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Aquatic Preserves

Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve

NEWS     |     RESOURCES     |     CALENDAR

The boundary of the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve starts at the south end of Port Manatee and extends out into Tampa Bay. The preserve extends as far south as Emerson Point, on the northern bank of the Manatee River. Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve includes several embayments such as Terra Ceia Bay and Bishop Harbor along with tidal creeks like Frog Creek and McMullen Creek.

History

The history of the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve area extends back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence indicates human use dating back to 8,000 B.C., with subsequent aboriginal occupation leading to the creation of shell middens and mounds spanning from 500 B.C. to the late 1400s. Early European explorers, including Narvaez and Desoto, encountered several indigenous groups inhabiting the Tampa Bay region, including the Tocobaga, Pooy, Uzita, Yagua and Neguarete Indians. By the mid-1700s, the native population had been decimated, and the Tampa Bay area became a hunting ground for the Seminoles who had migrated from Georgia and Alabama. Cuban fishermen also utilized the shoreline around Tampa Bay to establish seasonal camps, though their primary activities were centered around Charlotte Harbor. Eventually, the area became more heavily populated, leading to the establishment of the preserve in 1986.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Opportunities 

Many organizations have volunteer activities in the preserve. Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve's activities are coordinated by their citizen support organization, the Friends of Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves.

Educational Opportunities

Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve staff engages in educational outreach, focusing on raising awareness about the importance of resource protection and responsible use of the preserve. This outreach extends to homeowners, visitors, law enforcement and other stakeholders. Staff are available for presentations upon request.

Scientific Information

Terra Ceia has a rich collection of pre-Columbian archaeological sites, with over 80 sites identified along the shore and likely many more underwater sites. The specific locations of sites are not publicly available to protect the area. 

The geomorphological landscape of Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve is a classic karst coastal terrain. Submerged lands and uplands feature relict sinkholes, remnants of earlier periods when lower groundwater levels encouraged active karst processes. These deeper areas may serve as warm water refuge for overwintering fishes. Within the preserve, large areas of exposed limestone from the Arcadia Formation provide attachment areas for numerous hard substrate species. Clastic unconsolidated sediments form productive open bottoms, and where depths and light penetration are appropriate, they support vast seagrass and algal beds.

Surface sediments are composed of fine to very fine quartz sand with varying amounts of organic muds and coarse carbonates, mostly in the form of mollusk shells. A band of phosphate-bearing rock runs parallel to the shore of the preserve. The sand-size sediments in Tampa Bay were likely derived from the major river tributaries during the last rise in sea level.

Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve encompasses a diverse ecosystem, supporting a variety of habitats critical for wildlife. Mangrove communities flourish in the preserve, including all three species of mangroves (red, black and white). Seagrass and algal beds are prevalent throughout the preserve, while salt marshes, though limited, play a vital role in providing a transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The open waters of Tampa Bay, along with the numerous inlet bays and tidally influenced creeks and rivers, contribute to the rich biodiversity found within the preserve.

Nesting and Migrating Birds
Waterbirds are common in the preserve. There are several rookery islands, which should not be disturbed, as disturbances during nesting can cause nesting failure.

Mammals
Raccoons, bobcats, bottlenose dolphin, West Indian manatee and river otters. It is possible to see raccoons, bobcats and other animals along the shores of the preserve.

Reptiles
The American alligator may be found in freshwater areas, and the American Crocodile is occasionally present in marine waters. Sea turtles, especially the green turtle, are fairly common, and a highly endangered Kemps ridley sea turtle has been observed in the preserve.

Fish
The preserve provides habitat for a wide variety of freshwater, estuarine and offshore fish species.

Other Species
Plant life includes seagrass beds, mangrove shorelines and diverse algae species. 

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

Conservation Efforts

Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve works with many partners, including other agencies, nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions, to manage resources in the preserve. Active management activities include establishment of seasonal buffer zones and using informational buoys around rookery islands to protect nesting waterbirds from boating disturbance. 

Ongoing Research

As a relatively undeveloped part of the otherwise urbanized landscape of the Tampa Bay Area, this aquatic preserve can be studied and compared to similar habitats across the bay. The area has a long history of research by scientists from local agencies, organizations and academic institutions. A current initiative by the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve Program is to develop an ongoing, long-term, monitoring strategy for the preserves hardbottom habitat, which has a species-rich community of corals, sponges, algae and other reef-dwelling species. The project includes photographs of bottom habitats, video monitoring of fishes and other nektonic species and complementary water quality measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Year-round, but heat and insects increase in the summer.

Local eco-tour companies offer tours.

Yes, but aquatic preserves often are adjacent to other conservation areas that may have nesting birds or other easily disturbed wildlife. Please ensure your pet remains on a leash in areas not designated for pets, and please pick up after your pet to prevent hazardous pathogens from entering 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 this aquatic preserve, but specific access points may charge access fees to those sites. The Friends of Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves accepts donations toward their goal of supporting preserve management and public outreach/education. 

Contact the Friends of Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserve, a nonprofit organization helping to further the goals of Tampa Bay’s Aquatic Preserves.

Partner Groups

  • Friends of Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves
  • The Aquatic Preserve Society
  • The National Audubon Society
  • Manatee County
  • The Southwest Florida Water Management District
  • The U.S. Geological Survey
  • The Tampa Bay Estuary Program
  • Local landowners and community members who contribute through the advisory committee.