News

September 21 Perdido Key Coastal and Roadside Cleanups

Please join the Perdido Key Association, Friends of Pensacola State Parks, Florida State Park rangers, Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce and other local groups for cleanups of our beaches and roadsides from 8 AM until Noon on Saturday, September 21, 2024 – International Coastal Cleanup Day! Beach cleanup volunteers will meet at the East Area of Perdido Key State Park (note the change from previous years when we met at the West Area of the Park) while roadside cleanup volunteers will meet at the Perdido Key Visitors Center. Individuals and groups are all very welcome to participate!

Commissioner Bergosh Defeated in Primary Election

In a result that surprised many, Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh was defeated in the recent Republican primary election receiving 36.84% of the vote to Steve Stroberger’s 54.14%. Because there is no candidate from the Democratic Party, US Marine veteran Stroberger will become the next District 1 Commissioner. The vacant District 4 Commissioner position will be determined following the November general election in a contest between Republican Ashlee Hofberger who won the Republican primary and Democrat Ron Helms. As the linked article by Jim Little indicates, the dynamics of the new Escambia County Board of County Commissions are likely to be very different from recent years. For more on this issue, see the August 23, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “Tuesday’s primary was a political earthquake for the Escambia County Commission” by Jim Little at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2024/08/23/escambia-county-commission-primary-election-saw-major-shakeup/74886971007/.

Lawsuit on 75 ft Public Access Beach Easement

In early 2023 District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh and Escambia County followed up a finding that some deeds transferring Perdido Key property from the Federal Government to private ownership in 1957 specified the southerly 75 feet of the Gulf front lots were “subject to a perpetual easement for a beach for public use generally.” The properties affected are from Perdido Skye Condominium to the eastern boundary of Perdido Key State Park. A lawsuit was recently filed against Escambia County challenging the easement. Attorney Robert Powell with Morehead Law Group is part of the legal team representing owners from six condo associations in the lawsuit (La Riva III, Portico, Mirabella, Ocean Breeze, the Palms of Perdido, and Windemere) and stated: “Florida law favors the marketability of title to real property, and it provides a vehicle to resolve disputes of this very nature that involve somewhat ancient claims or interests that are asserted in someone else’s property, like this easement.” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh who represents Perdido Key said: “I’m going to fight for the people. I’m going to keep that beach open, even if I have to go to the Supreme Court, as long as I’m in this office.” For more on this issue, go to the August 6, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “Condo owners on Perdido Key file lawsuit over validity of new public easement on beach” by Mollye Barrows at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2024/08/06/perdido-key-condo-owners-file-lawsuit-over-public-easement-on-beach/74671317007/.

Pensacola Pass Inlet Management Plan Implemented!

In a major win for Perdido Key, the Pensacola Pass Inlet Management Plan was implemented following several years of intergovernmental cooperation. Portions of Perdido Key beaches are critically eroded in part because sand to replenish the beaches is trapped in Pensacola Pass inlet between Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. The Plan authorizes sand dredged from the inlet to be deposited on the Perdido Key Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore so current can move it toward eroded areas rather than be deposited at sea. The government entities involved in the Plan’s development included Escambia County, City of Pensacola, US Corps of Army Engineers, US National Parks Service, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection and its Office of Resiliency and Coastal Protection; civilian firm Olsen Associates was also involved. For more information on the Plan, go to FDEP’s Pensacola Pass Inlet Management Plan_08-2024.pdf.

Red White and Birdies Golf Scramble October 11

There is still time to sign up for the 2024 Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Red, White and Birdies Golf Scramble” to be held on October 11. The event venue was changed and will be held at A.C. Read Golf Course on NAS Pensacola. The Scramble is an annual event to show support for our area’s former and current military families with proceeds going to the Perdido Key Area Chamber Foundation’s military appreciation programs and initiatives. For more information, go to https://business.visitperdido.com/events/details/2024-red-white-and-birdies-golf-scramble-35828?calendarMonth=2024-10-01.

SS United States to Fort Walton County

Hopes for buying the legendary ocean liner SS United States to become a dive site off the Escambia County coast were dashed when the current owners signed an agreement with neighboring Okaloosa County to purchase the ship. Escambia County Commissioners had been waiting for input from the County’s Tourist Development Council that apparently “put off a discussion about purchasing the grand ocean liner.” “It’s very disappointing that we won’t be getting it here,” said Kerry Freeland, Marine Advisory Committee chairman, who attended Thursday’s TDC meeting. “It’s hard to imagine us not feeling a little slide backwards now that the larger reef is going to be down the road. I feel sorry for our charter boat captains, but once again, maybe we can just hurry up and get something else that’s of that size and get people to come back over here.” For more on the issue, see the August 30, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “Okaloosa agrees to buy SS United States after Escambia tourist board puts off discussion” by Mollye Barrows at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2024/08/30/ss-united-states-sale-to-escambia-unknown-until-tourism-board-meets/74994615007/.

Controversial Florida State Park Proposal Postponed

A proposal by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for major additions to several Florida state parks (part of the “Great Outdoors Initiative”) has been postponed by Governor DeSantis following substantial bipartisan opposition. According to “1000 Friends of Florida”: “The plans include building three golf courses on more than 1,000 acres of scrub habitat at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County, as well as constructing 350-room lodges and pickleball courts at Anastasia State Park in St. Johns County and Topsail State Park in Walton County. Nine parks altogether would be impacted.” “They [Florida state parks] are sanctuaries for wild lands, wildlife and the millions of people who treasure them. This is increasingly important in fast developing Florida. So the DEP proposal, if implemented, would represent a radical, irreversible change for lands within the Florida Parks system.” For more on the issue, see the August 29, 2024 Tallahassee Democrat article “Amid statewide backlash, DeSantis calls on DEP to put Florida state park plans on hold” by Gary Rohrer at https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2024/08/28/florida-gov-desantis-puts-controversial-state-parks-plans-on-hold-jonathan-dickinson/74980449007/; 1000 Friends of Florida comments drawn from August 21, 2024 and August 23, 2024 e-mails.

Gulf State Park Fishing Pier Reopened

After extensive repairs following damage from Hurricane Sally in 2020, the Gulf State Park Pier near the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores boundary reopened on August 19, 2024. The pier’s gift shop and restaurant have reopened, but the observation deck remains closed pending installation of a new elevator. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will occur at a later date. For more on this issue, see the August 21, 2024 Mullet Wrapper article “Gulf State Park Fishing Pier is back open!” at https://mulletwrapper.net/gulf-state-park-fishing-pier-is-back-open-2/.

Beach Express Traffic Up

When tolls were lifted on the Foley Beach Express Bridge in Orange Beach, traffic on the Foley Beach Express increased by 6,000 to 8,000 vehicles a day (20% rise) while – according to Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich – traffic on Hwy. 59 in Baldwin County has dropped. For more on this issue, see the August 20, 2024 Mullet Wrapper article “Beach Express traffic has increased by 20 percent since toll lifted” at https://mulletwrapper.net/beach-express-traffic-has-increased-by-20-percent-since-toll-lifted/.

Lionfish Festival

The Pensacola Lionfish Festival will be held September 21 and 22 on Pensacola Beach following efforts by many divers to help reduce the number of invasive lionfish in our area waters. Along with a host of vendors and displays, the festival will be a great opportunity to have lionfish for lunch or dinner – they taste really good! For more on the event, go to https://pensacolalionfishfestival.com.

District 1 August 7 Town Hall

District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh hosted a town hall meeting on August 7, 2024 at the Perdido Bay United Methodist Church. He was joined by several members of the Escambia County staff including County Administrator Wes Moreno. Commissioner Bergosh and the County staff primarily addressed infrastructure issues affecting the Perdido area, including improving the Perdido Key Drive/Johnson Beach Road roundabout, adding lanes to Sorrento Road, traffic at the Canal Rd/Perdido Key Drive intersection, crosswalks on Perdido Key Drive, adding sidewalks to the south side of Perdido Key Drive, acquiring new beach access property on Perdido Key, pursuing underground utilities for Perdido Key and evaluating the Valencia Square project. Commissioner Bergosh also revealed work to create “Sunset Island” from the current small islands at the confluence of the Old River and Intracoastal Waterway by using dredged sand from the Intracoastal Waterway. The island would be a new boating recreation location as well as providing a reserve of sand for dune restoration following major storms. The Commissioner also discussed his push to have the County adopt “concurrency management” procedures so that new developments could get County approval only when the existing infrastructure, such as schools and roads, were available or planned for the location being developed. A video of the town hall is available on Commissioner Bergosh’s blog at https://jeffbergoshblog.blogspot.com/2024/08/blog-post_51.html.

Siquenza Cove Resurfacing Project

Escambia County’s Board of County Commissioners has approved the “Siquenza Cove Resurfacing Project” that calls for: “a partial reconstruction of roadway on areas of Gongora Drive and Don Carlos Drive. It will also include resurfacing a portion of River Road, Don Carlos Drive, Gongora Drive, and Siquenza Drive.” It is anticipated the roads affected will remain open for at least one lane of traffic during reconstruction. Scheduling information for the project will be distributed when available. For more on this issue, go to https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/escambiacountyfl/projects/93578/document.

New Condo for Perdido Key

Escambia County’s Development Review Committee (DRC) approved two residential development projects in July 2024, “Highland Ridge” in Ensley and “Royal Beach at Perdido” on Perdido Key. Royal Beach at Perdido will be a 10 story condominium with eight residential units located at 14757 Perdido Key Drive, the site of the former Sea Oats condominium destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. For more on this issue, see the August 1, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “Ensley, Perdido Key to get more residences after pair of projects OK’d in July” by Edward Bunch III at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2024/08/01/ensley-perdido-key-residential-projects-approved-in-escambia-countyd-in-july/74586018007/.

Pensacola Lighthouse Free Fee Day

Some took advantage of clear weather and free fee day on August 7, 2024 to visit the majestic Pensacola Lighthouse on NAS Pensacola. As shown by the photo of Pensacola Pass with Pensacola Beach on the left and Perdido Key on the right, the view from the top is well worth climbing 171 steps!

Perdido Key Multi-Use Path and HCP in the News!

On a very sunny Tuesday July 23, 2024 morning, Escambia County District 1Commissioner Jeff Bergosh presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony near the Perdido Key Visitors Center and formally opened the Perdido Key Multi-Use Path. Construction of the east portion was just completed taking about a year and joined the west portion completed more than two years ago. On the same day, County officials held a briefing attended by State, Federal and local officials and residents to commemorate the 10^th anniversary of the Perdido Key Habitat Conservation Plan (PKHCP). According to Escambia County Natural Resources Management Deputy Director Tim Day: “With limits on how and when development may occur and established conservation measures, the PKHCP balances the needs of the environment with those of the economy.” For more on the ribbon-cutting, go to the July 23, 2024 Escambia County News Article “Escambia County Celebrates Completion of the Perdido Key Multi-Use Path” at https://myescambia.com/news/news-article/2024/07/23/escambia-county-celebrates-completion-of-the-perdido-key-multi-use-path; for information on the PKHCP event, go to the July 24, 2024 Escambia County News Article “Perdido Key Habitat Conservation Plan Celebrates 10 Years” at https://myescambia.com/news/news-article/2024/07/24/perdido-key-habitat-conservation-plan-celebrates-10-years.

Navarre Incorporation Initiative Stalls

A proposal to gage support for incorporating Navarre with a straw poll failed at a recent meeting of the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners. Various reasons were given for its rejection including reference to efforts at incorporating a portion of Escambia County, including Perdido Key. For more on this issue, see the July 22, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “’Integrity’ concerns stop Navarre incorporation referendum before it starts” by Kevin Robinson at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2024/07/22/preserve-navarre-incorporation-non-binding-referendum-axed-santa-rosa/74499978007/.

More Repairs to Perdido Key State Park

The Florida Park Service has approved funding to complete repairs to the West Use area of Perdido Key State Park, to include restroom renovations and boardwalk repairs.

More Trails for West Escambia

Local sponsors hope to receive several million dollars in EPA funding to complete a “public greenway project that would connect north and west Pensacola with trails, parks, and other common spaces.” The “Bluffline plan” would go from the University of West Florida to Jackson Lakes between Navy Blvd and Jackson Street and could help revitalize Warrington and adjacent areas. For more on this issue, see the July 26, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “‘Bluffline’ plan to connect north and west Pensacola with miles of trails gaining steam” by Mollye Barrows at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2024/07/26/bluffline-project-aims-to-develop-pensacolas-jackson-lakes/74509306007/.

Pensacola Beach Upgrades Budgeted

The Santa Rosa Island Authority’s draft budget for Fiscal Year 2025 includes funding for the renovation of the Bob Sikes Toll Plaza, increased spending on beach nourishment, additional bathrooms, and infrastructure improvements including bike path renovations and crosswalk lighting. For more on this issue, go to the July 25, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “SRIA has big plans to improve beach infrastructure. What’s planned and what it’ll cost.” by Edward Bunch III at

 https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2024/07/25/santa-rosa-island-authority-drafts-pensacola-beach-budget-for-2025/74350147007/.

Hotel and More Proposed for Perdido Key

Developers are advancing a significant commercial and residential addition to Perdido Key. “Valencia Square” would be located at 13585 Perdido Key Drive on a 50 acre site between the Perdido Key Sports Bar & Restaurant and Pointe South Rentals & Real Estate Office. It would have a five-story hotel, a seven-story condominium, 49 single-family townhomes, three restaurants plus over 3,000 square feet of office space. According to the Pensacola News Journal article: “The project was submitted to Escambia County on June 21 and has not been reviewed by the county’s Development Review Committee yet.” For more on this issue, go to the July 5, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “Three restaurants, 1 hotel, over 100 residential units and more proposed for Perdido Key” by Edward Bunch III at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2024/07/05/perdido-key-valencia-square-project-plans-restaurants-hotel-homes/74283325007/.

Governor Vetoes Latest Vacation Rental Regulation

The Florida legislature over the last several years has pursued changes to laws governing vacation rentals and, as some would argue, generally to reduce the ability of local government to regulate vacation rentals in their communities. In its 2024 session, the legislature passed SB280 that contained policies opposed by both local communities and the vacation rental industry. According to the cited article: “Many of those policies relate to how local governments deal with violations like having too many people at a party or noise complaints …” Governor DeSantis vetoed the bill and said it would have prevented “virtually all local regulation of vacation rentals even though the vacation rental markets are far from uniform across the various regions of the state.” Vacation rental regulation will almost certainly be addressed again in the 2025 Florida legislative session. For more on this issue, see the June 28, 2024 Tampa Bay Times article “DeSantis vetoes bill over vacation rental regulation” by Alexandra Glorioso at https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2024/06/27/desantis-vetoes-bill-over-vacation-rental-regulation/.

HOA Rule Changes

Changes to Florida home owner association (HOA) authority became law on July 01, 2024 and could affect some Perdido Key residents and owners. The legislation was apparently “in response to a lot of resident complaints about the lack of [HOA] accountability, legislators said.” The changes are numerous and possibly significant, including removing bans on some types of vehicles allowed to park in HOA spaces, reducing HOA imposed fines for violations, and requiring more transparence in HOA operations. For more on this issue, see the July 02, 2024 USA Today Network article “Here’s what your HOA can’t do anymore” by C. A. Bridges at https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/state/2024/07/01/florida-hoa-new-law-july/74265853007/.

Muscogee Nation of NWFL Museum Reopened

The Grand Re-Opening of the Muscogee Nation of NWFL Museum took place on June 29, 2024. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured appropriate ritual accompanied by representatives in traditional attire. The event also had local vendors and various demonstrations while visitors could tour the updated museum exhibits. The museum is located at 3300 Beloved Path a few blocks from the Gulf Beach Highway/Fairfield Drive intersection.

Least Tern Chicks on Perdido Key!

A number of least tern chicks have been seen on Perdido Key in recent weeks. The attached photo of a chick and mom was taken by Perdido Key State Park volunteer Sandy Williams.

New Perdido Bay Boat Ramp Opened!

A good crowd attended the grand opening of the Perdido Bay Boat Ramp on June 18, 2024. The facility includes a “tow-lane ramp, 62 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers and 22 for vehicles without.” Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said “it’s a big win for the county and people who live and work in the area.” For more on this issue, see the June 19, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “People are amped about Escambia County’s new big boat ramp. Why it’s making waves.” by Mollye Barrows at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2024/06/19/escambia-county-celebrates-launch-of-new-perdido-bay-boat-ramp/74144420007/.

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).

World Ocean Day 2024

World Ocean Day was held on June 8, 2024 at Escambia County Beach Access #4. Beginning with beach yoga, the event featured presentations by Escambia County’s Sea Turtle Ambassadors, Friends of Pensacola State Parks, Southwest Public Library and the Perdido Key Association as well as offerings from several vendors. While enjoying a beautiful day at the beach, the event provided those attending a great opportunity to learn more about the importance of the ocean and the fascinating sea life it supports. For more information on our oceans and the threats to them, please access the several Power Point slide presentations that follow:

PKA Annual Membership Meeting!

Approximately 30 people attended the Perdido Key Association Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the Eden Condominium, with others joining on Zoom. Featured speaker Christian Wagley, the coastal organizer for Healthy Gulf, gave a terrific presentation on several issues including potential threats from a proposed industrial fish farm in the Gulf of Mexico offshore from Pensacola and the status of and efforts to help the rare Rice’s whale. PKA President Stan Capua followed and addressed Perdido Key issues such as continued work to restore Perdido Key State Park and the Perdido Key Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore (Johnson Beach) from 2020’s Hurricane Sally damage, progress on the Perdido Key Multi-Use Path and other construction and development related issues. Other Board members provided information on the Perdido Key Drive/Johnson Beach Road roundabout and changes to Beach Access #2; “We Are Perdido” leader Steve Brendtro added an update on the Perdido area incorporation initiative. The meeting minutes will be posted shortly on the Archive page of the PKA website.

2023 PKA Holiday Party!

Those attending the PKA Holiday Party on December 11, 2023 at the Palacio Resort on Perdido Key Drive had a great time meeting old friends and making new ones. Wonderful food and multiple beverage choices were available and terrific decorations on display. The PKA Board of Directors wishes you and yours the very best of Holiday Seasons!

Perdido Key Beach Cleanup

The Perdido Key Association, Friends of Pensacola State Parks and Florida State Park rangers hosted International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at the Perdido Key State Park West Use Area. Over 50 volunteers helped cleanup our beaches including very active participation from 10 students from Pensacola Catholic High School. Trash removed included large debris remaining from Hurricane Sally. T-shirts unique to the event were distributed to all participants. It was a great community effort to improve our Perdido Key’s beach environment!

Shark Research Base Planned for Mayport

With funding approved in the latest Florida state budget, Ocearch – a global shark-tracking organization – expects to construct a new headquarters in Mayport FL. The facility will offer student tours as well as residential buildings for those learning about Ocearch’s research. For more on this issue, see the June 22, 2024 Jacksonville FloridaTimes-Union article “Ocearch planning shark research base in Florida” by David Bauerlein at https://www.pressreader.com/usa/times-herald-record/20240622/281865828649187.

Plastic Microfibers a Big Problem

From “Ocean Conservancy:” Our clothing is largely plastic-based, and when we wash it, pieces shed off and end up in our washing machines as microfibers. In fact, a single load of laundry can release up to 18 million microfibers, and these tiny pieces of plastic end up in our ocean, open land, farm fields and rivers. In California alone, the number of microfibers released into our environment in a single year is greater than all the stars in our galaxy. Imagine how many microfibers the entire United States is collectively dumping into our ocean and on land! The good news? There are easy and economical ways to help curb this crisis at the source, such as adding microfiber filters to all new washing machines.” Information drawn from the July 03, 2024 Ocean Conservancy e-mail “Microfibers Are a Mega-Problem” by Robyn Stegman.

How have Climate Change Predictions worked out?

Need some facts about Climate Change? See the following UF/IFAS Rick O’Connor articles: June 25, 2024, “Another Look at Climate Change – Part 2 How Might the Earth’s Temperature and Climate Change in the Future?” at https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2024/06/25/another-look-at-climate-change-part-2-how-might-the-earths-temperature-and-climate-change-in-the-future/; and, July 19, 2024, “Another Look at Climate Change; Part 4 – What Can Be Done?” at https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2024/07/19/another-look-at-climate-change-part-4-what-can-be-done/.

Sharks in These Waters?

For a summary of possible danger from sharks in Pensacola waters, see the Pensacola News Journal July 2, 2024 article “How many folks have been bitten by sharks near Pensacola Beach? Here’s the brief history.” by Troy Moon at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/2024/07/02/pensacola-beach-shark-attacks-rare-despite-two-walton-shark-bites/74224488007/.

Successful Sea Turtle Hatches!

More than 160 loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings made it to the Gulf early in August from two nests on Perdido Key and 13 nests on Pensacola Beach. Some of the remaining nests to hatch are less common green and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. For more on this issue, see the August 6, 2024 Pensacola News Journal article “Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key celebrate first sea turtle hatches of season” at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/pensacola/beaches/2023/08/06/pensacola-beach-perdido-key-see-first-sea-turtle-hatches-of-season/70528904007/.

Master Naturalist Course

Interested in learning more about our region’s natural wonders? Consider the “Florida Master Naturalist Program” run by UF/IFAS of the University of Florida. The course runs from October 2 until November 12, 2024 with in-person meetings one day a week at various locations. Tuition is required but fellowships may be available. For more information, go to https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/cs24-17inperson.php; note registration closes at 10 AM on September 25, 2024.

Scallops in Big Lagoon

The scallop population in local waterways has collapsed in recent decades, most likely from sea grass loss, low water quality and over-harvesting. A 2024 count of scallops in Big Lagoon, however, found 101 scallops compared to only 2 found in 2023. Efforts continue to ensure the count was accurate. The Santa Rosa Sound count increased from 2 to 32. As noted in the study: “It is important for locals NOT to harvest scallops from either body of water. First, it is illegal. Second, any chance of recovering this lost population will be lost if the adult population densities are not high enough for reproductive success.” Drawn from the August 30, 2024 UF/IFAS Extension publication “2024 Pensacola Scallop Search Report” by Rick O’Connor at https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2024/08/30/2024-pensacola-scallop-search-report/.

Invasive Plants on Perdido Key

A recent survey found patches of invasive beach vitex and cogongrass on Perdido Key. These will be addressed in the months ahead. Cogongrass has passed its blooming season but can be identified by its long green leaves with distinctive white stripe in the center or off-center. Do not attempt to remove the plants because they are easily spread without proper procedures. For more information on cogongrass, go to the UF/UFA Blog “Now is the Time to Search for Invasive Cogongrass” by Rick O’Connor at https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2024/04/18/now-is-the-time-to-search-for-invasive-cogongrass/.