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St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve Management Programs Quick Topics

Management activities at Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserves have been discontinued as of July 1, 2011.

Although the aquatic preserves will remain designated, all coastal education and resource monitoring programs at closed locations have been eliminated. The Central Panhandle Aquatic Preserves office serves three aquatic preserves: Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve, Apalachicola Bay Aquatic Preserve and St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve. These areas are no longer actively managed and the resource management, research and monitoring, and outreach and education programs at these aquatic preserves has ended. Permit review by DEP regulatory offices will still be active through the Northwest District office.

Although seven aquatic preserve offices remain open, it is not possible for the remaining staff to absorb the closed programs into the organizational structure.

The following pages describe former management programs which will be restarted should revenue streams improve.

Researcher in a lab

Staff analyze seagrass samples to determine their health.

  • Ecosystem Science

    Ensures science-based management by providing resource mapping, modeling, monitoring, research and scientific oversight. This enables decision-makers to more effectively prioritize restoration and resource protection goals.
Posts in a marsh
  • Resource Management

    Addresses how the St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve and its resources are managed. Resource management is physically done on the resources for which the preserve has direct management responsibility, and by influencing the activities of others within and adjacent to the area and to its watershed.
Sea turtle Nesting Area sign
  • Education and Outreach

    The essential tools to increase public awareness and promote informed stewardship by local communities. Includes both on and off-site education and training activities.
Seagrass Scarring

Well-marked channels can help prevent seagrass scarring.

  • Public Use

    Public use management focuses on providing public recreational opportunities which are compatible with resource management objectives.
Vehicle tracks on sand dunes

Beach erosion threatens one of the most important resources for people and wildlife.

  • Issues

    The St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve management efforts have been in direct response to its local issues. Issues based management is a means through which any number of partners may become involved in addressing an issue.
Management plan cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated: July 01, 2011

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