What’s the point of devoting money and manpower to extensive oyster reef restoration if we can’t eat them? Simply put, oysters are hardly a one-trick pony. Here’s a quick rundown of the benefits of our local oysters, even though we can’t slurp them down with Tabasco and a cold beer.Florida Oceanographic Society
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is celebrating its inaugural Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day by hosting and promoting a weekend of exciting events across the state, starting Saturday, May 16, including a festival in Pensacola. Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day (established to be the first Saturday after Mother’s Day each year) was created by FWC Commissioners to help draw attention to the lionfish issue. Lionfish are a nonnative, invasive species that have a potential negative impact on native species and habitat.Treasure Coast
Florida Oceanographic Society will host the 4th annual Game Fish and Fish Games on Sunday, April 19 from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. for children ages 8–14. This free fishing clinic will take place at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, 890 N.E. Ocean Blvd. on Hutchinson Island in Stuart.Editorial Staff
Martin County’s Lionfish Program in conjunction with the Martin County Artificial (MCAC) Reef Fund will host a Lionfish Clinic and Hunt, on April 24th & 25th at the Loxahatchee River Center in Jupiter.Treasure Coast
You could play an important part in an ongoing seahorse genetics study being run by marine biologist Nancy Pham Ho from Florida Institute of Technology’s Vero Beach Marine Laboratory. Nancy is enlisting the help of “Citizen Scientists” just like you to help collect DNA samples from local seahorses.Florida Oceanographic Society
In the northern parts of our great country, anglers enjoy chasing down enormous pike and elusive musky. We Floridians don’t usually give a second thought, but they are in Florida!Brandon Tourigny
Stretching 500 miles across the northern side of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Trench is the deepest in the Atlantic Ocean. Virgin Islands/Puerto Rico Edition
When the fish gets in the strike zone of the dolphins tail, you can see the dolphin looking at the fish and lining up the kick. It's a difficult technique to learn, and not all dolphins know how to do it. However, once learned, it provides an obvious advantage over simply chasing a fish and catching it with the mouth. A quick, precise flip of the tail and dinner is served, versus chasing a fish down and catching it with the mouth which can often take a few minutes and require a lot of energy.Editorial Staff