FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute December Research Updates

North Atlantic Right Whale Season Updates North Atlantic right whale calving season has begun! Catalog #2413 ‘Nauset’ kicked off the season when she was sighted with a calf on December 1, 2024, near Sapelo Island, GA. We have identified five mother-calf pairs so far. One of the most recent mothers, Catalog #3503 ‘Caterpillar,' is 20 years old. She and her first calf are pictured above. Photo by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA permit 26919. VISIT WHALEMAP.ORG Snake Sampling Our biologists came across this venomous eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) while conducting surveys for the imperiled eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) and collected biological samples that will allow us to learn more about diseases impacting snakes in the region. LEARN MORE Sponges are to DYE for! Sponges can filter hundreds of gallons of water a day, removing excess nutrients and helping to keep waters clear! FWC researchers are using a non-toxic dye to measure the filtration rate of sponges in Florida Bay. WATCH THE VIDEO Join us at MarineQuest! Manatees, panthers, sea turtles and more! Join us for an unforgettable day of discovery at our 30th annual FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute open house: MarineQuest 2025! Join us for our FREE public event:  Saturday, February 8th, 2025  10am – 4pm  FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Pete RSVP NOW New Research Did you know that many sportfish in Florida live in mangroves and salt marshes when they are young? Coastal wetland scientists and fishery biologists at FWRI worked together to study the characteristics of coastal ponds to see what types of ponds hosted the highest number of juvenile snook and tarpon.  LEARN MORE New on MyFWC.com/Research We hope you enjoy these articles that have been recently added/updated on our website: Red Tide Current Status Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources 2024 Manatee Mortalities Annual Rescue Summary [Manatee] New Publications [American Crocodile] Human Dimensions Study [Crocodilian] Publications [Gopher Tortoise] Publications Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force Meeting Information Steidinger Scholars Stone Crab Catch Data Our Mission Through effective research and technical knowledge, we provide timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage Florida's fish and wildlife resources.

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