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Comprised of about 65 employees, the Freshwater Fisheries Research section at the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute is currently conducting about 50 different research and monitoring projects to inform stakeholders and management partners from various sections, divisions, agencies, and institutions.
Our Freshwater Fisheries Research website area has recently been fully updated and includes information on our individual areas of study including our freshwater invertebrate program, trends in fisheries and habitat from long-term monitoring programs, conservation genetics, stock enhancement evaluations, threatened and imperiled species critical data gaps investigations, directed sport fish research, and more. While far from finished, this section contains numerous new and updated articles on our active research and will continue to grow. Explore this area today and remember to check in from time to time to look for more updates.
 #ICYMI Biologists have been hard at work restoring seagrass in Tampa Bay!
Since 2022, about 2,000 nursery-grown turtle grass plants have been outplanted and monitored as part of a new restoration technique.
See how it all started in our video Replenishing Seagrass from Seedlings, available on our YouTube channel. And check out the post below for an update!
 We like the way you move, manatee.
Did you know manatees have a few tricks for getting around in shallow water?
When the water gets shallow, manatees may use their pectoral flippers to “pec walk” along the bottom or even barrel roll to help reach vegetation near shore or make their way back to deeper water.
 2026 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Update
We may have a new loggerhead nesting record in Florida!
Loggerheads have reached a preliminary 136,972 nests statewide as of August 31, already exceeding the previous annual record of 134,930 nests set in 2023. These numbers are still preliminary and will need to be verified before we can officially call 2026 a new record year, but it’s an exciting milestone!
 Video Spotlight: Fish Sedation Research
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working together to study the effectiveness of eugenol as a fish sedative for aquaculture and fisheries management. Sedating fish, like Red Drum and Florida Bass prior to stressful procedures like net capture, sorting, and transport greatly reduces stress and improves the health of hatchery fish released into public waters. The goal of this research is to gain FDA-approval for immediate release of fish after sedative exposure.
 Publication Spotlight: Lead Exposure Raises Concerns for South Florida's American Crocodiles
Lead pollution poses a threat to ecosystems around the world. A new study documents the first apparent case of lead poisoning contributing to the death of an American crocodile in Florida.
Photo credit: Joseph Ricketts
New on MyFWC.com/Research
We hope you enjoy these articles that have been recently added/updated on our website:
Red Tide Current Status
Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources
2026 Manatee Mortalities
Annual Rescue Summaries [Manatee]
New Publications
American Crocodile Contaminant Monitoring
Commercial Wholesale and Retail Dealers
Our Mission
Through effective research and technical knowledge, we provide
timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage
Florida's fish and wildlife resources.
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