"All it takes is a look underwater to understand why these two aquatic preserves are located in Florida's most densely-urbanized county. The abundant, diverse aquatic resources must have been a key attraction to early settlers."

Randy Runnels, Aquatic Preserve Manager

Location:

Pinellas County

Acreage:

350,000 acres of sovereign submerged lands

Contact:

Randy Runnels, Manager
Tampa Bay Aquatic Preserves
130 77th Street East
Terra Ceia, FL 34250
 
Randy.Runnels@dep.state.fl.us

Download a fact sheet. (pdf - 923 KB)

• The preserves include nearshore habitats along sandy beaches and mangrove dominated shorelines.
   
• Submerged habitats include oyster bars, seagrass beds, coral communities and springfed caves.
   
• Abundant islands, including those formed from dredge spoil material, are also part of the preserve.
   
• Approximately 1/3 of Florida's coral species can be found in the Pinellas County Aquatic Preserve.