NEW BUOY SYSTEM TO PROTECT SEAGRASS IN ST. JOSEPH BAY

~Buoy system aims to protect seagrass by keeping boaters in deeper water~

PORT ST. JOE, Fla. – Boaters have a new tool to help them navigate the shallow waters around St. Joseph Bay. The Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserve has installed a new “Caution Shallow Seagrass Area” buoy system to help boaters stay in the deep-water channels, reducing the potential for running aground and damaging seagrass beds.  

"We are committed to protecting and restoring the vital seagrass communities of St. Joseph Bay," said Jonathan Brucker, St. Joseph Bay aquatic preserve manager. "The addition of these buoys will better educate boaters on what's going on under the surface as well as protect the variety of wildlife that depend on these ecosystems for their health and habitat." 

Seagrass plays a vital role in the health of the bay, providing habitat and food to many species. Scarring from boat propellers poses a significant threat to seagrass communities. Depending on the severity, it may take up to 10 years to repair prop-scar damage and some areas may never recover.

Brochures featuring a map of the buoy locations will soon be distributed to local marinas, the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve and the Gulf County Tourist Development Council to familiarize boaters with the new system. Kiosks at local boat ramps will also feature maps of the buoy system and educational information about protecting this critical habitat.

In partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a "Boating and Angling Guide" to Gulf County will feature the St. Joseph Bay buoy system. This work is a component of the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Phase III Early Restoration Project - Florida Seagrass Recovery, which aims to restore two acres of seagrass in St. Joseph Bay.  More information on the project may be found on DEP's Deepwater Horizon website.

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