GOVERNOR CRIST CELEBRATES PROTECTION OF FLORIDA’S SEAGRASSES

~~ ~New Florida Aquarium & Ocean Foundation exhibit highlights importance of seagrass protection and restoration~ ~~

February 24, 2009

Contact:

GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394

www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/seagrass/

TAMPA – Governor Charlie Crist today marked the official opening of a new educational exhibit at The Florida Aquarium entitled Seagrass, a joint venture between the aquarium and The Ocean Foundation. The exhibit increases public awareness about Florida’s fragile seagrass ecosystems and supports restoration of these vital habitats in the Tampa region.

“Seagrasses are essential to the ecology of Florida’s waters, especially Tampa Bay,” said Governor Crist. “Preserving and protecting the state’s seagrasses is critical – not only to our marine environment, but also to our economy and quality of life.”

Florida’s multimillion-dollar recreational and commercial fishing industry depends on healthy seagrasses to protect young fish and shellfish, coral reefs and other marine life, including sea turtles, manatees and wading birds. Florida is home to seven species of seagrasses. One of the most productive communities on earth, seagrasses are flowering underwater grasses found in estuaries, lagoons and shallow, open shelves off Florida’s coast. A critical marine habitat, seagrasses provide a nursery ground for marine life and maintain water quality and clarity by stabilizing bottom sediments and filtering nutrients from stormwater runoff.

Governor Crist was joined at the exhibit opening by Thom Stork, president and chief executive officer of The Florida Aquarium; president of The Ocean Foundation Mark J. Spalding; and a host of community officials to proclaim March as Seagrass Awareness Month.

“We are pleased to be working with The Ocean Foundation on this unique educational partnership to encourage awareness of the region’s seagrass beds,” said Stork. “With nearly 700,000 visitors to the aquarium each year, the exhibit will engage visitors about current protection efforts while at the same time aid The Ocean Foundation’s restoration efforts.”

Oftentimes, seagrass meadows sustain damage from boat propellers, anchors and vessel groundings that leave a scar and can restrict the movement of marine wildlife or eventually destroy the whole seagrass bed. To help restore damaged seagrass beds, The Ocean Foundation’s Restore-a-Scar program will use innovative seagrass recovery techniques to minimize the damage and allow the seagrass to re-colonize over a period of 18 to 24 months. In 1995, Florida had a reported 2.6 million acres of seagrass, with more than 173,960 acres having propeller scars.

“Florida’s seagrass beds serve as a backbone to our waters, serving not only as a nursery to a variety of species, but also as a nutrient filter,” said Spalding. “By restoring seagrasses through our Restore-a-Scar initiative we are also restoring the health of our waterways.”

Facts About Seagrass: The Nursery of the Sea

· Provides habitat and sustenance for nearly 70 percent of all sea life including sea turtles, manatees and sea horses.

· Help maintain water clarity by trapping fine sediments and particles.

· Stabilizes the bottom, and dissipates wave and current energy.

· Shelters the coast from storms.

· Is the first line of defense along much of the world’s coastlines, intercepting run-off pollution.

· Supports tourism and economic development through both the commercial and recreation fishing industry.

To learn more about The Ocean Foundation’s Restore-a-Scar program visit www.restoreascar.org. To learn more about The Florida Aquarium visit www.flaquarium.org. For more information on Florida’s seagrasses, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/seagrass/.

GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION

SEAGRASS AWARENESS MONTH

WHEREAS, the seagrass community of Florida is the largest seagrass meadow in the world; and

WHEREAS, the seagrass community supports hundreds of species of fish, sea turtles, manatees and other wildlife at various stages of their development; and

WHEREAS, although seagrass is often perceived as less glamorous than corals, it is equally important, providing a multiplicity of functions that contribute to a healthy and viable marine ecosystem; and

WHEREAS, in 2008 alone, seagrass communities in the state of Florida supported an estimated harvest of $36.6 million for six seagrass-dependant, commercial species of fish and shellfish; and

WHEREAS, while more than 2.6 million acres of seagrass were reported in Florida in 1995, more than 173,960 acres had propeller scars; and

WHEREAS, seagrass stabilizes bottom sediments and helps to absorb the excess nutrients from land run-off which can further damage the quality of our waters; and

WHEREAS, awareness of the problems facing this vital natural resource will help to create an understanding of the ways seagrass damage can impact both the economic and ecological value of our marine resources;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charlie Crist, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing March 2009 as Seagrass Awareness Month.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 24th day of February, in the year two thousand nine.

Charlie Crist

Governor