About this guide

This guide includes a map of the Pensacola Bay system that depicts main channels, seagrasses, offshore articial reefs, aquatic preserves, marinas, and boat ramps open to the public. Also featured is information on habitats and animals, popular sport sh, boating safety and protocol, and a resource directory. This guide should not be used for navigation. The Boating and Angling Guide to Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties was produced by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Escambia County Marine Resources Division, Northwest Florida Aquatic Preserves Ofce, and the University of Floridas Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Santa Rosa County Sea Grant Extension. We welcome your comments and inquiries. Please address any comments to: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 100 Eighth Avenue S.E. St. Petersburg, FL 33701 http://research.MyFWC.com/boating

SGEB-62

Boating and Angling Guide to

RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission FWC Law Enforcement Hotline 1-888-404-FWCC Cell Phones *FWC FWC Law Enforcement (Pensacola) (850) 595-8978 To report oil spills marine violations, boating accidents, and marine mammal injuries or strandings. Information also available on saltwater shing and shellsh harvesting. Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (St. Petersburg) For information on Floridas marine resources and marine research Marine Fish Kill Hotline To report a sh kill or red tide event in your area U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Station (24 hr. emergency service) Marine Safety Ofce National Response Center To report oil spills and maritime emergencies Northwest Florida Aquatic Preserves For more information about Floridas protected coastal waters Boat U.S. Foundation Hotline For information on boating skills and safety courses offered locally (727) 896-8626 1-800-636-0511

Welcome To The

Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties

ensacola ay
T
he Pensacola Bay system encompasses 144 square miles of surface water. Popular for sport and recreation, the Pensacola Bay system also supports one of the worlds most productive natural systems. Estuaries like Pensacola Bay, where saltwater from the sea and freshwater from rivers and uplands mix, are nurseries for young sh, shrimp, and crabs. More than 70% of all sh, shellsh, and crustaceans spend some critical stage of their development in these nearshore waters, protected from larger predators that swim the open sea. Wildlife abounds along the shores of the Pensacola Bay System. Many species

VHF channel 16 (251) 441-5960 1-800-424-8802

ystem

850-983-5359

1-800-336-BOAT (336-2628)

Map designed and produced by Chris Anderson, and Kathleen OKeife, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Project managed by Robert Turpin, Escambia County Marine Resources Division, and Chris Verlinde, Santa Rosa County UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Service. Partial funding for this guide was provided by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Fund. The Sport Fish Restoration Program collects money from taxes on shing equipment and boat fuel and distributes the funds to projects that improve shing and boating opportunities. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is not responsible for omissions, misrepresentations, or factual errors. Additional copies of this publication can be obtained from the Escambia or Santa Rosa County UF/IFAS Sea Grant Extension Ofce, or the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Contact information can be found in the Resource Directory of this guide.

UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Service Escambia County Sea Grant Extension 850-475-5230 Santa Rosa County Sea Grant Extension: 850-623-3868 For educational information on Floridas coastal zone and marine resources Gulf Islands National Seashore Headquarters For assistance with injured marine mammals or sea turtles National Marine Fisheries Service Panama City Field Ofce For information about marine sheries in federal waters NOAA Weather Service Broadcast 24-hour weather and marine forecast Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida For assistance with injured seabirds contact 850-934-2600

of birds, from the familiar brown pelican to the breathtaking bald eagle, nest in this area. Others, including sandpipers and numerous species of ducks are seasonal visitors. By boating safely, and with greater awareness of the natural environment, boaters can help protect Pensacola Bay and the wildlife that depends on these waters for survival. By knowing and obeying some simple rules, you can help to sustain and preserve this natural system.

850-234-6541

813-645-2506 162.55 Kz/VHF radio 850-433-9453

NOT FOR RESALE

2007
Fort Pickens, NAS Pensacola, and Pensacola Pass from the International Space Station, NASA.

The Bay Area Resource Council (BARC) is a watershed management group dedicated to protecting resources of the Pensacola Bay System. To learn more about the Pensacola Bay watershed and to participate in bay stewardship activities, BARC at 850-332-7976,ext. 226.

Native Habitats
Pensacola Bay is a rich mosaic of sh and wildlife habitats that supplies life-sustaining links in an ecosystem as biologically productive as some of the worlds most celebrated rain forests. From freshwater and saltwater marshes to underwater meadows of seagrass, from the open bay to the salty mouth of the Gulf of Mexico, each interdependent habitat plays a vital role. Habitats in the Pensacola Bay system supply food and shelter for creatures as diverse as the great blue heron and the seahorse. Seagrasses and marshes, most notable among these habitats, contribute signicantly to a dynamic food chain that draws nutrients from the bay oor. As seagrasses and marsh plants decay, they provide food for small creatures that are ultimately consumed by sh and larger predators.

Once plentiful, seagrass beds now cover less than half of their original acreage in the Pensacola Bay system. This loss is triggered by dredge-and-ll activity and declines in water quality. Damage from motorboats (known as prop scars) is severe in some areas. As boats carve through shallow grass ats, the propellers cut sandy trenches that may stay barren for years. To help preserve Pensacola Bay systems remaining seagrasses, stay within marked channels and avoid grass beds in shallow water. Boaters should wear polarized sunglasses to detect the dark patches of seagrass ats. If you run aground or enter grass ats to sh, stop your motor, tilt it up, and pole or push your boat through. An engine may be damaged if it is run aground in a seagrass bed.

common component. Nearly half of the marshes that once ringed Pensacola Bay have been replaced by development and seawalls.

Practice Safe Boating

File a oat plan and leave it with a reliable person at a marina or elsewhere. Include a description of the vessel, radio and safety eqipment on board, planned stops, names of passengers, and an estimated time of returning from voyage. Ask that person to notify the Coast Guard or other local authority if you do not return as scheduled. Wear a personal oatation device (PFD). To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and over must have at least one Type IV throwable device as well. Adult-sized life jackets will not work for children. Special life jackets are available for children. To work correctly, a life jacket must be worn, t snugly, and not allow the childs chin or ears to slip through. Life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once each year. Waterlogged, faded, or leaky jackets should be discarded. Life jackets must be properly stowed. Observe and obey posted speed limits. When in doubt, slow down. Watch your wake. Remember, you are responsible for damage caused by your vessels wake. Large wakes can overturn smaller vessels and damage boats which are moored at the dock. Know your navigational rules. Use the boating rules of the road to avoid accidents. Dont mix alcohol and boating. More than 50% of all boating accidents involve alcohol. Plan your route in advance. Use the appropriate nautical charts to reference depth, bridge clearance, and other natural and man-made features before you leave. Be sure that your boat is visible at night and in poor weather conditions. The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a free boat inspection to advise boaters of state and federal safety requirements. Violations found during these courtesy exams will not be reported to authorities.

Mud Flats
Mud ats throughtout the Pensacola Bay system may be completely exposed at low tide. Although these ats are barren of visible vegetation, they are teeming with life. Small crabs, clams, and worms, which burrow in the mud, supply a veritable feast for birds wading at low tide.

Protect Wild DolphinsAdmire From A Distance

Watching bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat can be an educational and enriching experience if conducted safely and responsibly. To responsibly view wild dolphins and prevent harassment, NOAA Fisheries Service provides the following guidelines: Remain a respectful distance of 50 yards and a vessel position slightly behind and parallel to the dolphins direction of movement. Limit viewing time to 30 minutes or less. For a better view, use binoculars or telephoto lenses. Never encircle or trap dolphins between watercraft or between watercraft and shore. If a dolphin approaches, place watercrafts engine in neutral and allow the dolphin to pass. Avoid any close interactions, such as swimming with, touching, or petting wild dolphins. Avoid separating mother/calf pairs. Move away cautiously if dolphins show signs of disturbance. Remember: It is illegal to feed, attempt to feed, or harass all wild marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. For more information, visit www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ education/protectdolphins.htm. To report marine mammal violations, such as feeding wild dolphins or harassment, please contact the NOAA Fisheries Service Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964. To report a marine mammal in distress, please contact: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

Oyster Bars
Oysters are immobile shellsh that lter water as they feed. Their gray-white shells are irregular in shape. Live oysters and dead oyster shells form in mounds on the bay oor, creating bars or reefs. More prevalent near river mouths and in sections of the bay that receive a steady diet of fresh water, oyster bars attract adult sheepshead and redsh, making these structures popular shing spots. Exercise caution in these areas! Oyster bars may severely damage boat hulls and are treacherous for those on foot. Shellsh harvesting is regulated in Florida. For information on seasonal closures, visit the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at www.oridaaquaculture.com. For size and bag limits visit FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management at www.MyFWC.com/marine.
FWC

Seagrasses
Seagrasses are owering underwater plants found at shallow depths in protected bays and bayous and in patches along the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico. As a nursery environment, seagrasses support small sh, shrimp, and crabs that hide among the blades and feast on decaying leaves. Seagrasses also help stabilize shifting sands on the bottom of the bay and improve water clarity by trapping ne sediments and particles. FWC

FWC

Salt And Freshwater Marshes

Like seagrasses, marshes provide food and cover for a vast array of small sh and wildlife. These marshes, which periodically become submerged, nourish and protect many sh and birds. Marsh areas also buffer upland areas from storms and help lter pollutants from water that runs off the land. Salt marshes, which are composed of salt-tolerant rushes, sedges, and grasses, occur along the shorelines of estuaries like Pensacola Bay, in areas where normal wave action is minimal. Grasses, sedges and rushes compose the freshwater marshes. Additionally, swamp lilies and wild rice are a

Sea Turtles, Sturgeon, and Manatees

Sea Turtles
Nesting season, which stretches from May to the end of October, brings sea turtles ashore on Gulf beaches, where people and predators may pose Matthew Godfrey a threat. Although three species (loggerhead, green turtle, and the leatherback) commonly nest along Floridas coastline, most nests found on our beaches belong to loggerheads. YOU CAN HELP: Never approach sea turtles coming ashore or disturb nesting sea turtles or hatchlings. Do not cast shing line toward a swimming sea turtle because it could become entangled. Preserve nesting beaches and nearshore habitats such as seagrass beds. Beachfront property owners should turn off or redirect exterior lights. Bright lights discourage nesting sea turtles from coming ashore and may disorient hatchlings. Turtles produce many eggs, but only a few hatchlings survive the difcult journey back to sea. Support public and private efforts to protect sea turtles and their habitats.

Popular Sportsh
(Fish images courtesy of Diane Rome Peebles) Glenn H. Clemmer

Anglers Catch-andRelease Guide

Most anglers are careful to release many of the sh they catch. This helps maintain healthy sh populations and ensures that there will be plenty of sh for the future. However, many sh caught and released may die because of the stress of capture and handling. A set of simple steps may be taken to greatly increase the chance of survival for released sh. How to Begin Try to set the hook quickly to prevent the sh from swallowing the bait. Use hooks that are barbless and made from metals that rust quickly. Keep release tools handy. Use circle hooks when shing with live or cut bait. Handling Your Catch Try to keep the sh in the water while removing the hook. If the sh must be handled, use only wet hands. Get the sh back in the water as quickly as possible. When handling sh, support weight of the sh horizontally with both hands. Removing the Hook Back the hook out the opposite way it went in. Cut the leader as close to the hook as possible if it cannot be quickly removed. Using a release tool is safer for the sh and for you. The Release Gently place the sh head rst in the water, supporting its body until it swims away. A sh that has been stressed by the ght or handling should be revived by moving it forward in the water to promote water ow over the gills. If a released sh does not swim away, recover it and try again.

Fishing the Seagrass Flats

Do not operate your boat in areas that are too shallow for your equipment. Use nautical and tide charts to plan your course. Never cut through seagrass beds with a propeller. Watch your prop wash for mud or plant life which may indicate that you are too shallow. Remember, prop FWC scars take years to recover! Pole or use a trolling motor when traveling across or when shing ats. Quiet anglers catch more sh. If you run aground, turn off your engine, raise the motor, and push or pole your way to deeper water. If necessary, wait for high tide to move your boat. Do not crowd another boat. If you see another boat shing on the ats, do not approach unless beckoned. The Monolament Recovery and Recycling Program (MRRP) is a statewide effort to educate the public on the problems caused by monolament line left in the environment, to encourage recycling through a network of line-recycling bins and drop-off locations, and to conduct volunteer monolament line cleanup events. Place used or old shing line in outdoor recycling bins mounted at many piers, boat ramps, and marina throughout the state. Indoor recycling bins are also available at tackles shops.

Gulf Sturgeon

Gulf sturgeon is one of three sturgeon species to live in Florida waters. It can be found in coastal rivers along Floridas Gulf coast from the Suwannee River north to the Florida-Alabama border. Sturgeon are characterized by bony plates (also called scutes) along their sides and back, as well as an asymmetrical tail. They also have a long snout, whickers (or barbels), and a tube-like mouth. Gulf sturgeon are light to dark brown on the top and sides and pale underneath. They can grow to a length of eight feet, weigh as much as 200 pounds, and live as long as 28 years. They are also known to jump as high as six feet in the air. It is believed jumping is a form of communication. Gulf sturgeon are anadromous sh, spending most of the year in coastal rivers and the rest of the year in the estuarine waters of the Gulf. Apparently, sturgeon only feed while in the estuarine waters where their tubelike mouths vacuum bottom-dwelling invertebrates, crustaceans, and worms. Pollution, poaching, habitat loss (especially spawning habitat), and dams have all led to a decline of the gulf sturgeon population in Florida. Gulf sturgeon are now protected throughout their range.

FLOUNDER: Inshore within bays near or within grass ats during spring and summer; in the Gulf beginning in the fall with the onset of colder weather REDFISH (Red Drum): Inshore near grass beds, oyster bars, and docks and pilings; deeper channels during the warmest and coolest months. SHEEPSHEAD: Inshore around oyster beds, bridges and pilings; nearshore in winter; and early spring over bottom structure and articial reefs. SPOTTED SEATROUT (Speckled Seatrout): Inshore over grass beds, sand, and sandy/mud bottoms; deeper water during warmest and coolest months. COBIA: Both inshore and nearshore around pilings, buoys, and wrecks; along beaches during spring and early summer. SPANISH MACKEREL: Inshore, nearshore, and offshore over grass beds and reefs. Absent from North Florida waters in winter. In many cases, a license is required for saltwater shing. Log on to www.MyFWC.com/marine for up-to-date information about license requirements, bag limits and seasonal closures.

Manatees
Occasionally, manatees may be found in local waters during the summer months. Manatees have a gray, seallike body that tapers to a at, paddleshaped tail. They grow to an average length of 10 feet and can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds as adults.

FWC

Manatees make their home in shallow coastal waters, bays, and springs. Collisions with boat hulls and propellers that slice their thick hides injure and kill many manatees each year. Virtually all manatees in Florida bear telltale scars of impacts with boats.

A RELEASED FISH THAT HAS BEEN HANDLED PROPERLY HAS AN EXCELLENT CHANCE OF SURVIVAL!
When diving the USS Oriskany, please remember several basic safety issues that are consistent with all scuba training: Never dive beyond your training level. Going to the deck of the Oriskany (135 feet) or beyond requires technical training. Divers should have advance training to go beyond 100 feet (however there is plenty to see above 100 feet). Divers should have advanced wreck (or cave) training to penetrate the ship in an overhead environment. No modications have been made to the ship to accommodate penetration dives. Dive your deepest part of the dive rst (whatever depth you plan to do), stay a very short time, the rest of the dive will be decompression and can be done safely. Plan your dive and dive your plan. Plan on a very slow ascent. Plan on doing a longer safety stop, perhaps 5 minutes at 15 feet (normally 3 minutes). Always stay hydrated. Always us the buddy system and know your buddys gear. Because the Oriskany is in deep water and can be affected by strong water currents, divers are strongly encouraged to use extreme caution when diving this reef. Always begin the dive into the current so you can go downstream with the current in the later part of the dive. Stay on the lee side of the island, away from the current for most of the dive, particularly the deeper part of the dive.
FWC

FWC

Birds of the Bay

Despite the environmental pressures from growth and development in the region, Pensacola Bay continues to attract a remarkable variety and number of birds. Beaches, and some inland causeways, provide nesting areas for many imperilled species. Mudats and seagrass meadows in shallow sections of the bay provide a bountiful feeding ground for resident, migrant, and wintering shorebirds. Open waters are habitat for loons, grebes, and ducks. Nesting ospreys and bald eagles can be found throughout the Pensacola Bay System.
Kenny Wilder

YOU CAN HELP: Observe posted signs that identify breeding colonies. Dont let dogs run loose in posted breeding areas. Between May and August, gulls, terns, and skimmers may nest at unmarked sites. If you discover a cloud of birds circling noisily above your picnic, you may be in a colony. Carefully pick up your belongings and leave, watching where the birds settle. Choose a spot 100 yards away and enjoy the view. If a bird becomes entangled in shing gear, carefully remove the hook and monolament line. Or while walking along the beach, pick up any stray shing line and dispose of it properly. Birds and other animals that ingest or become entangled in shing line may die. Report injured seabirds that require assistance. Consult the Boating and Angling Guide Resource Directory for appropriate listings. Stay clear of areas that may harbor nesting colonies and of areas where ocks of feeding birds are visible. Operators of personal watercraft, wave-runners, and airboats should be aware that the noise and prop-wash from their vessels disturb wildlife and may disrupt nesting and feeding. Remember: The best way to observe and enjoy wildlife is by being quiet and moving slowly. A few extra minutes can pay rare dividends.
Kenny Wilder

USS Oriskany (CVA-34) on April 27,1959, off the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, California (US Navy, Naval Historical Center)

SHOW YOU CARE ABOUT THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

Residents and visitors alike share the waters of Pensacola Bay and coastal beaches with a magnicent array of birds and marine animals, including species that are threatened or endangered. Boaters should be on the lookout for these creatures and take special care to protect them and to preserve their habitats. Always stow trash carefully for disposal on shore, and make it a policy to pick up plastics and other marine debris encountered while underway. Carelessly discarded trash can trap and kill birds, sh, and other marine animals. When fueling boats, be especially careful not to top off the tank, allowing gas to spill. Small toxic spills add up quickly. Sewage from holding tanks should be discarded only at approved pump-out stations and marinas.

Diving the USS

The Oriskany Reef was deployed on the morning of May 17, 2006 at a depth of 212 feet, approximately 22.5 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass (302.6N, 870.3967W). The exact position was selected because it had the water depth to allow the ship to be reefed and maintain the 55foot navigational clearance required by US Army Corps of Engineers permit. Because the ship is wider than it is tall, and there was no guarantee that the ship would not land on her side, the ships 157-foot beam was used to determine the water depth. The Oriskany landed on the exact planned coordinates, and is sitting perfectly upright on the seaoor with the bow facing due south.

Maintaining these bird populations in growing metropolitan areas is challenging. Many species populations are declining, and some have virtually disappeared due to loss and disruption of habitat.
Larry Lynch

Dont Release Aquarium Specimens Into Local Waters

Many nonnative aquatic species are nding their way into Floridas coast waters. When new animals and plants are introduced into an area, they often cannot survive there and die. However, if they can survive in the new area, they can begin to compete with native species and may end up displacing native plants and animals. This can result in major changes to the environment. For more information about marine invasive species, please visit www.MyFWC.com/nonnatives/ or visit http://nas.er.usgs.gov/.

USS Oriskany prior to sinking on May 17, 2006 (FWC)

For more information about the USS Oriskany, visit www.MyFWC.com/ar.

DIVER DOWN FLAG It is REQUIRED BY LAW to display this flag when divers are in the water. Boaters in the vicinity of a vessel displaying the diver down flag must give 100' clearance inshore or 300' clearance in open waters. A flag displayed on a vessel must be 20" by 24" or larger. Flags attached to a buoy or float must be 12" by 12" or larger. A stiffener is also required to keep the flag unfurled.