The Florida Beaches Habitat Conservation Plan (FBHCP) is making great strides to reduce negative impacts to Florida’s listed coastal species. In its 10th year of development, the FBHCP is in the final phase before being submitted for review and approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The FWC has partnered with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to develop the FBHCP, which is the first of its kind and covers 825 miles of sandy beaches in Florida.

The FBHCP will bring the State of Florida into full compliance with the Endangered Species Act by ensuring that impacts to listed species resulting from authorized legal activities are minimized and mitigated to the maximum extent practicable. This is necessary because the FDEP’s Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) Program issues permits for activities that have the potential to incidentally impact (or “take”) federally protected species and the coastal habitats upon which they depend. Therefore, the FDEP is applying to the USFWS for an Incidental Take Permit (ITP), which requires a habitat conservation plan that outlines how to minimize and mitigate the impacts from these permitted activities.

Some benefits of the Florida Beaches Habitat Conservation Plan:

• Promotes and improves healthy beaches for wildlife
• Ensures compliance with the Endangered Species Act
• Minimizes risk from potential third-party lawsuits
• Reduces risk of unauthorized take
• Addresses impacts comprehensively, rather than parcel by parcel
• Develops standard environmental protection measures
• Streamlines the permitting process and limits the need for individual ITPs
• Provides a clear/concise roadmap for conducting CCCL activities                               

The planning process was formally initiated in 2007 and is projected to be completed by late 2018. Its development is being funded by Habitat Conservation Planning Assistance Grants, with over $8 million received from the USFWS. Stakeholder involvement and broad support for the plan is not only desirable, but essential to the overall success of the FBHCP and the long-term viability of some of Florida’s coastal natural resources. Stakeholders are encouraged to call in or attend the quarterly Steering Committee meetings. The next meeting is planned for November 14-15. For more information on the FBHCP, visit http://www.flbeacheshcp.com/.

CONTACT 

Jennifer L. McGee, Ph.D.

Statewide Coordinator—Florida Beaches Habitat Conservation Plan

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Jennifer.McGee@MyFWC.com

850-921-1023

The featured project for this edition is the in-water posting of the FWC’s new Critical Wildlife Areas. CWAs are discrete areas that are posted as closed to public access in order to protect concentrations of vulnerable wildlife from human disturbance. Closure periods and buffer distances are designed to provide wildlife at each location with the space needed to successfully roost, feed, nest, and rear young. CWAs are established by the FWC, with landowner concurrence, under Florida Administrative Code. After the FWC’s ambitious effort in 2016 to establish new CWAs, there are now 32 CWAs throughout Florida.

Currently, FWC staff are completing the permitting and contracting phase of this project to install in-water signs at 14 of the new CWAs. These “closed to public access” markers are enforceable by the FWC and local law enforcement, and they will buffer wildlife from human-related disturbances. Buffers at CWAs typically range from 50 – 300 feet from the shoreline. Some sites are closed to public access year-round, while others are closed seasonally. Popular activities like wildlife viewing, photography and fishing will continue to be enjoyed, but at a distance that will allow wildlife to rest, forage and nest productively.

The American horseshoe crab is a common sight on Florida's beaches, especially during the spring and fall. Horseshoe crabs are known for their large nesting aggregations, or groups, on beaches all along the east coast of the United States. In Florida, horseshoe crabs can nest year-round, with peak spawning occurring in the spring and fall. When mating, the smaller male crab attaches himself to the top of the larger female’s shell by using his specialized front claws, and together they crawl to the beach. The attached pair bury themselves in the sand and the male fertilizes the eggs as the female lays them in the nest. Some males (called satellite males) do not attach to females but still have success in fertilizing the female's eggs as they crowd around the attached pair. Most of this nesting activity takes place during high tides around the time of a new or full moon.

What you can do:

• If you observe horseshoe crabs spawning in Florida (two or more connected together), please report this information to the FWC by filling out the online survey where you can input the information directly, email horseshoe@MyFWC.com, or call 866-252-9326. These observations will help biologists gain a better understanding of where and when horseshoe crabs are spawning in Florida.
• Consider joining the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch citizen science program, in which trained volunteers assist biologists in surveying, tagging and resighting Florida’s nesting horseshoe crab populations utilizing a standardized scientific protocol.
• If you see a horseshoe crab upside-down, you can help it out by picking it up by both sides of its shell, turning it over and releasing it in the water. Usually they can turn themselves over with their telson (tail), but sometimes they get overturned by high wave action during spawning and may not be able to right themselves, which can lead to death. Never pick up a horseshoe crab by its tail, as it can harm the animal.
• If you observe inappropriate harvest of horseshoe crabs (use of gear other than by hand or gig or harvest of more than 100 horseshoe crabs in one day), report it to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert line at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text Tip@MyFWC.com.
• When considering options for shoreline stabilization for your property, avoid seawalls and other types of development that can disrupt the horseshoe crab's reproductive activities.

1. What is your title? Biological Scientist IV (technically) but I often tell non-agency folks that I’m the Marine/Estuarine Habitat Coordinator for the Indian River Lagoon as it’s more descriptive.
2. What organization do you work for? FWC, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration Section, Marine/Estuarine Subsection (MESS!)
3. What type of work do you do? I focus on the conservation and restoration of aquatic habitats including saltmarshes, mangroves, seagrasses, tidal riverine wetlands, oysters and coral reefs. This involves partnering with numerous entities, representing the agency on regional matters affecting species and habitats, and often securing grant funds and managing contracts to complete projects to improve or create habitats.
4. What project(s) have you recently been working on? As a result of a long partnership with numerous agencies and other entities including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Coastal Habitat grant program, we recently restored 5 acres of saltmarsh on FWC property in New Smyrna Beach. The site is high profile and attracts numerous visitors, especially to the non-profit partner (Marine Discovery Center) conducting various programs on the site. As part of the project, we created a shoreline stabilization demonstration area for waterfront landowners to learn about alternatives for securing erosion, including the use of Living Shorelines concepts. Plants grown in the marsh are used for regional restoration projects. Working in south Florida, our agency is strategically focused on the Everglades. One aspect of this large-scale restoration is developing performance measures and monitoring key features which define success. Through a partnership with Florida Atlantic University, we are monitoring the effects of Everglades restoration on coral stress, as it relates to freshwater releases through St. Lucie Inlet. This project has become increasingly important because of a recent coral disease outbreak along the Florida Reef Tract.
5. How does your work relate to the CWCI? The work accomplished by MESS relates strongly to the CWCI mission. Both programs focus on coastal species and habitats. We partner to conserve them as much as possible, often acting as subject matter experts to inform coastal issues and projects. The MESS program also works especially to improve the habitats, through restoration or enhancement, which benefits the species.
6. How long have you been working in the coastal environment, and what are some lessons you have learned? I’ve worked in coastal east-central Florida for more than 25 years, including graduate school at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. I’ve learned that there are many things we know about the coastal zone (as proved by my office bursting with reports) but have enjoyed discovering new things that make me wonder how much we truly understand about these dynamic systems. They are surprisingly resilient in some ways and surprisingly vulnerable in others. I’ve also embraced the need to continually update my personal knowledge of species and habitats, often learning from the experiences of colleagues. Frankly, most of what I know was forced learning on the job.  School prepared me with a foundation for constant learning and application. The job can get frustrating at times, but something will grab my attention that I’ve never learned before and I’m transported back to wonderland. 
7. What do you think is the greatest threat to coastal ecosystems, and what action(s) should be undertaken to address it? Over-development is the greatest threat to our coasts. The passage of major storms is a poignant reminder that these habitats are dynamic, wild and fragile and that we cannot truly control or tame them. We must be realistic about our ability to maintain infrastructure while also being cognizant of the many great benefits provided by green space and natural areas in the coastal zone. Conservation and restoration of coastal habitats not only makes sense for the species we hope to protect, they make sense on myriad levels including economically. 
8. What is your favorite coastal animal, and why? I’m a fish guy by trade and experience. I’ve always been fascinated by them, and east-central Florida is a fish lovers paradise with nearly 800 species to study. One fish in particular caught my attention while working my first job in the field: the orange spotted goby (Nes longus). Each one lives commensally in a burrow maintained by a snapping shrimp. The fish perches in front of the burrow and warns the shrimp of danger using fin movements … guard duty in exchange for free housing … inter-phyla cohabitation. My mentor and I discovered the first recorded specimen in Indian River Lagoon years ago and I still recall vividly the fascinating moment it happened. This story reminds me that partnering done right leads to mutual benefit.
9. Do you have a message you would like to share with readers of this newsletter? Coastal areas provide numerous benefits to us, some of which are behind the scenes that we might take for granted. They filter water to our aquifers, provide habitat for recreationally and commercially important species, house rare and imperiled species, cycle nutrients to improve our water quality, produce oxygen for us to breathe, and take the brunt of storms while protecting private property. There’s one additional benefit that I hope we won’t forget: they provide peace and solace and an opportunity for reflection, recharge, and awe … if we’ll carve out time to allow them to inspire us.  I’ve rarely been moved to peace, tranquility, and contentment by the manmade, but perhaps that’s just me. 

NOTE: Jeff just received the prestigious 2017 Melissa Laser Fish Habitat Conservation Award from the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership for working tirelessly on estuarine habitat restoration and conservation for the FWC for over a decade and finding innovative ways to initiate fish habitat projects.

This fall’s Critter of the Quarter is the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris), which begins migrating in November to warm water areas that are necessary to survive the colder weather of the winter. In warmer months some Florida manatees may travel outside of peninsular Florida, however Florida is the northern end of its winter range. A system of warm-water refuges, including natural springs, power-plant outflows, and passive thermal basins provide shelter in cold weather.

Adults are typically 9-10 feet long and weigh around 1,100 pounds. They have two flippers that they use to help steer themselves through the water and a paddle-shaped tail that they use to propel themselves forward. They are mammals, so they have fine hairs all over their body and breathe air. They are in the family Sirenian, which includes other species of manatees, the dugong and the extinct Stellar’s sea cow. Their closest relatives on land are the elephant and the hyrax. Manatees are herbivores and eat over 60 species of freshwater and marine vegetation, although seagrass is a dietary staple. They reach sexual maturity at 3 to 7 years, and their gestation is approximately 13 months. A calf may stay with its mother for up to two years or more. 

Threats to manatees include watercraft-related mortality and injuries, entanglement, and long-term loss of warm-water habitats. Human-related mortality and rescues underscore the conservation reliance of the species—meaning that threats cannot be eliminated, but only managed. Sound conservation practices and strong public stewardship are needed to sustain the species and reduce human-related threats. Your actions matter! When on the water, looking out for manatees, complying with posted speed zones, and properly disposing of fishing line and other waste are important ways to make a difference and could even save a life.