Biology Parameters

As water quality decreases, the ability of the system to support its inhabitants decreases as well. In addition, as water quality decreases, the natural biological diversity of a system is replaced with species that are pollution resistant. For those of us who lack the expertise to know otherwise, a system may look healthy with numerous fish present, but in reality the system may have very poor water quality with only pollution resistant fish and invertebrates remaining. Often times, unless the particular water body is being monitored, there are no visible indications that the body is stressed until the system crashes. These crashes come in such forms as fish kills and algal blooms. The following measures have been selected to provide the community with a tracking device to monitor the biological integrity of the system in hopes that these crashes can be prevented.

• Shorebird population

  Tracking shorebird populations provides information on the status and trends of the area’s bird inhabitants; helps identify populations, species, and ecosystems at risk before they become threatened or endangered; and can provide tools for helping manage resources. These trends give conservationists, managers, citizens, and policy makers a window into the natural world and the health of environment.

  For further information: Children: US Fish and Wildlife Service Just for kids Adults, Media and Elected officials: US Fish and Wildlife Service Shorebirds US Fish and Wildlife Service Shorebird Sister School Program

• Fish Kills

  Fish kills can be caused by many factors such as low oxygen levels and algal blooms. The Florida Marine Research Institute tracks these kills and attempts to identify their cause. FMRI’s webpage details the latest information on fish kills.

• Mercury in Fish

  Mercury is a naturally occurring heavy metal that can be found in several forms throughout the environment. Anthropogenic (human) sources such as industrial manufacturing, mining and waste incineration significantly add to the amount of this heavy metal in the earth’s ecosystems. Consumption of excessive amounts of this toxic metallic element over a prolonged period of time can present a threat to human health. In high doses, mercury can also be toxic to fish and wildlife species.
  Due to the potential for human health problems, the Florida Department of Health works closely with the Florida Marine Research Institute to monitor levels of mercury in fish and issue health advisories when necessary. The following links will bring you to the latest information regarding mercury:

  • EPA Kids Superfund Mercury Page
  • FMRI Mercury in Fish Page
  • ECOS Mercury Page

• Exotic Species

  Invasion by nonindigenous species is one of the most important issues in natural resource management and conservation biology today. Exotic species are organisms that do not normally occur in a particular area that are brought in by accident or on purpose. The problem with these species is that they out-compete naturally occurring species and can completely take over natural ecosystems. Examples of exotic species are popcorn trees, zebra mussels and kudzu vines.

  For further information: Children, Adults, Media and Elected officials: USGS Nonindigenous Specie Page USGS Invasive Species Page FDEP Invasive Specie Page

  Data links: Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council

• Estimated amount of oyster harvest

  Oyster cultivation began more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. They had such a passion for oysters that they imported them from all over the Mediterranean and European coasts. The passion continues today – worldwide, almost two billion pounds are consumed annually.
  In Florida, oysters and clams are important aquatic species. The annual value of shellfish to the seafood industry in Florida exceeds 20 million dollars, with as many as 2,500 people employed in the harvesting, processing and distribution of shellfish. Most shellfish harvesting areas in Florida are now classified Conditionally Approved, with management plans calling for temporary closure following rainfall. Freshwater drainage from land introduces contaminants into estuaries where shellfish grow, and as coastal development continues, water quality may be degraded. Sources of pollution include failing septic systems, stormwater runoff, wastewater treatment plant outfalls and discharges from boats.

  For further information: Children, Adults, Media and Elected officials: Florida Division of Agriculture Shellfish Overview Page Florida Division of Agriculture Shellfish Handling Page Florida Division of Agriculture Shellfish Status Page

  Data links: Florida Agricultural Shellfish Landings Page

• Annual weight of commercial marine fisheries landings

  Although commercial landings of fish are, in general, highly subject to legislation and thus not always indicative of the health of an ecosystem there are a few species that may be considered indicator species. Due to their place at the base of the food chain and usual ubiquitous presence in the bay ecosystem, the atlantic croaker could be considered an indicator of the health of our bay. The link to the right will bring you to the Florida Marine Research Institute website detailing the status of the atlantic croaker stocks in Florida. For a complete report on the status of Florida’s fisheries:

  For further information: Children, Adults, Media and Elected officials: FMRI Trends Report FMRI Feature Reports

  The following links will provide you with more detailed information on other particularly important fish stocks:

  • Striped Mullet (FMRI Striped Mullet Report)
  • Florida Pompano (FMRI Pompano Report)
  • Spanish Sardine (FMRI Spanish Sardine Report)

  One of the most prized gamefish in our bay system, the spotted seatrout, or speckled trout as we call them here, is a fish stock on the rebound. Highly regulated, this fish stock shows signs of recovery. An interesting fact about the spotted seatrout in Florida is that there are 3 distinct genetic stocks, the east coast, southwest and the northwest. There is good news and bad news about the northwest stock. The good news is that our stock has the lowest mercury count in the state! But the bad news is that our trout population isn’t rebounding quite as fast the rest of the state.

  For further information: Children, Adults, Media and Elected officials: Spotted Seatrout (FMRI Spotted Seatrout Report) Genetic stocks of Seatrout (FMRI Spotted Seatrout Special Report)

  Data links: National Marine Fisheries Service Fisheries Statistics and Economics

For more detailed information about Florida’s fisheries from the Florida Marine Research Institute check this link. There you will find all the products the FMRI produces from the genetic analysis of fish populations to coloring books for the kids! Be sure to check out what they have available on fish stocks that are not commercially or recreationally important from the fisheries independent monitoring program. These fish are vitally important to the ecosystem and thus to us all!

Water quality and consequently water biology is affected by pollution that enters the system via three major pathways. These pathways are stormwater runoff, point source emissions and air deposition. A more complete discussion of these sources, as well as a set of measures which track our success of reducing the impact from these sources, can be found
HERE.

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