Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve

Project Spotlight

"Ft. Pickens is a rare taste of "old Florida" and its undisturbed natural beauty makes it one of my favorite places to visit on the Gulf Coast."

United States Congressman Jeff Miller

Upland dunes in Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve

Management activities at Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve have resumed through the Ecosystem Restoration Section of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Northwest District.

Donor plants

Seagrass Restoration Project

The Northwest Florida Aquatic Preserves office was awarded a Prop Scar Restoration grant from NOAA through the Gulf of Mexico Foundation. A small amount of the seagrass, Halodule was transplanted within the preserve in the eastern portion of Big Lagoon, adjacent to the Gulf Island National Seashore. Educational signs consisting of large maps of the area, showing grass flats, restricted areas, and landmarks were made and placed at local boat ramps.

Continuous Water Quality Monitoring

The NWF Aquatic Preserve office worked with the Gulf Islands National Seashore to maintain a water quality monitoring station near the pass at Ft. Pickens. This station constantly recorded temperature, salinity, water clarity, PH, and dissolved oxygen.

Quick Facts about Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve

Location:

Escambia County

Acreage

30,000 acres of sovereign submerged lands

Contact:

Beth Fugate, Manager
Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas
160 Government Center
Pensacola, FL 32501-5794
(850) 595-0683
Beth.L.Fugate@dep.state.fl.us

USS Massachussetts turret

Fishing for redfish

Redfish fishing inside the preserve

The USS Massachusetts is a protected underwater archaeological site. The USS Massachusetts and the rock jetties in the Pensacola Pass both provide excellent diving and fishing opportunities within the preserve.
Over 280 species of birds have been identified in the aquatic preserve and its adjacent upland areas.
Bottlenose dolphins are often seen in and around the preserve, as well as multitudes of fish and shellfish of all sorts. Ft. Pickens preserve is a benefit to commercial and recreational fishermen. Species such as snapper, mullet, sheephead, flounder, blue crabs, shrimp, and redfish live a portion of their lives within the shallow areas of the preserve. All of these species can be caught by fisherman in the preserve, as well as grouper and mackerel.

Fort Pickens

Last updated: April 15, 2013