Seagrasses are grass-like flowering plants that live completely submerged in marine and estuarine waters. Although seagrasses occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, they are most abundant in Florida Bay and from Tarpon Springs northward to Apalachee Bay in the Gulf of America, which are two of the most extensive seagrass beds in continental North America.

Florida Statutes for the establishment and protection of the Florida Aquatic Preserves.

Florida is often called the boating capital of the nation, with more than 930,000 registered vessels. Florida’s numerous natural resources such as mangroves, seagrasses, estuaries and coral reefs are a major draw for resident and visiting boaters alike. Outdoor activities associated with boating such as birding, fishing, swimming, snorkeling and diving contribute to Florida’s growing economy.  

From world-class fishing, diving and snorkeling to the famed ocean-inspired cuisine, Southeast Florida’s marine finfish and shellfish industries are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Florida’s reef ecosystem is home to hundreds of different species of fish and other animals such as shrimp, crabs, sharks and lobster.  

Click the link below to view responsible fishing practices.

Diving and snorkeling are some of the best ways to visit Florida’s Coral Reef by coming face-to-face with the abundance of marine life. Unfortunately, these types of activities can cause physical damage to coral reefs. Click the link below to view responsible practices for snorkeling and diving at coral reefs.

The SEACAR Data Discovery site serves as the foundation of SEACAR’s products. It is user-friendly, uniform, and includes data for all five habitats in one database. Environmental data in the database is linked to spatial data, contributing program information, protocols and logos.