News

Last Chance to Defend Private Beachfront Property Rights!

Escambia County Commissioners will likely vote whether or not to impose Customary Use allowing public use of Perdido Key private beachfront property at their 9:00 AM Thursday February 19, 2026 regular meeting. It only takes three of the five Commissioner votes to implement this invasive measure!

There are two remaining opportunities for Perdido Key beachfront property owners and others to publically defend private property rights against those pushing for Customary Use. Please consider speaking at the following Escambia County Commissioner meetings. Those wishing to speak must sign in prior to the meetings, so plan on arriving at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled beginning of the meetings.

4:30 PM Thursday February 5, 2026 Public Forum

9:00 AM Thursday February 19, 2026 Regular Commissioner Meeting

The meetings are in the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building at 221 Palafox Place close to the corner of Government and Palafox Streets in downtown Pensacola. Paid parking is available at the parking garage on Baylen Street between Government Street and Intendencia Street but also along Government and Baylen Streets. Free parking may be available on Spring Street a block further west of Baylen Street. The meeting is in the large room on the ground floor near where you pass through a security checkpoint and sign-in desk to speak at the meeting. Additional information about Customary Use is available on the PKA website at https://perdidokeyassociation.org.

Text and video from a February 2, 2026 WEAR article/interviews “Escambia commissioners to discuss customary use boundaries on Perdido Key beaches” by Hannah James are available at https://weartv.com/news/local/escambia-commissioners-to-clarify-customary-use-boundaries-on-perdido-key-beaches; District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger, Customary Use advocate Melissa Pino and PKA Director Charles Krupnick were interviewed for the segment.

PKA Annual Membership Meeting

The 2026 PKA Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 10 AM until Noon at the Eden Condominium. The guest speaker will be Escambia County Natural Resources Management Deputy Director Tim Day. Mr. Day has an excellent grasp on the many important issues facing Escambia County in 2026 and our beachfront community in particular. His past appearance at a PKA Annual meeting was very informative and much appreciated. The minutes from the 2025 Annual Membership Meeting will be presented for approval at the meeting and are available for review on the Archive page of the PKA website.

Tree Planting

Escambia County sponsored two recent tree planting events with one focused on Innerarity Point. Many volunteers showed up on Saturday, January 24, 2026 to plant Live Oak, Red Oak, and Little Gem trees on several properties. Instructions on proper planting techniques were provided by a professional tree grower.

FISHING IS FUN – Osprey with catfish catch

“While surf fishing has been slow in west Gulf Shores recently for Jimmy Bell. He recently had a surprise visitor when this adult osprey landed close by, apparently impaled by its intended catfish breakfast and unable to fly farther. Jimmy assisted the bird’s release, which circled a few times before again claiming the prize catch.”

Republished with permission from January 20, 2026 Mullet Wrapper at https://mulletwrapper.net/fishing-is-fun-osprey-with-catfish-catch/. 

New Emergency Room

The Ascension Sacred Heart Emergency Care facility at 13139 Sorrento Rd next to its Perdido area primary care facility opened in early December 2026. “This addition ensures those who live in southwest Escambia County get the timely and quality healthcare they need,” said Sacred Heart Pensacola President & CEO Will Condon. “With our community growing, it is up to us to meet their medical needs and grow with them.” You can reach Ascension Sacred Heart Emergency Care at 850 746-2200. Drawn from the December 3, 2026 Ascension Sacred Heart News Article New Freestanding Emergency Department opens in Perdido Key | Ascension.

Pensacola Growth

The Pensacola metro area (Escambia and Santa Rosa counties) has grown in population by approximately 14% since 2015 to 543,000 residents; it may reach nearly 600,000 by 2035. Among Panhandle tourist destinations, Pensacola underperformed slightly with guest 2025 spending estimated at $1.4 billion while Bay County saw $3.4 billion and Okaloosa County $3.2 billion. For much more on regional economic activity, see the January 15, 2026, Pensacola News Journal article “Pensacola grew but tourists spent less in 2025. What’s ahead for 2026” by Mollye Barrows.

Blue Angels 2026 Schedule

The Blue Angels 2026 Show Schedule is available a U.S. Navy Blue Angels | Show Information. The team will perform at Pensacola Beach on July 18, 2026 with its homecoming show at NAS Pensacola scheduled for November 6-7, 2026.

Florida Legislative Update

Two bills making their way through the Florida Legislature are of concerns to NGO 1000 Friends of Florida: SB 686 – Agricultural Enclaves could “override local comprehensive plans and accelerate development in rural areas…” while SB 840 – Land Use & Development Regulations addresses “some of the most damaging planning impacts of last session’s SB 180, but “could be strengthened.” For more information on these and other legislative issues, join a Friends webinar on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 from 11:00 to Noon CST. For more information, go to Upcoming Webinars – 1000 Friends of Florida. Drawn from January 16 1000 Friends of Florida e-mail.

More Winn-Dixie’s Becoming Aldi

Three Winn-Dixie stores will convert to German-owned Aldi’s but the nearest one to Perdido Key on Sorrento Road will remain a Winn-Dixie. For more on this issue, see the January 13, 2026 Pensacola News Journal article “3 More Pensacola area Winn-Dixie stores to close and convert to Aldi” by Brittany Misencik at Winn-Dixie stores converting to Aldi Pensacola Cantonment, Gulf Breeze.

Drilling Planned for Florida’s Gulf

The Five Year Plan for offshore drilling recently released by the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management includes a large area of the eastern Gulf off the coast of Florida that was previously excluded from oil and gas drilling operations. The plan is part of the current US Administration’s efforts to improve America’s energy independence. Negative reaction to the plan has been immediate including from Governor DeSantis and other public figures while many in the Perdido Key area vividly recall effects from the massive 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. There is a 60 day public comment period on the new plan from November 24, 2025 to January 24, 2026. For more on this issue, see the November 21, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article Oil drilling in Florida Eastern Gulf in Trump plan by Tom McLaughlin.

County Approves Resolution Opposing Oil Drilling in the Gulf

At its December 11, 2025 meeting, Escambia County Commissioners approved a resolution opposing recently published plans by the federal government to allow oil and gas drilling in the eastern Gulf offshore Florida.

Large River Road Development Approved

On December 10, 2025, the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) approved construction of River Road Villas, a multifamily development with 29 multistory buildings on 6.52 acres of open land between River Road, Semmes Road, Garden Glen Drive, and Sweet Retreat Lane (i.e., the Serenity subdivision). Access to the new housing will be from River Road.

Change to Free Days at National Parks

According to the National Park Service, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth holidays have been removed from the 2026 calendar of entrance free days for National Parks, including the Perdido Key Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore (Johnson Beach). June 14 (Flag Day as well as President Donald Trump’s birthday) will now be a free admissions day along with the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service (August 25), Constitution Day (September 17) and President Teddy Roosevelt’s birthday (October 27). For more on this issue, see the December 6, 2025 NPR article National parks’ fee-free calendar drops MLK Day, Juneteenth and adds Trump’s birthday : NPR by Alana Wise.

Accolades for Pensacola, Navarre, and Orange Beaches

Conde Nast Travelers readers selected Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach as number 1 and 2 on the publication’s list of the best beaches in the United States. Orange Beach was tenth on the list. For more on this issue, see the January 6, 2026 Mullet Wrapper article at Mullet Wrapper: Pensacola Beach, Orange Beach on Conde best list in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

Rough Year for Young Manatees

628 manatees died in 2025. This exceeded “the previous two years of 556 in 2024 and 546 in 2023. That still was less than the five-year average of 719 manatee deaths.” 97 deaths were from watercraft and 33 from cold stress while 135 were perinatal (within one year of birth). The referenced article finds reason for hope with Florida’s estimated population in 2021-2022 between 8,350 and 11,730 from estimates of less than half of that a few decades ago. There are also new rehab labs available and additional legal protection, though manatee remain listed as “threatened” rather than the higher category of “endangered.” For more on this issue, see the January 5, 2026 Florida Today article “More than 625 manatees died in 2025 in Florida but year also offered hope” by Jim Waymer at Manatees made mixed news in 2025 in Florida: more deaths, more protection.

Free Course and Lecture on Invasive Species

The University of Florida is offering a free online course that “provides information on invasive plant species identification, treatment approaches, and field safety specifically targeting volunteers and new crew members working with invasive plant management.” To enroll, go to https://ifas-sfrc-for.catalog.instructure.com/courses/invasive-plant-tiered-training—volunteercrew-trainee. Per Rick O’Connor January 23 e-mail.

Rick’ O’Connor will also host the lecture “Invasive Hitchhikers” that ‘introduces the community to potential invasive species threats spread by “hitchhiking” on us around the community.’ The lecture will begin at 10 AM on February 11, 2026 at the Escambia County Extension Office Windstorm Classroom, 3740 Stefani Road. To register contact Rick O’Connor at roc1@ufl.edu (850-475-5230).

Recreational Fishing Presentation

The University of West Florida is hosting a presentation on “Recreational Fishing”
 by Erin Pereira from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The program will be from 9 to 10 AM on February 6, 2026 in Building 76A, Room 102 with zoom option available. Information provided by January 15, 2026 e-mail from Rick O’Connon; contact Rick at roc1@ufl.edu (850-475-5230) for more information.

Master Naturalist Course

Registrations are being accepted for the spring Coastal Florida Master Naturalist Course. Classes will meet on consecutive Tuesdays between March 10 and April 21, 2026 (skip April 14) at several sites in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. “Classes are limited to 20 people and registration ends the morning of March 4. Participants can miss one class and still receive certification.” There are scholarship options available. For more information and registration, go to the following websites: https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/cs26-07inperson.php and https://masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/become-a-master-naturalist/scholarships/

Bear Hunt Results

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), hunters killed 52 black bears during Florida’s 2025 black bear hunt. That is considerably fewer than the 172 harvest permits FWC had issued. For more on this issue, see the December 30, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “FWC releases results of 2025 black bear hunt. How many bears were killed?” by C.A. Bridges at Florida releases results of first black bear hunt in 10 years.

Prescribed Burns at Southwest Sports Complex

Escambia County will be conducting prescribe burns at the Southwest Escambia Sports Complex on January 14 and 15, 2026. “Prescribed burns keep the understory open to allow grasses and other small plants to dominate the landscape. Ash keeps the soil fertile and encourages new plant growth in the spring.” For more on this issue, see the January 9, 2026 Escambia County Newscenter article at Prescribed Burn in Southwest Escambia Sports Complex Jan. 14, 15.

Gulf Shores Pedestrian Bridge

With pedestrian access being removed to allow more traffic lanes on Rt. 59’s W.C. Holmes Bridge crossing the Intracoastal Waterway, the City of Gulf Shores is constructing a pedestrian bridge nearby. Scheduled for completion in spring 2027, “The project will include elevators for bikes/pedestrians, plazas and parking areas on each side, new roads, curbs, and parking areas to improve traffic flow and connectivity for the city’s evolving Waterway Village district.” For more on this issue, see the December 23, 2023 article Mullet Wrapper: G.S. Pedestrian Bridge scheduled for spring of ‘27 completion in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

Pensacola Beach Gateway Improvements

Escambia County will begin the “Pensacola Beach Gateway Improvements Project” in January 2026 to replace the Bob Sikes Toll Plaza on Pensacola Beach and replace it with “a new toll gantry with applicable toll-by-plate equipment, CCTV cameras, and new fiber optic communications.” The new facility “will offer enhanced safety features, such as better access for emergency response vehicles, while also helping to reduce congestion at the entrance to Pensacola Beach.” For more on this issue, go to the December 19, 2025 Escambia County Newscenter article at Pensacola Beach Gateway Improvements Project to Begin January 2026.

Extended Stay Hotel May be Sold

The vacant and decaying Suburban Extended Stay Hotel on Barrancas Ave near Navy Blvd in Warrrington may be sold to Blackhawk Asset Management and reopened as a hotel after renovation. The building has been in disrepair since damaged by Hurricane Sally and has been a site of reported drug use, domestic violence and unauthorized occupation. Escambia County could forgive the accumulated fines of almost $400,000 on the property if the purchase moves forward. “We are just working with the new potential owner to bring redevelopment back to that neighborhood and eliminate a source of blight,” said Escambia County Natural Resources Deputy Director Tim Day. “It either needs substantial renovation, or it needs to come down.” For more on this issue, see the December 11, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “Developer may buy blighted Suburban Extended Stay with goal to reopen” by Mollye Barrows at Suburban Extended Stay in Pensacola gets renewed interest by developer.

Saban a Perdido Beach Resort Owner

Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban has become one of the owners of the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. Perdido Beach Resort opened in 1987 and in August 2025 was named by Southern Living as one of “the South’s best beach resorts.” For more on this issue, see the December 16, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “Nick Saban among investors that acquired Perdido Beach Resort” by Mollye Barrows at Nick Saban joins Perdido Beach Resort Orange Beach ownership group.

Proposed Changes to Endangered Species Act

The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act as part of the administration’s efforts to reduce “burdensome federal regulations for businesses.” One change would eliminate the “blanket rule” that automatically applies endangered species protection to threatened species (species likely to become endangered in the near future); another would change considerations for designating critical habitats for species’ survival. “According to the Endangered Species Coalition, which opposes the proposed rules, hundreds of vulnerable plants and wildlife could be more at risk of extinction if they [the new rules] pass” with iconic Florida sea turtles and manatee among those believed at risk. The Fish & Wildlife Service proposal is open to public comment until December 22, 2025. For more on this issue, see the November 25, 2025 USA Today article “Extinctions ahead? Species that may get less protection in Trump plan” by Kinsey Crowley at Endangered Species Act changes Trump plans, possible extinctions.

SS United States Update

The SS United States remains in Mobile undergoing preparations for sinking within the next few months as an artificial reef. Purchased by Okaloosa County for $10.1 million, current plans will place the ship 22 miles from Destin East Pass. Visit Pensacola may contribute $1.5 million in tourist development taxes so the ship can also be located 32 miles from Pensacola Pass. This could make the SS United States and the already sunk USS Oriskany prime locations for divers. For more on this issue, see the November 20, 2025 Pensacola News Journal article “Visit Pensacola sinks $1.5 million with Okaloosa County to reef SS United States” by Mollye Barrows at SS United States reef partnership with Okaloosa Visit Pensacola.

For Snow Birds at Flora-Bama

As in previous years, the Flora-Bama has scheduled multiple events for visiting Snow Birds during the 2026 winter season. These include the January 8th Beach Bum Party, January 22 Touchdowns & Hometowns, February 5th Mardi Gras Mambo, and February 19th Rock Your Decade. For more information, go to Snowbirds – Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce.

COP30 Climate Accord

The 30th UN sponsored meeting on climate change held in Belem, Brazil concluded with a “compromise climate deal on Nov. 22 that would boost finance for poor nations coping with global warming but that omitted any mention of the fossil fuels driving it.” UN Climate Secretariat (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said: “I’m not saying we’re winning the climate fight. But we are undeniably still in it, and we are fighting back.” For more on this issue, see the November 22, 2025 Reuters article COP30 seals uneasy climate deal that sidesteps fossil fuels | Reuters by Lisandra Paraguassu, Kate Abnett, William James and Sudarshan Varadhan.

Awards from PPBEP

The Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) announced its 2025 Annual Awards at the organization’s October Evening for the Estuaries Gala. Its Project of the Year Award was given to The Nature Conservancy in Alabama, the City of Orange Beach, and Moffatt & Nichol for the Lower Perdido Islands Restoration Project. The project addresses the “long-term degradation of Robinson and Walker Islands, caused by years of storm damage, erosion from boat wakes, and impacts from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.” PPBEB also presented the Jessica Bibza Partner of the Year Award that “recognizes the outstanding dedication and passion of one individual who has had an immeasurable impact on our community by bringing people together to ensure a better future for all” to Rick O’Connor – Marine Extension Agent IV for UF/IFAS Extension in Escambia County. The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Diane Bolter for her “unwavering commitment, passion, and stewardship” as a Manatee Ambassador “supporting the Panhandle Manatee program, which educates the public about manatees, encourages sighting reports, and promotes seagrass-safe boating practices.” For more information on this and other issues, see the PPBEP’s Pelican Post November Newsletter.

The Friends Heron Trot

The Friends of Pensacola State Parks held their Heron Trot road race on a beautiful November 1 morning at Big Lagoon State Park. Over 50 participants ran the flat course and enjoyed after race camaraderie, drinks and snacks with family and friends.

Aquaculture in the Carolinas

Aquaculture in the Carolinas is extensive and diverse. Thomas Derbes, Sea Grant Extension Agent in Santa Rosa County in the December 6, 2025 UF/IFAS article Aquaculture in the Southern United States: Part 5 – North and South Carolina | Panhandle Outdoors looks at aquaculture industries such as North Carolina’s cold-water trout production and South Carolina’s shellfish and finfish sectors.

Fish Farm

The off-shore fish farm proposed for the Gulf of Mexico about 26 miles south of Pensacola is in the permit approval process. US agencies including NOAA and important interest groups support its creation while some environmental and other groups are opposed. It would be the first major finfish farm in US federal waters though a small scale operation is approved for the Sarasota area but delayed by legal challenges. Concerns about off shore finfish farms include likely increase in nutrient levels in surrounding waters, possibility of disease spreading from fish farms to native species and dangers to whales and other sea life from the apparatus. The Perdido Key Association has joined the “Don’t Cage Our Oceans” coalition that opposes the fish farm. For information on the opposing initiative, go to Don’t Cage Our Oceans | STOP INDUSTRIAL OCEAN FISH FARMING (dontcageouroceans.org); for the website of the group proposing the fish farm, go to Florida Offshore – Manna Fish Farms; for an early report on the proposed fish farm, go to the July 20, 2023 Pensacola News Journal article “Pensacola may get one of Florida’s first offshore fish farms, and some are already worried” by Colin Warren-Hicks at Manna Fish Farms seeking to open Gulf of Mexico farm near Pensacola (pnj.com).

2025 and Past Holiday Parties

PKA is having a smaller holiday gathering this year but attached are some photos of Holiday Parties past. Our greetings to you remain warm and sincere as we look back on a busy year and ahead to new challenges. Have the very best of Holiday Seasons!!

Perdido Key Coastal and Road Cleanup

Nearly 70 people participated in International Coastal Cleanup Day (September 20, 2025) activities and picked up trash on Perdido Key’s beautiful beaches and busy roadways. With leadership from Florida State Park Rangers, Perdido Key Association, Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce and Friends of Pensacola State Parks along with many sponsors who helped fund event t-shirts, participants were able to enjoy wonderful weather while removing unwanted debris from our island. Among the many volunteers were several young men from “Youths Left Behind.”

2025 World Oceans Day

The 2025 World Oceans Day celebration held on Sunday, June 8 at the Perdido Key Community Center had a good turnout from local residents and visitors, allowing them to view presentations and exhibits by organizations such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, manatee and sea turtle watch groups, Florida State Park, Friends of Pensacola State Park, local library representatives and the Perdido Key Association. Some emphasis was given to the “wonder of the oceans” as mentioned in the 2025 United Nations World Oceans Day theme but also the endangered Rice’s whale, proposed offshore fish farm near Pensacola, and threats to the ocean and its creatures.

2025 PKA Annual Membership Meeting

The Perdido Key Association held its Annual Membership Meeting on February 22, 2025 at the Eden Condominium. PKA president Stan Capua covered meeting preliminaries, various Perdido Key construction and development issues as well as PKA activities in 2024. Featured speaker Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger discussed his decision to run for office in 2024 and his campaign’s visits to over 6,000 residences. Responding to questions, he expressed an open mind for changes to the Perdido Key Drive/Johnson Beach Road roundabout and noted funding has not been committed for underground utilities on Perdido Key. He hoped the outdoor bathroom status at Escambia County beach access locations on Perdido Key could be improved and does not plan to go forward with changes to Beach Access #3 until his concerns were addressed. He also discussed crosswalks on Perdido Key Drive and planned to schedule routine maintenance along the now-completed Perdido Key Multi-Use Path. The Commissioner expressed hopes Escambia County would provide better information about its funding and spending activities and mentioned possible creation of a “waterfront district” for Escambia County coastal areas. PKA president Capua also introduced the 2025 PKA Board of Directors: Stan Capua, Connie Walters, Mae Dean, Mark Richardson, Steven Huggins and Charles Krupnick along with new Directors Karen Rolen and Paul Frechette; Suzanne Kenworthy continues as PKA Administrator. The minutes for the meeting are posted on the “Archive” page of the Perdido Key Association website.

Horseshoe Crab Watch Report

138 horseshoe crabs were seen during the 2025 spring nesting season and 28 in the fall nesting season in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. The majority were observed in the Ft. Pickens and Naval Live Oaks North shore locations. To view the “2025 Horseshoe Crab Watch Report,” go to 2025 Horseshoe Crab Watch Report – UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County.

Rattlesnakes on Barrier Islands

Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes live on Northwest Florida barrier islands. Despite fears they raise in many people: “Snakes are just another animal trying to get through the day. They need to eat, avoid being eaten, find a place to sleep, and – at some point in the year – find a mate.” Among the interesting points mentioned in Rick O’Connor’s recent blog on rattlesnakes is: “They have nostrils but smell does not seem to play as important a role as Jacobsen’s organ does. This organ is found on the roof of their mouths. Rattlesnakes (all snakes) will flick their forked tongues to collect air molecules and stick the tip of each fork into a groove in the roof of their mouths that lead to this organ. Here they can taste/smell what is within their environment.” For more on rattlesnakes, go to the December 1, 2025 UF/IFAS Blog Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 1 Knowing the Snake – UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County by Rick O’Connor.

Rattlesnakes Parts 2, 3, and 4

Rick O’Connor continues his series of UF/FAS articles on rattlesnakes with the December 15, 2025 Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 2 – Prey Selection | Panhandle Outdoors, December 22, 2025  Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 3 – Envenomation | Panhandle Outdoors and December 22, 2025 Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 4 – Thermoregulation.

Green Turtles Not “Endangered“

Green sea turtle status has been changed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from “endangered” to “least concern.” According to the Turtle Foundation: “After decades of intensive conservation efforts, the global population of these sea turtles has increased by around 28 percent since the 1970s – an impressive testament to the effectiveness of consistent conservation action.” The article also warned that “Many regional populations remain at risk, and threats such as the illegal trade in eggs, hunting, bycatch in fishing nets, the loss of critical nesting beaches, and the impacts of climate change continue to endanger their survival.” For more on this issue, go to the Turtle Foundation web entry “IUCN: Green Sea Turtle No Longer Endangered – A Success for International Species Conservation” at Green Sea Turtle No Longer Endangered| Turtle Foundation.

Plastic Threats to Ocean Animals

A recent Ocean Conservancy web entry on plastic pollution provided disturbing information on how plastics and other substances are killing sea life. Only a few pieces of balloon rubber smaller than a pea can kill a seabird; less than half a baseball of plastic can kill a loggerhead sea turtle; and, when marine mammals consume 12 pieces of soft plastic like grocery bags, models predict a 50% chance of the animal’s death. For more on this issue, see November 9, 2025 Ocean Conservancy web article

Does Eating Plastics Really Kill Ocean Animals? – Ocean Conservancy by Britta Baechler, Erin  Murphy and Nick Mallos.

Central Arctic Ocean Challenges

While it is far away from almost everything, the Central Arctic Ocean plays a big role in marine productivity. Because of retreating ice in regions that were previously ice covered year round, the region is becoming more open to resource exploitation and transport. According to Barbara Wáahlaal Gidaag Blake, Vice President of Arctic Conservancy, “The Central Arctic Ocean is a vital part of the world’s balance, and as its ice melts, we must prioritize protection over exploitation. We know that safeguarding these waters is essential for the well-being of future generations and the planet.” For more on this issue, go to the article The Central Arctic Ocean – Ocean Conservancy.

Local Snook!

Snook are wonderful game fish and are being seen in our local bays in recent years. As passed on by Escambia County Sea Grant representative Rick O’Connor, Dr. Charlie Martin at Dauphin Island Sea Lab is collecting reports of snook sightings. These can be reported at e-mail address hookedasnook@gmail.com.

Concerns for Cobia and Tripletail

Cobia and Tripletail have become popular game fish in recent years with growing worry about their populations. Dr. Sean Powers of the University of South Alabama will lead a $5 million study to improve understanding of the two species. For more on this issues, see the Outdoor Weekly Alabama article Powers Leads Study on Cobia and Tripletail in the Gulf by David Rainer.

What’s a Stinkhorn?

There are a number of interesting articles in the current edition of Extension Cord from Okaloosa County’s Sea Grant office, including “Stinkhorns are Wild and Smelly Fungi” by Larry Williams at UF/IFAS: EXTENSION CORD — PLUGGING YOU INTO THE LATEST AND BEST INFORMATION JANUARY ISSUE.

Rattlesnakes Parts 5 & 6

Rick O’Connor takes us further into the lives of rattlesnakes with the January 12, 2026 UF/IFAS article Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 5 – Reproduction | Panhandle Outdoors and February 3, 2026 UF/IFAS article Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 6 – Predator/Prey | Panhandle Outdoors. He notes that rattlesnake breeding occurs in the spring after hibernation and that females keep eggs in their bodies “for warmth and protection” – not depositing them in a nest. As a predator, Rick notes how venom is an efficient means of killing prey but that some rattlesnake strikes are made without venom to ward off predators while saving valuable venom. He also states how difficult it is for rattlesnakes to reach old age because they are also prey – particularly for humans.

The Worst Invasive Species

The Dirty Dozen list of “high-priority invasive species” in Florida has been changed. Green iguanas, spiny-tailed iguanas, Peter’s rock agamas, and poisonous cane toads were added; the Cuban tree frog and some others were removed; but, the Burmese python and other species remained on the list. For more on these invasive species, go to the January 26, 2026 USA Today Network – Florida article “Florida updates ‘Dirty Dozen’ list of invasive species to include irritating reptile” by Kimberley Miller at Florida’s worst invasive species list changes with three additions, including iguanas.