October Research Updates from the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Right Whale Festival The North Atlantic right whale calving season is approaching! Join us in Fernandina Beach for the annual Right Whale Festival November 2-3 and celebrate these endangered giants as they return to the warm coastal waters off Florida and Georgia to give birth and care for their calves.  Photo taken by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under NOAA permit #26919. MORE DETAILS Manatee Rescues After Storms Our team has had a busy few weeks responding to over a dozen manatees impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton along the west coast. At one rescue site in Largo, our manatee rescue team and partners rescued four manatees that entered a cemetery pond system during high water levels from Hurricane Helene. WATCH THE VIDEO October Nesting Update The 2024 nesting season is coming to a close! This is our final monthly update, and we will share the finalized nesting season numbers as soon as they are available! Statewide preliminary totals as of September 30th: 109,627 loggerhead nests (134,036 in 2023 and 116,518 in 2022) 14,204 green turtle nests (76,606 in 2023 and 37,787 in 2022) 1,797 leatherback nests (1,711 in 2023 and 1,825 in 2022) 24 confirmed Kemp’s ridley nests (10 in 2023 and 8 in 2022) LEARN MORE Invasive Catfish Condos These holes are dug by the exotic and invasive armored sailfin catfish (aka “plecos” or “Plecostomus”) as nesting sites to protect their eggs and young. This can cause problems as the holes contribute to bank erosion and increased turbidity in the water. While it may seem harmless, releasing pets can have serious consequences for the environment and wildlife that depend on these habitats.  READ MORE Red Tide Update Over the past week, 21 samples collected from Florida's Gulf Coast showed bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) of the red tide organism Karenia brevis. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track nearshore and offshore conditions. Additional information can be found on our web page. DAILY SAMPLE MAP 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 Internship Opportunities CWD Response Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force Meeting Information FIM Publications 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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