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Celebrate Seagrass Awareness Month

Florida waters contain the largest sea grass meadow in

the world. Approximately 2.2 million acres of seagrass

beds have been mapped in nearshore Florida waters, but

the total area of seagrasses in our state's coastal waters

is declining. This extremely valuable resource provides

ecological services worth over $40 billion each year.

Seagrass is important in providing many functions that

contribute to a healthy marine ecosystem.

Florida is a world renowned fishing destination, and

many economically important commercial and

recreational fish and shellfish species depend on healthly

seagrass beds for critical stages of their life cycle.

Recreational fishing activity injected more than $4.5

billion into Florida communities in the form of retail

sales, employment compensation and business earnings

in 2006.

Unfortunately, seagrass beds are susceptible to injuries

such as boat propeller scaring and vessel groundings.

Florida has nearly one million registered boats, and

boating activities can severely impact or completely wipe

out localized seagrass meadows. Resource managers,

scientists, and private industry consultants work

together to restore damaged areas and investigate new

seagrass restoration products and methods. Coastal

eutrophication, the process by which water is depleted

of oxygen due to overgrowth of competing smaller

plants, impacts sea grass as well. Eutrophication is a

major concern among leading marine and estuarine

scientists because murky water limits sunlight which

slows seagrass growth. Major efforts to improve and

restore water quality have resulted in seagrass

expansion in some Florida estuaries.

In an effort to protect and conserve this invaluable habitat, resource managers and scientists throughout

Florida have been conducting intensive seagrass monitoring and mapping programs. In 2009, a total of 34

seagrass monitoring programs were indentified throughout the state. March is set aside to educate

residents, visitors, and all Florida boaters about the threats facing our vital seagrass meadows. Please join

Governor Rick Scott in acknowledging the 10th annual Seagrass Awareness Month.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's

Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA) is

responsible for the State's 41 aquatic preserves. It is the

mission of CAMA to protect, enhance, and restore the

natural habitats and resources of nearly 2 million acres

of submerged lands. CAMA is helping to protect

seagrasses by mapping and monitoring existing

seagrass communities, posting signs to advise boaters

of the presence of seagrasses, informing the public of

the benefits of sea grass and developing restoration

plans with other agencies.

Learn More About Seagrasses

Seagrass Awareness Month Proclamation (pdf -

369 KB)

To Other CAMA Articles

Back to Home Page

Scallops are among the numerous species of wildlife

that utilize seagrass as shelter or food.

Celebrate Seagrass Awareness Month Page 1 of 2

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/news/articles/2011/1103_Seagrass.htm 11/29/2011
Last updated: March 23, 2011

3900 Commonwealth Boulevard M.S. 235 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 850-245-2094 (phone) / 850-245-2110 (fax)

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Celebrate Seagrass Awareness Month Page 2 of 2

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/news/articles/2011/1103_Seagrass.htm 11/29/2011