Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

What is the purpose of the program?

The commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute provides timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage Florida's fish and wildlife resources.

What are the services provided by the program?

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute serves as the primary source of research and technical information on the status of Florida's fish and wildlife resources. Additional functions include
  • developing restoration techniques for habitat and enhancement of plant and animal populations;
  • identifying and monitoring harmful algal blooms, including red tides, evaluating their impacts, and providing technical support concerning state and local public health concerns;
  • monitoring the status and health of marine life, freshwater aquatic life, and wild animal life species and their habitat;
  • providing science-based assessments of fish and wildlife resources to the commission and others that regulate and manage the state's natural resources; and
  • responding to and providing critical technical support for catastrophes including oil spills, major species die-offs, and natural disasters.

What is red tide?

In Florida, red tide is caused by a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like organisms) known as Karenia brevis. This organism produces toxins that are capable of killing fish, birds, and other marine animals. This organism is found mostly in the Gulf of Mexico, but also has been found off the east coast of Florida. Commission staff monitors coastal waters for red tide and other harmful algae and conducts research on harmful algae including developing and testing new detection technologies and assessing red tide's effects on fisheries. The commission reported completing 940,185 red tide and aquatic health assessments and communications to stakeholders in Fiscal Year 2019-20.

What are the institute's fisheries research activities?

Commission staff collects catch and effort information from commercial and recreational anglers. The institute also conducts biological research on age, growth, genetic identification, and reproduction of fishery species. The commission reported conducting approximately 3 million fisheries assessment and data summaries in Fiscal Year 2019-20.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2021-22
Title Fund Dollars Positions
PROGRAM: RESEARCH
FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
83,820,258
341.00
TOTAL
83,820,258
341.00

Updates

Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring. The 2020 Statewide Nesting Beach Survey documented 105,185 loggerhead nests, 26,656 green turtle nests, 1,652 leatherback nests, and 11 confirmed Kemp’s Ridley nests through its network of nearly 2,500 volunteers and partners. Loggerhead nest numbers have fluctuated greatly in the last 30 years, while green turtle and leatherback nest numbers have increased exponentially. However, while green turtle nest numbers continue to rise, leatherback nest numbers reached a peak in 2014 followed by a steep decline (2015-2017) and an increase (2018-2020). Last year, the commission coordinated the collection of sea turtle nesting data on 840 miles of beach.

Manatee Mortality. The commission continues to investigate a high level of manatee mortality and respond to manatee rescues along the Atlantic coast of Florida. Preliminary commission reports for Brevard County show 304 manatee deaths from January 1, 2021 to May 28, 2021 compared to 173 manatee deaths for calendar year 2020. Manatee deaths reported for Broward County have also increased this year.

The Working Group on Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events has declared and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has confirmed these manatee mortalities as an Unusual Mortality Event requiring immediate response. The commission is working with federal partners to conduct analyses on the cause of the event. Preliminary information indicates that declines in food availability, seagrass, is the primary factor in this event.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Websites of Interest
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Inspector General
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Research Publications
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Strategic Plan
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Performance Information


Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Chapter 379 and s. 20.331, Florida Statutes.

Whom do I contact for help?

Gil McRae, Director, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute,727-896-8627, email:  gil.mcrae@myfwc.com

Website