: Caleb Purtlebaugh.
This summer I had the opportunity to be an intern at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s lab in Cedar Key. Specifically, participating in their program Fisheries-Independent Monitoring. This had an inshore and offshore component, and I was lucky enough to be a part of both. During this time, I got to experience life as a marine biologist working with an incredible team of scientists who play a vital role in the maintenance of our local sea life.
 
Intern Marta pulling a seine net with FWC staff. Photo credit: Caleb Purtlebaugh.
Inshore FIM
The most common work being done at this lab is the monthly surveying of Cedar Key in a variety of different areas of the region chosen through stratified random sampling. This ensured an accurate representation of the populations in those habitats was being collected. Using different sampling gears including 600ft and 70ft seines with different sized mesh. We pulled these nets to collect the fish and invertebrates and then they would be measured and identified on the boat to then be released or selected to be brought back to the lab for further sample extraction or identification. At the same time, we also recorded the water quality (salinity, temperature, pH…) and physical factors (shore type, vegetation…) of the site.
Fish ID in the FWC lab. Photo credit: Marta Camps-Gonzalez.
 
Back in the lab, I participated in several tasks one such being dissecting fish to pull otoliths, take muscle tissue for mercury testing, identify gonads to sex. Another important part of the process was recording the data collected into the digital system to make it widely accessible. This required a series of checks and balances to avoid human error. In a similar way, the representative samples of smaller species were analyzed more thoroughly using more detailed identification methods to verify the work done in the field. Being a part of each of these steps helped me become very familiar with the common species we caught, and I learnt to appreciate the importance of accurate data reporting.
 
Intern Marta and FWC staff sampling from an offshore fishing vessel. Photo credit: Caleb Purtlebaugh.
Offshore FIM
During the summer, the Cedar Key lab participates in sampling off the panhandle of Florida. This was a very unique experience for me because I got to live on a boat for a couple days. This type of surveying was done through hook and line fishing with a variation of fishing lines, hooks, and baits. At each site, there would be three people fishing at a time and we would drop the baits at the same time till we reached the bottom. At this point, we would start a two-minute timer and by the end of it we would reel back the lines. However, if in this time we felt a fish bite, we would bring it up and wait for the next drop. This was repeated ten times at each site. When a fish was caught, we identified, measured, and inspected it for barotrauma then if it was not one of the select species we needed for further samples, we released it. All of this information was recorded and at the end of the day, we extracted more details on the fish that were kept in a similar way to how we did it in the lab. I had never fished before, but I was able to learn quickly, and I really enjoyed seeing the variety of fish we caught. Doing science on a boat isn’t always easy and we saw this with the unpredictable weather we experienced but it was definitely something I would like to do again in the future.
 
Thank you
Everything I learned and had the chance to experience during my time as an intern here has made me fall in love with marine biology even more. I am so excited to be able to take all these new skills and knowledge and apply them on my journey to a career in this field. I am so grateful to everyone in the FIM group at Cedar Key for welcoming me, patiently teaching me, and making sure I had a great experience of everything the lab offered. Thank you Jennie, Brian, Will, Hunter, Stephanie, Susan, Liam, Taj, Caleb, and everyone at the lab.
 
| Follow the link to learn more about the UF/IFAS NCBS Undergraduate Summer Internship program. Read more intern blogs here. |
Featured image credit: UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones

Written by Marta Camps-Gonzalez, 2024 undergraduate summer intern hosted by FWC Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program   This summer I had the opportunity to be an intern at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s lab in Cedar Key. Specifically, participating in their program Fisheries-Independent Monitoring. This had an inshore and offshore component, and I was […]

NCBS Intern Report: Fisheries Independent Monitoring

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 in Florida and wish to help researchers know more about red tide?</h3>
<figure id="attachment_4745" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4745" style="width: 450px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4745 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="450" height="576" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/Fish-Kill-Hotline-.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4745" class="wp-caption-text">The web-based FWC Fish Kill Hotline form. Responses are also collected through phone by calling 1-800-636-0511.</figcaption></figure>
<h3><a href="https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/2485ecbeded748689725da57b1bc319a">Then please consider submitting data to the FWC Fish Kill Hotline anytime you experience dead marine life, particularly when red tide may be present! </a></h3>
The Fish Kill Hotline survey tool used to collect general fish kill reports may be accessed via the hyperlink above or by copy and pasting this link into your browser:
<a href="https://bit.ly/FKHotline">https://bit.ly/FKHotline </a>
OR
<a href="https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0">https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/2485ecbeded748689725da57b1bc319ahttps://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0</a>
OR
By calling 1-800-636-0511 and letting them know what you have seen!
Learn more about the <a href="https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/#:~:text=You%20can%20also%20contact%20the,of%20fish%20kills%20and%20disease.">FWC Fish Kill Hotline by visiting their landing page here</a>
<figure id="attachment_4743" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4743" style="width: 385px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4743 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="385" height="362" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/FWC-fish-kill-hotline-screen-grab.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4743" class="wp-caption-text">Neat and helpful data generated from FWC Fish Kill Hotline responses. This information can assist managers know where kills are occurring, the magnitude of the damage and more which can help identify cause of mortality.</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
Fish kills aren&#8217;t unique to red tide, there can be a number of causes how and why they can occur (low dissolved oxygen, pollution, storms/tidal surge, blue green algae); however for the project above, we are most interested in marine reports. Information researchers are interested in for this project 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!
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
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 in Florida and wish to help researchers know more about red tide?
The web-based FWC Fish Kill Hotline form. Responses are also collected through phone by calling 1-800-636-0511.
Then please consider submitting data to the FWC Fish Kill Hotline anytime you experience dead marine life, particularly when red tide may be present! 
The Fish Kill Hotline survey tool used to collect general fish kill reports may be accessed via the hyperlink above or by copy and pasting this link into your browser:
https://bit.ly/FKHotline 
OR
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/2485ecbeded748689725da57b1bc319ahttps://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0
OR
By calling 1-800-636-0511 and letting them know what you have seen!
Learn more about the FWC Fish Kill Hotline by visiting their landing page here
Neat and helpful data generated from FWC Fish Kill Hotline responses. This information can assist managers know where kills are occurring, the magnitude of the damage and more which can help identify cause of mortality.
 
Fish kills aren’t unique to red tide, there can be a number of causes how and why they can occur (low dissolved oxygen, pollution, storms/tidal surge, blue green algae); however for the project above, we are most interested in marine reports. Information researchers are interested in for this project 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!
 
 
 
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!

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

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