Conservation

Environmental and waterway news.

Latest in Conservation

Paddlin and Fishin

By: Dan Carns Gone are the days of a simple plastic kayak with a fixed seat and paddle and no …

As The Water Temp Warms

By: Capt. Mike Manis For many, this could simply be an extension of May.  If the tarpon are abundant, it’s …

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

By: Mike Hammond As more and more people are returning to the outdoors for recreation, kayak fishing is one of …

Report Horseshoe Crab Sightings to FWC for Science

House Bill 349 is a so-called “seagrass mitigation bill” which in practice further opens the door to more seagrass decline in the Indian River Lagoon. If passed into law, it gives coastal developers a big fat hall pass to continue doing business as usual, seagrass be damned.
David Powell, Vice-President of MCAC Artificial Reef Fund, has been busy securing and cleaning a 142-foot motor vessel to be deployed this summer by the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program.

SLC ARTIFICIAL REEF UPDATE: Weather Delays, ROV Drop Camera Methodology, and Moore’s Creek Cleanup

The Tug Singleton is getting closer to becoming St. Lucie County’s sixth tugboat artificial reef.
Macroalgae, such as these, have become dominant where native seagrass has declined.

Bad Seagrass Bill Fails

House Bill 349 is a so-called “seagrass mitigation bill” which in practice further opens the door to more seagrass decline in the Indian River Lagoon. If passed into law, it gives coastal developers a big fat hall pass to continue doing business as usual, seagrass be damned.

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12th Annual Skippers Dolphin Tournament May 29th – May 31st, 2026

The 12th Annual Skippers Dolphin Tournament returned to Key Largo May 29–31, 2026, bringing together anglers from across the region for an exciting weekend of offshore fishing, big payouts, dockside festivities, and Florida Keys camaraderie.

Retention Limit Adjustment: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Fishery

NOAA Fisheries is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational fishermen. The adjusted limits will take effect June 1, 2026, and extend through December 31, 2026, unless modified by later action. NOAA Fisheries may need to take additional action later in the year to further adjust the retention limits or close the fishery.

Go Deep(er)

Think you need heavy conventional gear and 80-lb test to pull big grouper from the deep? Think again. Fishing the 350 to 500+ foot depth range requires a total shift in mindset. Out here, heavy structure isn't the challenge—finding the bait is. Discover why a 20-pound braid, advanced electronics, and a perfectly weighted squid jig are the ultimate secret weapons for targeting deep-water giants.