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Aquatic Preserves

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve

NEWS     |     RESOURCES     |     CALENDAR

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve is located on Florida's Gulf Coast and spans over 150 miles of coastline, extending from Apalachee Bay southward to the Withlacoochee River. The main communities located along the coastline of the aquatic preserve include Keaton Beach, Steinhatchee, Horseshoe Beach, Suwannee and Cedar Key.

HISTORY

The Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve is the largest aquatic preserve in Florida. Established in 1985, the aquatic preserve spans approximately 984,325 acres. This coastal region is unique for its extensive open waters allowing various rivers, creeks and marshes to flow directly into the Gulf of America. This aquatic preserve's karst geology, marked by porous limestone, creates features like springs, sinks, caverns and underground corridors, with extensive seagrass beds and salt marshes that serve as essential habitats for numerous marine species.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Opportunities

Marine debris cleanups

Events

International Coastal Cleanup each September in Cedar Key

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Archaeological evidence reflects a deep history of indigenous peoples, dependent on coastal resources throughout the Big Bend region. Uncovered artifacts suggest indigenous people engaged in fishing, gathering shellfish and hunting marine mammals. Indigenous peoples crafted large sea-going canoes, some of which may have been capable of navigating offshore waters, as evidence by remnants of tools and remains of wildlife found at inland sites near the preserve. Archaeological sites have yielded artifacts from various periods including pottery, bone tools, shell middens and remnants of village structures.

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve is defined by its unique karst topography, with porous limestone bedrock that supports springs, sinks and underwater caverns. This geology allows fresh and saltwater to mix freely, creating a nutrient-rich environment ideal for one of the largest contiguous seagrass meadows in the Gulf of America. Spanning nearly 984,325 acres, the aquatic preserve’s open coastline promotes extensive freshwater flow into the Gulf of America, fostering biodiversity.

Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Type
Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve features a variety of diverse habitats, including seagrass beds, salt marshes, mangrove islands and oyster reefs. Notably, it is home to the second-largest contiguous seagrass habitat in the eastern Gulf of America. These seagrass beds are crucial habitats for marine species, such as sportfish, invertebrates, shore birds, shellfish and many more.

Nesting and Migrating Birds
Pelicans, ospreys, roseate spoonbills, magnificent frigatebirds, egrets, American oyster catchers, etc.

Mammals
West Indian manatee (an endangered species that relies on seagrass beds) and bottlenose dolphin (found in the Gulf of America)

Reptiles
American alligator, loggerhead sea turtle (threatened species), green sea turtle (threatened species), hawksbill sea turtle (endangered species), Kemp's ridley sea turtle (endangered species), diamondback terrapin

Fish
Gulf sturgeon (threatened species), redfish, sea trout, tarpon, bull sharks, etc.

A full list of species can be found in the management plan. 

Conservation Efforts

  • Water Quality Monitoring: The preserve staff monitors water quality throughout the region through monthly nutrient sampling and long-term, continuous water quality monitoring. As part of their efforts, they collect water samples each month across the region for nutrient analysis. Additionally, in Steinhatchee, they use YSI EXO 2 Sondes to continuously monitor water quality, gathering data on temperature, salinity/conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, depth, turbidity and chlorophyll. Together, these efforts provide valuable insights into the overall health of the ecosystem.
  • Seagrass Monitoring: The preserve staff monitors seagrass and macroalgae at 100 fixed locations each summer, tracking changes in species, coverage and overall health.

        A full list of data and reports can be found on SEACAR.

  • Boater Education: The "Scars Hurt: Be Seagrass Safe" campaign educates boaters about safe boating practices in shallow seagrass areas to prevent damage from propellers.
  • Marine Debris Cleanup: Preserve staff participate in multiple marine debris removal events each year. Removing marine debris like derelict crab traps, which can shade out seagrass, allows for submerged aquatic vegetation such as seagrass and algae to recover.

Ongoing Research

  • The University of Florida: conducts many projects in Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve, out of the NCBS including shellfish aquaculture, living shorelines, fisheries, project TRAP and more.
  • Florida State University: has long term shark monitoring.
  • Fish and Wildlife Research Institute: uses project SIMMS.
  • Suwannee River Water Management District: conducts water quality monitoring.
  • In Water Research Group: conducts sea turtle surveys. 
Frequently Asked Questions

Each season offers wonderful opportunities and activities throughout the aquatic preserve. Spring is great for kayaking and paddling due to mild weather and calm water. Wildlife viewing is also great in late spring when migratory birds start to return to the area. Summer months offer scalloping and snorkeling with warmer waters. Fall brings cooler temperatures making fishing more comfortable while species are still active. Winter offers great viewing of wildlife.

Yes. Aquatic preserves often are adjacent to other conservation areas that may have nesting birds or other easily disturbed wildlife. Please do not let your pet run free in areas not designated for pets, and please pick up after your pet to avoid hazardous pathogens in our coastal waters.

Follow current FWC saltwater fishing regulations.

Follow current FWC boating regulations.

Seagrass is protected within aquatic preserves; avoid shallow waters and raise motor if over seagrass. Damage to seagrass can result in a fine up to $1,000. 

Call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

ADA accommodations are specific to each access point and the managing entity for that site.

There are no fees required by the preserve, but specific access points may charge access fees to those sites. 

Partner Groups

  • University of Florida
  • University of Florida's Insitute of Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)
  • Florida Sea Grant
Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve News
Moon Over the Mounds

Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve (BBSAP) partners with Florida Public Archeological Network (FPAN) on outreach events, most recently participated in Moon Over the Mounds at the Crystal River Archeological State Park, learning about the cultural and historical importance of the area.

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Fieldwork at Keaton Beach

With a short week due to the holiday, Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve was able to get in a day of fieldwork by heading out to Keaton Beach to monitor the seagrass where the 2023 urchin mass grazing event took place. In February 2023, an urchin bloom was reported off the coast of Keaton Beach. Staff began monitoring the urchin front and the seagrass response with monthly surveys.

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Seagrass Season Has Begun

Big Bend kicked off its first day of seagrass surveys last week in Steinhatchee. With heavy rain threatening to brown out many of the sites, the team launched two boats and set out to sample the entire system in one day. Thanks to the help of Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve contractor Morgan Edwards, all 25 sites were completed. It was no easy task, as each site required four replicate quadrats, but the team got it done.

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more stories from our team