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| by Geoff Burgerhoff |
On March 26, 2006 The Estuary Conservation Association, Florida Gulf Coast University, Eagle Ray Dive Club, and citizen volunteers from the SWFL community mobilized to celebrate Seagrass Awareness Month by conducting ECA’s first seagrass survey in the Cocohatchee Outstanding Florida Water Region.
Although weather and water visibility conditions were less than ideal, this survey was important because of reports that sea grasses were no longer growing in this estuary.
For me, this initial survey was also important for another reason: my masters thesis project at Florida Gulf Coast University is on sea grass conservation and restoration. If no more sea grass is growing in this estuary, my thesis research be far more difficult.
We surveyed the first site near the 111th Avenue Bridge keeping our fingers crossed that sea grass was still growing there. It had been reported in that vicinity four years ago but had not been confirmed since. GOOD NEWS!! Soon after our survey team donned wet suits, masks, and snorkels, we located an extensive bed of Paddle grass (Halophila decipiens). Observations taken in the field confirm the validity of previous surveys undertaken as a part of the Dunes Permit Application. Future actions to be taken include:
1. contacting the Conservancy, Collier County Environmental Services, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
2. recruiting volunteer divers for upcoming surveys
3. establishing field transects for monitoring of this seagrass bed and others,
4. collecting water quality data at this site. 5. continuing the Cocohatchee River Estuary Guardian's Seagrass Survey at 13 other sites which could potentially have seagrass beds. |
As your Cocohatchee River Estuary Guardian, I would like to thank:
1. Joe Moreland for coordinating with the Eagle Ray Dive Club
2. Steve F. for volunteering as a diver
3. Peter Franck and Jack Kindsvater for volunteering their boats for transporting the Seagrass Survey Team.
4. Butch Yurasevich for crewing on the Guardian and Helping to locate the Northern Boundary of the 111th Ave Bridge Seagrass Bed
5. John Ross for Driving The Guardian and Monitoring Safety at The Site
6. Dr. John Fitch and Jean Hershey Fitch For Performing Kayak Reconnaissance of Extremely Shallow Areas.
In conclusion, my first Seagrass Survey of The Cocohatchee was very thrilling, and I look forward to working with this team and additional volunteers in the future to protect the seagrass ecosystems which enhance the quality of your Cocohatchee Outstanding Florida Water. I invite everyone in the community to participate in this exciting team effort through volunteering to be a member of the "Guardian Seagrass Survey Team". |
