Hunting for White Ibis in Orange Lake
May 24, 2009
ALACHUA COUNTY – One of the great pleasures of Florida birdwatching is the white ibis (Guara alba). In the evening, they tend to pick insects in lawns and fields, and in most cases are not afraid of humans, and so come in close enough so you can get a good look. Often, they are in groups; if you are lucky, you can spy a mother and her young. Read more
Tarpon DNA Sought From Sport Fisherman
May 14, 2009
Anglers from across the state are helping biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and the Mote Marine Laboratory gather valuable information about tarpon. Results from the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study yield new insight into how tarpon can survive catch-and-release angling and how tarpon move throughout Florida waters.
FWRI biologists analyze tarpon DNA samples submitted by anglers. Each sample identifies a tarpon’s genetic “fingerprint,” providing a unique and natural tag for that individual fish. Scientists compare new tarpon DNA samples with cataloged samples to determine if someone caught and sampled the tarpon previously.
Using DNA as a tag is a cost-effective, less-invasive way to identify individual tarpon. Because a genetic code never changes, it is a permanent way to identify fish; conventional tags tend to break or dislodge.
So far, anglers have provided more than 3,000 DNA samples. Biologists have recorded 23 recaptured tarpon from locations across the state, including Miami, the Florida Keys, Fort Myers, Boca Grande, Sarasota, Tampa Bay and the Indian River Lagoon. Biologists welcome samples from tarpon caught regardless of capture location or fish size.
Anglers who would like to participate in this study can obtain a free, easy-to-use tarpon DNA sampling kit by e-mailing TarponGenetics@MyFWC.com or by calling 800-367-4461.
Biologists will send participating anglers an annual newsletter with updates on the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study. Anglers will also receive additional information about specific fish they caught as it becomes available.
Anglers who submit a tarpon DNA sample to this program are entered into random drawings for various prizes.
For more information on the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study, visit http://research.MyFWC.com.
New Online Boating and Angling Guide to Tampa Bay
May 8, 2009
A new online Boating and Angling Guide to Tampa Bay, designed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, is now available on the Internet. The FWRI created the new guide in response to requests from the public to provide boating and angling information in an interactive, user-friendly format.
Funded through a Tampa Bay Estuary Program Bay Mini-Grant, the interactive, online guide complements the recently updated print version of the guide.
The guide contains all of the information found in the print version and much more. Users can zoom in and out on specific areas of the Tampa Bay region. They can view detailed maps of popular recreation areas, with information and links specific to those locations. Users also can download many of these maps directly to their computer to view and print at their leisure.
Anglers can access up-to-date fishing regulations specific to the Tampa Bay area, information on proper catch-and-release techniques and a list of popular local sport fish. Paddlers can plan trips with a list of area paddling trails linked to the corresponding trail Web sites and maps.
To view the new interactive guide or to order a printed copy of the Boating and Angling Guide to Tampa Bay, visit http://research.MyFWC.com/boating_guides
Some State Parks Still Closed for Flooding
May 2, 2009
TALLAHASSEE — Six of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s state parks remain closed today due to recent flooding. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs has completely re-opened. The remaining five parks that experienced closures have partially re-opened for visitor use. Closed parks and services will resume once conditions allow.
Continued state park closures include:
Adams Tract River Camp
C/o Troy Springs State Park
674 N.E. Troy Springs Road
Branford, Florida 32008
*Closed until further notice.
Holton Creek River Camp
C/o Suwannee River State Park
3631 201st Path
Live Oak, Florida 32060
*Closed until further notice.
Dowling Park River Camp
C/o Suwannee River State Park
3631 201st Path
Live Oak, Florida 32060
*Closed until further notice.
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park
799 N.W. Blue Spring Road
Mayo, Florida 32066
* Closed until further notice.
Madison Blue Springs State Park
8300 N.E. State Road 6
Lee, Florida 32059
*Closed until further notice.
Peacock Springs State Park
12087 SW US Highway 27
Ft. White, Florida 32038
*Closed until further notice.
Parks experiencing partial closures:
Manatee Springs State Park
11650 NW 115th Street
Chiefland, Florida 32626
*Park and campground open. Swimming, river boardwalk, canoe/kayak access and some portions of the park are closed to visitors until further notice.
Fanning Springs State Park
18020 N.W. U.S. Highway 19
Fanning Springs, Florida 32693
*Docks and swimming area closed until further notice. The cabins and park remain open for day use visitors.
Suwannee River State Park
3631 201st Path
Live Oak, Florida 32060
*Campground and cabins are now open, but some portions of the park remain closed.
Troy Springs State Park
674 N.E. Troy Springs Road
Branford, Florida 32008
*Closed to swimming and diving until further notice. The park remains open for day use visitors.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
*The isolated day use area accessed by Topsail Road, off of Highway 98 is closed until further notice. The rest of the park remains open for day use and overnight visitors.
Visitors can contact state parks directly for the most up to date information on park closures, or visit www.FloridaStateParks.org. For additional information on flood conditions, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org, or visit www.FL511.com for traffic updates.
