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LIFE Program Apalachicola Bay Aquatic Preserve Project Spotlight

"The Apalachicola River, Floodplain, and Bay comprise one of the most biodiverse and productive riverine and estuarine systems in the Northern Hemisphere. The historic natural function and cultural heritage of the surrounding communities remain intact much of the way it has been for generations of commercial fishermen on one of Florida's last working waterfronts. This ecosystem and its people are truly an American Treasure." Dan Tonsmeire, Apalachicola Riverkeeper

Management activities at Northwest Florida Aquatic Preserves have been discontinued as of July 1, 2011. Although the aquatic preserves will remain designated, all coastal education and resource monitoring programs at closed locations have been eliminated. The Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserves office serves three aquatic preserves: Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve, Apalachicola Bay Aquatic Preserve and St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve. These areas are no longer actively managed and the resource management, research and monitoring, and outreach and education programs at these aquatic preserves has ended. Permit review by DEP regulatory offices will still be active through the Northwest District office. Although seven aquatic preserve offices remain open, it is not possible for the remaining staff to absorb the closed programs into the organizational structure. This page describes former management programs which will be restarted should revenue streams improve. 

### Derelict Crab Trap Removal Staff partnered with members of the community to participate in the efforts to remove derelict crab traps from the bay waters each year. These traps are no longer fished, but remain in the water because they have been lost to storms, tides or currents, have deteriorated floats, lines or knots, have been clipped by boat propellers, or have been cut intentionally by vandals. Negative impacts created by derelict traps may include, mortality of blue crabs and bycatch, navigational hazards, user group conflicts, visual pollution and impacts to sensitive habitat.



### Key Accomplishments Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA) staff responsible in both the Aquatic Preserve Program and the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) System worked collaboratively on submerged aquatic vegetation research and monitoring and the best management practices for this habitat in the area. In order to promote use of sustainable resources, staff participated in public events and workshops, including Estuaries Day and Seagrass Awareness Month. These events target youth from local schools. Staff coordinated with a local elementary school to give regular presentations on the important resources in the surrounding bay systems.

Quick Facts about Apalachicola Bay Aquatic Preserve 

## Apalachicola Bay Aquatic Preserve http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/apalachicola-ap/

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### Location:
Franklin and Gulf counties 

### Acreage: 80,000 acres of sovereign submerged lands


### Contact: Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 235 Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000 (850) 245-2094 FloridaCoasts@dep.state.fl.us Download a printable version of this page. Apalachicola Bay Aquatic Preserve Management Plan Oystermen

Shoreline of the Apalachicola Bay

Rainbow over the bay Apalachicola Bay is one of the most productive estuarine systems in the Northern hemisphere as a result of the overall good water quality.

Apalachicola Bay is an exceptionally important nursery area for the Gulf of Mexico.

Over 95% of all species harvested commercially and 85% of all species harvested recreationally in the open Gulf have to spend a portion of their life in estuarine waters. Blue crabs, for example, migrate as much as 300 miles to spawn in Apalachicola Bay.

Apalachicola Bay is a major forage area for such offshore fish species as gag grouper and gray snapper.
The area is a major forage area for migratory birds, in particular for trans-gulf migrants in the spring.

Sunrise over the bay

3900 Commonwealth Boulevard M.S. 235 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 850-245-2094 (phone) / 850-245-2110 (fax) Contact Us DEP Home | About DEP | Contact Us | Search | Site Map 

## Apalachicola Bay Aquatic Preserve http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/apalachicola-ap/

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