How are Fish using Florida Bay: Impacts and Effects of Seagrass Distribution

Project Overview

In 2015, there was a major loss of seagrass about the size of 17,000 football fields within Florida Bay. Yet, little is known about the effects of seagrass loss on fish. This project aims to address the impacts of seagrass loss on recreational sportfish movement. Using 70 listening stations and 250 internal fish tags, seagrass mapping will be used to understand how the location of seagrass changed due to the die off will be used to look at movement patterns in response to this disturbance. 

Why this Matters

Management is working to protect sports fish in Florida Bay. Therefore, it is important to understand how seagrass loss can impact the behavior and health of fish.

Lead Organizations

• Florida International University
• National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
• Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Partners

• Everglades National Park

Supported by

• National Park Service Critical Ecosystem Study Initiative (CESI)

Project Status

• Ongoing:
  • FACT Project Codes
    • CELASE

Contact

• Jonathan Rodemann
  

Resources & Publications

• mywed.fiu.edu/rehagej/