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Aquatic Preserves

Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve

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The Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve is a diverse aquatic preserve combining freshwater and saltwater. This aquatic preserve encompasses large portions of Lake Tarpon and Lake Seminole, as well as other freshwater bodies. Major estuarine basins include the Anclote River, St. Joseph Sound, Clearwater Harbor, Boca Ciega Bay, southwestern Tampa Bay, Riviera Bay, Feather Sound and the western side of Old Tampa Bay.

Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve includes all the state-owned submerged land within the boundary of Pinellas County. The preserve extends 9 miles into the Gulf of America and follows the county line in Tampa Bay. The aquatic preserve extends 1,000 feet southward from the southernmost tip of the county at Fort DeSoto. The statutory description of this preserve includes state-owned submerged land in freshwater bodies, as well as state-owned islands.

 

History

By the late 1960s, there was a growing movement to protect coastal resources in Pinellas County. In 1969, the Florida Legislature created the Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve. Then, in 1972, legislation was passed to protect the remaining submerged lands of the county through Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve. This aquatic preserve extends the environmental protections provided by the Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve to the rest of the county's waters. The Aquatic Preserve Act of 1975 expanded these protections statewide, establishing other aquatic preserves. Today, Pinellas County is Florida's most urbanized county, but conservation and resource management are still important. A variety of national, state and local agencies and organizations have created a network of "habitat islands" in Pinellas County.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Opportunities 

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

Events

  • Keep Pinellas Beautiful shoreline and beach cleanups

Educational Opportunities

Pinellas County offers excellent interpretive centers at Weedon Island Preserve and Brooker Creek Preserve. Staff are available for outreach and presentations upon request.

Scientific Information

The waters and shoreline of the preserve include pre-Columbian archaeological resources, historic bridges and shipwrecks. These resources are not publicly available in order to safeguard them from looting and vandalism.

Pinellas County sits atop a complex series of limestone layers whose geological history contributes to the overall history of the carbonate Florida Shelf. Much of the geology of Pinellas County consists of undifferentiated sediments, including clays, sands and shell beds. Sea level changes eroded levels of this limestone and left eroded platforms. Learn more about the types of limestone, formations, depths and ridges that make up the outcrops of the management plan. 

Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve boasts a diverse ecosystem with various habitats, including nearshore areas along sandy beaches and mangrove-dominated shorelines. Submerged habitats consist of oyster bars, seagrass beds, coral communities and spring-fed caves. The preserve is also home to abundant islands, both naturally occurring and those formed from dredge spoil material. This wide array of habitats supports a rich diversity of wildlife, including nearly 200 species of fish and over 250 species of birds. About one-third of Florida's coral species can be found in this aquatic preserve.

Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Types
Seagrass beds, oyster reef, open sand bottom, mangrove shorelines, islands

Invertebrates
Blue crabs and sea stars

Nesting and Migrating Birds
Diverse colonial waterbirds nest on rookery islands, and ground nesting species nest on barrier islands. Migratory species, including white pelicans and red knots, are present seasonally.

Mammals
The most popular marine mammals in the preserve are the bottlenose dolphin, the West Indian manatee and the river otter.

Reptiles
The American alligator is common in freshwater areas, and the American crocodile has been spotted in the marine waters. Sea turtles are rather common and they often nest on area beaches.

Fish
The preserve provides a 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

Protecting submerged resources such as seagrass beds, coral communities and oyster reefs is essential for maintaining water quality, supporting fisheries and providing habitats for a variety of species. Island restoration efforts enhance biodiversity, create nesting habitats for birds and contribute to the overall health of the coastal ecosystem. These conservation efforts are crucial for maintaining the health and resilience of the preserve's ecosystem in the face of urbanization and other challenges.

Ongoing Research

Research and monitoring are important for understanding the status and trends of the preserve's resources. Many stakeholders and local partnerships have been established to support ongoing research efforts at Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve. Volunteers and interns play an important role in helping preserve staff achieve their management goals. Opportunities for individuals and groups (such as Eagle Scouts, corporate groups, student groups and neighborhood associations) include island restoration projects such as trash removal, non-native plant removal and restoring native plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Year-round

Local ecotour 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.

While boating, abide by the posted slow speed manatee protection zones. 

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 Pinellas County 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. It is a nonprofit organization that was incorporated specifically to help further the goals of Tampa Bay’s four aquatic preserves. 

Partner Groups

  • Friends of Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves: the program’s official citizen support organization.
  • The Aquatic Preserve Society: the statewide citizen support organization for aquatic preserves.
  • Pinellas County Government: manages areas like Shell Key and Weedon Island, providing valuable on-site resources.
  • Florida Park Service: manages large islands adjacent to the preserve, such as Anclote Key, Three Rooker Bar, Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island.
  • Tampa Bay Estuary Program: coordinates seagrass monitoring on the Tampa Bay side of the preserve.
  • Southwest Florida Water Management District: provides aerial imagery for mapping seagrass acreage.
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: provides overall monitoring of manatees and fishes.
  • Audubon Society: Monitors nesting activities on rookery islands.
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: manages the Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge, which protects important bird nesting areas.
  • Keep Pinellas Beautiful: partners in debris removal efforts.
  • Homeowner associations: engage in shoreline restoration and debris removal projects.