Conservation

Environmental and waterway news.

Latest in Conservation

Estuaries and Water Quality Management

Estuaries are some of the most productive and biologically diverse environments around Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. They are the areas where freshwater drained from the land meets and mixes with seawater to form a brackish water body. Estuaries and bays serve as important nurseries for fish.

Monofilament fishing line perilous for pelicans

Fishing is an important part of the Florida lifestyle as well as its economy. In spite of the obvious benefits, this leisure-time activity, on occasion, can lead to problems for birds and other wildlife such as sea turtles and manatees. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists, monofilament fishing line and fishing hooks can entangle these animals, leading to injury and even death.

Giant Prehistoric Turtle Discovered at Apalachicola!

That headline may be a bit of hyperbole, but we’re excited nonetheless! (We do love our reptiles around here at Apalachicola Riverkeeper). The ‘new’ turtle is the Alligator Snapping Turtle.
sea turtle conservation

Help Protect Our Sea Turtles

Marine turtles are some of the most remarkable creatures you may encounter out on the water. Their numbers have declined, and all marine turtles are classified as either threatened or endangered.

There is a “Silver Bullet”; Use it NOW

By Mark D. Perry, Executive Director, Florida Oceanographic Society We all remember the Lone Ranger; He used silver bullets as a symbol …

Goliath Grouper

Recently while out scuba diving to collect marine specimens for universities, the staff at GSML saw a goliath grouper.

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Lake Erie’s Big Brown Bass

Lake Erie boasts some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the world. On this massive lake, the Eastern Basin offers a stellar habitat for bronzebacks.

Under The Sea – Slings and Polearms

There’s a retro-movement taking place—a trend toward primitive hunting gear. Slings and polespears are used in places that do not allow trigger mechanisms.

Upstate New York Bass on the Fly!

For an angler, being outside and fishing in a short sleeve shirt with no one around should be enough to call any day a success. This day was about to get better. As we cast into a river with increasing water temps and a majority of the steelhead already back in Lake Ontario, our expectations of a tight line were low. Soon enough, as we launched large flies into the water, the addicting tight line grabs began. These fierce strikes were not steelhead, but hungry smallmouth bass. We enjoyed a full day on the river swinging 4-plus-inch flies and catching more than 25 smallmouth bass apiece.