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Aquatic Preserves

Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve

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Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve is in east-central Florida in southern Volusia County south of Ponce de Leon Inlet. It is adjacent to two incorporated municipalities — New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater — and 50 miles northeast of Orlando. It is bounded on the west by the Florida mainland and on the east by a chain of barrier islands.

History

The original Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve boundaries included 28 miles (45 km) of Mosquito Lagoon and encompassed approximately 39,000 acres (158 km2). During the 1960s and again in 1980, much of the submerged bottom was conveyed to the United States of America for development of the U.S. space program at Cape Canaveral and the expansion of Canaveral National Seashore. On July 31, 1962, the state dedicated, “… to the exclusive use of the United States all of the land, beach, and water areas ... for so long a period of time as the same may be used or required by the United States for the Manned Lunar Landing Program.” This dedication included the southern part of Mosquito Lagoon, the northern end of Merritt Island and the northern end of the Banana River. 

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Opportunities 

Volunteers help with activities such as wildlife monitoring, annual seagrass monitoring or microplastic sampling. For more information, please contact our office at IRLAP@FloridaDEP.gov. For other opportunities to help preserve the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding aquatic preserves, consider joining the Friends of the Spoil Islands.

The Island Enhancement Program offers volunteer opportunities within the preserve. This program engages volunteers in various activities, including removing non-native vegetation, planting native species, restoring shorelines and cleaning up trash on the islands. The preserve also collaborates with partners like The Nature Conservancy and the University of Central Florida to recruit volunteers for oyster restoration.

Events

Please contact us at IRLAP@FloridaDEP.gov.

Educational Opportunities

  • Canaveral National Seashore - offers educational opportunities such as a visitor information center, guided tours and a field station used by researchers and students.
  • Apollo Beach Visitor Center
Scientific Information

The adjacent barrier island and uplands are rich with pre-Columbian archaeological sites. The most well-known historical site near the Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve is Turtle Mound, which is the largest shell midden on the east coast of Florida.

Over many years, the Mosquito Lagoon basin has been submerged by seawater and exposed as dry land due to changes in sea level. This created alternating layers of marine and terrestrial sediment. The barrier island complex around Mosquito Lagoon, formed over an estimated 240,000 years, is the result of changes in sea level. The east coast of Florida is comprised of eroded dune lines, marine terraces and the current barrier islands. Flat plains, like those found near Mosquito Lagoon, emerged as the sea level receded. Dune ridges, such as the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, formed on the lowest terrace in the area, known as the Silver Bluff Terrace. 

Mosquito Lagoon supports red and black mangrove habitat, low marsh and high marsh habitats, extensive oyster bars and mud flats.

Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Type
Aquatic preserves

Invertebrates
Oysters, horseshoe crab

Nesting and Migrating Birds
Wading birds, sea birds, and shore birds

Mammals
Resident population of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins; manatees, bobcat, river otter, racoon 

Reptiles
Atlantic salt marsh snake, terrapin, sea turtle

Fish
Redfish, spotted sea trout, snook, mullet

Other Species
Seagrass; red, black and white mangroves; marsh grass

Conservation Efforts

Conservation efforts include protecting bird nesting area, planting mangroves, oyster reef restoration, seagrass restoration and shorebird and seabird research. These research efforts aim to understand the dynamics of the preserve's ecosystem, assess the health of key species and inform management decisions. 

Ongoing Research

  • Water Quality Monitoring: Volusia County monitors water quality at three sites within the preserve. These efforts collect data on various parameters, including salinity, turbidity and nutrient levels.
  • Avian Surveys: The preserve conducts surveys to document bird activity, identify essential nesting and roosting habitats and inform habitat protection and restoration efforts.
  • Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program: This program, conducted by the Florida Marine Research Institute, tracks the abundance and distribution of juvenile fish and macrocrustaceans using seine nets.
  • Oyster Reef Mapping: Mapping of existing oyster reefs is ongoing in the southern to middle portions of Mosquito Lagoon, with a recognized need to extend those efforts further north into the preserve.
  • Seagrass Monitoring: Monitoring is conducted in collaboration with the St. Johns River Water Management District.
  • Invasive Species Monitoring: The preserve is working to document the abundance and distribution of invasive species, such as the Charru mussel, to understand their impact on the ecosystem. 
Frequently Asked Questions

Year-round

  • Canaveral National Seashore - offers educational opportunities such as a visitor information center, guided tours and a field station used by researchers and students.
  • Apollo Beach Visitor Center

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. Donations are accepted through Friends of the Spoil Islands.

Contact the office staff and request a volunteer packet.

Partner Groups

  • Friends of the Spoil Islands
  • Marine Discovery Center
  • Riverside Conservancy
  • St. Johns River Water Management District: Collaborates on seagrass surveys and wetland restoration projects.
  • Volusia County Mosquito Control: Partners in wetland restoration efforts and research.
  • Canaveral National Seashore: Manages a portion of Mosquito Lagoon and conducts research and monitoring activities within the area.
  • Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge: Participates in restoration efforts.
  • University of Central Florida: Conducts research on oyster reef restoration and marsh vegetation recovery.
  • The Nature Conservancy: Leads oyster restoration initiatives.
  • Fish and Wildlife Research Institute: Conducts the Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program.
  • Coastal Preserves Alliance of East Central Florida: A citizen support organization that provides funding for research and management, as well as volunteers.