Publications

SG 01
Atlas of Artificial Reefs in Florida - 5th Edition (1997)
This guide is currently out of print. Loan copies are available without charge through the National Sea Grant Library. For current reef information please visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Provides a guide to locations and characteristics of more than 200 permitted artificial reefs constructed for fishing and diving purposes in Florida's coastal waters. Locations are given by longitude-latitude coordinates, Loran C coordinates, and distance from the nearest land projectory. Also provides depth of reef and type of material used. View PDF

SGEB 011
Fisheries Biology for Everyone
Hand-lettered manuscript presents fisheries biology in an informal way, bringing to life information useful to any user of living marine resources--particularly fishermen. Includes definitions of fisheries management terminology, development of a life history of fish, and the concept of stock assessment. Can also be used in secondary school level marine biology courses. References are included. Out of Print. View PDF

SGEB 025a
A Tackle Box Guide to: Common Saltwater Fishes on Southwest Florida (waterproof edition)
Includes taxonomically correct drawings for 86 species selected as the most frequently encountered in Florida's waters. Important information about distinguishing features, biology/habitat, and fishing methods is also provided. The often confusing common nicknames applied to each fish are noted.
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SGEB 039
Harvest and Identification of Peeler Crabs
Peeler crabs are simply hard shell blue crabs ("Callinectes sapidus") that show signs of molting. Identification of pre-molt crabs is the key to the success of soft shell crab operations. Keys to their successful identification and harvest are covered on this placard. View PDF

SGEB 041
Fathom - Special Issue: Florida's Sharks (1996)
Contains photos and feature stories of shark management and research efforts in Florida. View online

SGEB 049
Perspectives on an Artificial Habitat Program for Fishes of the Cuban Shelf (English & Spanish)
A brief analysis (in English and Spanish) of the basics of artificial reefs, as well as the methods and techniques in use. A methodology for national development is proposed. View PDF

SGEB 58
Artificial Reef Monitoring in Florida Coastal Counties
Describes the extent and nature of artificial reef monitoring in Florida counties (2003), how data are managed and aspects of communication. A principal readership willl be the network of county-level organizations and individuals whose largely independent efforts, taken as a composite, make up much of the Florida reef "program." View PDF

SGEF 046
Venting - A Guide to Releasing Reef Fish with Ruptured Swimbladders
If reeling in a grouper causes its swimbladder to rupture, gases escape into the fish body cavity. A hollow venting tool releases the trapped gas, allowing the fish to return to safe depths. (This guide is currently out of print - see SGEF 162).
View PDF   View online

SGEF 108
Circle Hooks (English)
Circle hooks have been used by commercial fishermen for decades to efficiently catch fish. The unique hook shape causes the hook to slide towards the point of resistance and embed itself in the jaw or in the corner of the fish’s mouth. View PDF   Also Available on Edis

SGEF 109
Circle Hooks (Spanish)
Los pescadores comerciales han usado los anzuelos circulares durante décadas debido a que capturán los peces eficientemente. La forma del anzuelo hace que éste se deslice hacia el punto de resistencia y se ensarte en la mandíbula o en la esquina de la boca del pez. La forma curva del anzuelo evita que se enganche en la cavidad de las vísceras o en la garganta. Veiw PDF

SGEF 110
What Happened After the Net Ban?
Brief report which describes some of the observable changes that have occurred since, but not necessarily as a direct result of, the net ban. Primary focus of the report is directed toward the commercial seafood industry. View online

SGEF 117
Since the Net Ban: Changes on Commercial Fishing Sponges
In November 1994, the Florida net ban was approved by voters, which made it unlawful to use entangling nets (i.e., gill and trammel) in Florida's waters. This fact sheet presents statistical data showing some changes that have occurred since, but not necessarily as a result of the net ban, including volume and value of dockside landings, condition of stocks of net-caught species, and changes in family-owned commercial fishing businesses. View PDF

SGEF 119
The Biology and Fishery of Florida's Commercial Sponges
Florida is an important producer of commercial sponges worldwide. This fact sheet reviews the history of commercial sponging and examines the importance of sponges to the ecology of Florida waters. View PDF   

SGEF 120
Fish Facts for Florida Consumers - Blue Crab
Blue crab ranks high on the list of seafood delicacies in Florida. This publication presents a step-by-step illustrated guide to cleaning crabs, and discusses the economics of purchasing prepared crab meat or whole crabs. Revised May 2007. View PDF   Also Available on Edis

SGEF 121
Release Techniques for Marine Fishes
Proper release of marine fishes has become increasingly important to anglers. To maintain healthy fish populations, each angler is responsible for fishing legally, carefully handling fish that are hooked and releasing fish that are not harvested so they can spawn or perhaps be caught again. View PDF   Also available on Edis

SGEF 144
Artificial Reefs: The Florida Sea Grant Connection
Artificial reefs can serve the purposes of enhancing recreational fishing opportunities, creating scuba diving sites, and mitigating damage to ocean habitat. The various projects described here are part of Florida Sea Grant's decades of involvement in the research and promotion of this technology. View PDF

SGEF 146
Common Sharks of Florida
Florida's shark population is diverse and includes species that range in size from only a few feet to more than 40 feet in total length. Experts caution sea-goers to beware of larger sharks, but these are not the predominant species that a person is likely to come across in Florida waters. View PDF   Also Available on Edis

SGEF 153
Recreational Harvesting of the Florida Bay Scallop
Scallops are a popular catch in hot summer months, and thanks to recent restoration efforts, portions of the west coast once closed to scalloping have reopened. View PDF

SGEF 162
Venting - A Guide to Releasing Reef Fish with Ruptured Swimbladders
If reeling in a grouper causes its swimbladder to rupture, gases escape into the fish body cavity. A hollow venting tool releases the trapped gas, allowing the fish to return to safe depths.
View PDF   View online

SGEF 166
A Practical Guide to Assembling and Using a Fish Resuscitation System for Florida Catch-and-Release Fishing Tournaments
Catch-and-release tournaments increasingly use a fish resuscitation system to enhance survival of released fish. This guide provides all the basic information necessary to assemble a fish resuscitation system, and provides instructions for using it safely and successfully.
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SGEF 169
Florida's Marine Sponges: Exploring the Potential and Protecting the Resource
Sponges are living, valuable residents of Florida's coastal ecosystems. The long-term study that Sea Grant extension faculty has conducted on Florida sponge populations is helping ensure the sustainability of this resource for future generations. This fact sheet provides a cultural and natural history of marine sponges in the state.
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SGR 026
Economic Impacts of the Processing and Marketing of Commercial Florida Marine Landings (1979)
Provides basic economic research which can be applied to specific problems faced in the marketing and processing of commercially landed marine fish in Florida. Out of print. View PDF

SGR 107
Composting and Using By-Products From Blue Crab & Calico Scallop Processing Plants in Florida (1992)
Blue crab and calico scallop processing plant residues traditionally are landfilled, creating unique waste management problems. Alternative methods to landfilling were investigated including in-plant compacting; anaerobic bioconversion potential; composting; compost marketing; use of compost on crops; and nematode control using compost. General recommendations are listed. To order

SGR 109
A Nutrient Database for Southeastern Seafoods (1992)
Previously available references on the nutrient composition of seafoods come from a variety of sources. This handbook was developed as a more unified, accurate and readily available summary of nutrient data for 262 southeastern species of finfish, crustaceans, and molluscs. View PDF

SGR 111
Current and Projected Tourist Demand for Saltwater Recreational Fisheries in FL (1993)
Estimates the current and projected demand by tourists visiting Florida for saltwater recreational fisheries. A survey of 3,900 tourists visiting Florida revealed higher participation rates among males, non-whites, those arriving by auto, those exposed to fishing as a child, and those making more trips to Florida per year. View PDF

SGR 112
A Regional Analysis of Current and Future Florida Resident Participation in Marine Recreational Fishing
A comprehensive look at the demographics of resident saltwater angling in Florida. Survey results show regional preferences and participation, expenditures, number of trips, fish targeted, and other factors relating to the more than two million Floridians who go saltwater angling in state waters each year. Includes projections on resident saltwater angling through the year 2010. View PDF

SGR 116
The Performance of Florida's Spiny Lobster Trap Certification Program (1998)
Assesses the performance of the trap certificate program (TCP) for the Florida commercial spiny lobster fishery, established in 1992 to relieve increased congestion and conflict on the water, excessive mortality of undersized lobsters, a declining yield per trap, and public concern over petroleum and debris pollution from existing traps. In summary, the Florida spiny lobster TCP has fulfilled the initial expectations of the program by reducing the total number of traps and increasing the yield per trap. View PDF

SGR 117
Bioeconomic Models of the Florida Commercial Spiny Lobster Fishery
Determines the total number of traps that would maximize the net economic benefits in the spiny lobster fishery, and tests the general hypothesis that previous regulatory actions have achieved a sustainable, economically optimal number of traps in the fishery. View PDF

TP 073
Recreational Anglers' Valuation of Near-Shore Marine Fisheries in Florida
Fishing expenditures only measure the cost of going fishing; they are not a measure of economic value. This report describes and summarizes the results from a state-wide survey of Florida resident saltwater anglers designed to provide estimates of the economic value anglers place on marginal changes in management of selected near-shore marine species. View PDF

TP 089
Commercial Fisheries' Perceptions of Marine Reserves for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
National concerns prompted the U.S. Congress to enact the 1990 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Act. This report presents the results of a survey in the Florida Keys of commercial fishers' perceptions and attitudes about NOAA's Draft Management Plan and the proposed replenishment reserves. Survey results suggest strong differences in expectations between commercial fishers in the Keys and advocates of marine reserves for fisheries management. View PDF

TP 101
The Impacts of Florida Net Ban on Commercial Fishing Families
Presents a detailed description of the methods and results of Florida Sea Grant research on the family impacts of the Florida "net ban." The ban proved to be a traumatic event that permanently altered a "way of life" for traditional families and fishing dependent communities, and had unintended social and environmental consequences. Nevertheless, the families appeared to remain resilient and able to cope effectively.
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TP 114
Biological and Economic Modeling and Assessment of Limited Entry Strategies in Multi-Species Fisheries in South Florida (2001)
Assesses the operational impacts on the spiny lobster fishery, and the biological and economic consequences on Florida's stone crab fishery in Monroe County, FL. Efforts to address management issues in these congested fisheries have historically been approached on a single-species basis, an approach that fails to account for a commercial fisher's participation in two or more fisheries. View PDF

TP 123
A Histological Atlas of Florida Surgeonfish
Edited by Chris Tilghman, Ruth Francis-Floyd, and RuthEllen Klinger. A valuable histological reference focusing on two species of surgeonfish: the Atlantic blue tang (Acanthurus coeruleus) and the ocean surgeonfish (A. bahianus). Tissues examined are heart, brain, kidney, hepatopancreas, spleen, intestine, stomach, skin, fin, and gills. Intended for trained pathologists, veterinarians, and others who attempt histopathological diagnostics. View Online   View PDF

TP 136
Proceedings of the 2004 Florida Artifcial Reef Summit
This includes the proceedings from the 2004 Artificial Reef Summit. April 27-28, 2004. Sararsota, FL. View PDF


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