Florida Wildlife Research Institute March Research Updates

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Abnormal Fish Behavior Event FWC is documenting reports of abnormal fish behavior and a series of smalltooth sawfish deaths in the Lower Keys. At this time, the cause of the abnormal behavior and mortalities is not known, but FWC is actively collecting and analyzing samples. Please visit our webpage for the most up to date information on sampling, reports, and mortalities. This event response website will be updated weekly with the most current information on the Florida Keys Abnormal Fish Behavior Event: https://www.myfwc.com/spinningevent. How can you help? Report all healthy, sick, injured or dead sawfish to FWC’s Sawfish Hotline at 1-844-4SAWFISH (1-844-472-9347) or via email at Sawfish@myfwc.com. Include the date, time and location of the encounter, estimated length, water depth and any other relevant details. Under the Endangered Species Act, it is illegal to catch, harm, harass, or kill an endangered sawfish. If you see abnormal fish behavior, fish disease, and fish kills, submit a report to FWC’s Fish Kill Hotline either through the web form or by calling 800-636-0511. Horseshoe Crab Spotlight March is a big month for horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus)! We have a new publication investigating how horseshoe crab body size varies throughout their range. Horeshoe crabs from New England to Mexico were measured, and reserchers found that crabs in different latitudes have unique body sizes and shapes. FWC relies on peer-reviewed science for its management; you can access this full publication here. March is also a peak month for horseshoe crab mating. Horseshoe crabs’ mate year-round, but it’s most common to see mating groups along the shore of sandy, lower wave action beaches in March and April (and also September and October). You will have your best luck spotting a horseshoe crab around high tide within a few days of a new or full moon. By reporting horseshoe crab sightings, you are helping our team learn more about habitat use, population distribution, and environmental conditions for nesting. Although horseshoe crabs have existed for more than 450 million years, we still have much to learn about this species and its populations in Florida. Want to help us learn more? Consider joining the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch citizen science initiative. FWC photo. Oil Spill and Disaster Management The FWRI's proactive disaster management approach, led by dedicated scientists in our Information Science and Management section, involves meticulous planning, responsive actions, and specialized restoration efforts. Scientists utilize comprehensive assessments and the Environmental Sensitivity Index to prioritize areas of concern and enable a timely response to disaster. Read more about this collaborative effort and learn about two successful recoveries in Florida. Amberjack Tagging with the MERR Lab Another day in the office! The Movement Ecology and Reproductive Resilience (MERR) Lab, a collaborative research group between FWRI and UF, had a successful day tagging Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) in the Gulf of Mexico. Near perfect visibility in the water allowed biologists to spot individuals feeding 60 feet below the surface.  Once caught, the fish were implanted with acoustic tags to help biologists better understand their movements between habitats as well as spawning site selection and fidelity. As Greater Amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico are overfished and subject to overfishing, research to learn more about their reproductive dynamics and associated movements to and from spawning grounds is critical for this species. On this trip, our biologists successfully caught, tagged, and released an additional 9 Greater Amberjack, adding to the total number being tracked across a range of habitats from shallower nearshore sites to deepwater spawning habitats in the Northern Gulf of Mexico and in the Florida Keys. Learn more about this work and other Gulf tracking research on the iTAG webpage.  To report a tagged fish call 1-800-367-4461, email tagreturn@MyFWC.com, or report on our webpage.   FWRI Celebrates Manatee Appreciation Day It’s Spring! Water temperatures are rising, and manatees are leaving their winter warm water refuges and are more likely to be seen in coastal waters, estuaries, tidal creeks and freshwater systems. Boaters! Help celebrate Manatee Appreciation Day everyday by respecting speed zones, keeping an extra eye out for manatees on the water, and ensuring all garbage and fishing equipment is properly secured and disposed of. If you see an injured, entangled, orphaned or dead manatee, please report it as soon as possible to our Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922). Looking for other ways to support manatees? Florida residents can show their appreciation everyday by purchasing a Save the Manatee License Plate! Support manatee research, rescue and, conservation efforts by getting your very own manatee license plate today. And, USPS is now offering a stamp to raise awareness for manatees and the challenges they face. Learn more online. Hogfish Research in Dry Tortugas National Park FWRI scientists in the Florida Keys have partnered with Dry Tortugas National Park to study hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) in a no-take marine reserve of the park, known as the Research Natural Area. Protected since 2007, there is no anchoring and no fishing allowed in the 46 square mile reserve. This provides FWC scientists with an opportunity to study an unfished population of hogfish in south Florida which is critically important for establishing a baseline for hogfish movement and food web interactions without the effects of fishing pressure. This baseline will ensure that FWC is able to provide the best management of the hogfish fishery. Watch the video! 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 Summaries [Manatee] New Publications Panhandle Scallop Sitters Internship Opportunities Ongoing Shellfish Work at the New Crystal River Field Lab HAB Monitoring Database [Florida Coral Rescue] News and Updates Stone Crab Catch Data Seagrass Integrated Mapping and Monitoring Program Florida Keys Abnormal Fish Behavior Event 2023 - Present Commercial Fisheries Landings in Florida 2023 Statewide [Sea Turtle] Nesting Totals Loggerhead Nesting in Florida Green Turtle Nesting in Florida Leatherback Nesting in Florida 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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