EBAP assisted a researcher and interns from Mote Marine Laboratory in their collection of seagrass samples from Estero Bay. These samples will be used to study the genetic distribution of seagrasses and to determine experimentally if any genotypes are more resilient to various stressors than others.

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.