In early April, an algae bloom was observed in the vicinity of Port Manatee near the site of the Piney Point discharge. Water quality samples collected by responding agencies showed elevated levels of algae species commonly found in Tampa Bay. Recent data suggest that the bloom may be diminishing.
The figure above illustrates increases in Chl-a above Tampa Bay's management target and regulatory threshold associated with the Piney Point discharge. Fewer samples exceeding these levels have been observed after the discharge ceased on April 9th.
No red tide has been observed in the immediate vicinity of the discharge, although low levels of red tide have been observed near Anna Maria Island since April 20.
Bay managers are concerned about the potential for algae blooms (including slower-growing seaweeds) persisting through the summer months and negatively affecting water quality and seagrass growth.
Congrats to the Gulfport Sustainability Committee for recently completing the installation of a rain garden through our Bay Mini-Grant program. Photo by Abby Baker.
Since its establishment in 1991, the TBEP and its partners have committed themselves to the restoration of Tampa Bay. As our Program enters its fourth decade of doing just that, we look back on recovery goals met and the staff and partners that made it all possible. At the same time, we acknowledge a future full of complex challenges—a future that will require nothing less than the same tenacious collaborations that have fostered the many accomplishments of the past 30 years.
To celebrate, we'll be rolling out exciting initiatives and a 30th-anniversary product or two throughout the year. Stay tuned and check out our 30th Anniversary webpage. We can't wait to celebrate with you!
Water Quality & Old Tampa Bay AMA (Ask Maya Anything)
To help folks better understand what the 2020 Water Quality Results (released this past February) mean for Tampa Bay, TBEP Assistant Director Maya Burke took over our Instagram to answer a few questions. Check it out by visiting our Instagram and clicking on the "OTB AMA" story highlight. Links below:
For the first time since 2012, seagrass acreage in Tampa Bay fell below the recovery goal established by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program nearly 25 years ago.TBEP and its partners are committed to investigating and addressing the complex causes of this decline. Learn more by visiting the press kit below.
Members of TBEP's Community Advisory Committee (CAC) play a vital role in sharing our work with the greater Tampa Bay community. They also serve as judges for our Bay Mini-Grant program while providing invaluable insights into the very communities we work to engage with. We're always interested in welcoming new and dedicated members. If you or someone you know might be interested, hit the link below to learn more.
Worked with us on a Bay Mini-Grant? Attended one of our Give-A-Days? Maybe you just appreciate the work being done by our Program and its partners here in Tampa Bay. Whatever the reason, sharing it in a Google Review will help more folks discover our Program and learn about Florida's largest open-water estuary.
Natural Resources Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County Lara Milligan breaks down the importance of healthy stormwater systems in highly urbanized places like Pinellas County.
The St. Pete Science Fest social media team is looking for Tampa Bay-based STEAM professionals to feature in their "Scientists in the Sun" campaign. If you or someone you know fits the bill, send the team a message at info@stpetescifest.org with the subject line "Scientists in the Sun."
