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20 images Created 7 Jul 2021

Urban Pioneers: Floridas Marine Wildlife

As an impenetrable swampland, South Florida was one of the final frontiers for modern development in the Unites States. As such, it had an incredibly productive natural environment that supported a profusion of wildlife. In more recent times, a rapidly increasing human population has turned the region into an urban jungle, but it seems that its marine inhabitants are finding ways to survive, often with the help of local researchers and conservationists.

This story was developed with support from the Save Our Seas Foundation’s Marine Conservation Photography Grant.
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  • Following investigation by the University of Miami’s shark-tagging team, a blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus is released back into Biscayne Bay opposite the Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station.
    Florida_01.jpg
  • Hundreds of party-goers flock to the Haulover Sandbar on the Intracoastal Waterway north of Miami during the Fourth of July Independence Day holiday.
    Florida_02.jpg
  • Established in 1963, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park off the Florida Keys was the first undersea park declared in the USA. Healthy coral reefs, sea-grass beds and mangrove ecosystems thrive within the protected waters of the park.
    Florida_03.jpg
  • As sea levels rise, they are threatening premium stretches of beachfront in front of multi-million-dollar condiminiums. Beach restoration is a common preventative measure on beaches in South Florida. Many of these sites overlap with turtle nesting habitat.
    Florida_04.jpg
  • Dr Jeanette Wyneken  of Florida Atlantic University examines a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) that is returning to the sea after nesting on Juno Beach. A major focus of Dr Wyneken’s research is to study the adaptation of the turtles to urban threats. This individual was photographed using red torchlight, in accordance with permit MTP16-073.
    Florida_05.jpg
  • The Gulf Stream pushes nutrient-rich waters along the east coast of Florida, providing a buffet for this rich ecosystem. Shark diving and game fishing are the major tourism activities in these waters and often sharks, such as this silky shark (Carcharinus falciformis) bear of evidence of encounters with humans during the latter pursuit.
    Florida_06.jpg
  • Dr Kim Bassos-Hull of the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium investigates the life history, reproduction and population status of the spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari), a species that is protected in Florida but vulnerable in the rest of its range.
    Florida_07.jpg
  • A land crab battles for space in an area that has been subject to heavy urban developmenton on Key Biscayne.
    Florida_08.jpg
  • Historically the Florida Keys was a celebrated destination for big game fishermen, with large sharks being prized catch. Today there has been a shift in public attitudes towards sharks, with Floridians being more tolerant, respectful and conservation minded.
    Florida_09.jpg
  • Tourists flock to Robbie’s Marina on Islamorada to feed tarpon (Megalops atlanticus). Before casting off they have the opportunity to see various representatives of the local wildlife, including tarpon, lemon sharks and manatees.
    Florida_10.jpg
  • Trash turns to treasure for marine life beneath Blue Heron Bridge as discarded shopping trolleys placed by recreational divers provide habitat for invertebrates and reef fishes. Florida has one of the most active artificial reef programmes in the USA, allocating significant funds annually to the development of artificial reefs.
    Florida_11.jpg
  • A nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is secured alongside a University of Miami research vessel near downtown Miama. The research is part of a project investigating shark movements and habitat use in urban environments.
    Florida_12.jpg
  • Leila Atallah-Benson, a Masters student with the University of Miami’s Shark Research & Conservation Program says that tiger sharks represent everything that she aspires to be: a strong, healing, independent soul driven by the will to survive and embodied by pure grace, elegance, beauty and power. Here she prepares a set line in front of the downtown Miami skyline for the urban shark-tagging project.
    Florida_13.jpg
  • A Juvenile brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) watches the passing crowd att Robbie's Marina on Islamorada,. Robbies is a gateway for rourists to explore the the Florida Keys on charter vessels that offer kayaking, snorkelling, diving, fishing and partying.
    Florida_14.jpg
  • Loggerhead Marinelife Centre at Juno Beach is committed to the rehabilitation of sick and injured sea turtles. It’s prime goal is to return each rehabilitated turtle, including this loggerhead (Caretta caretta) to the ocean as quickly as possible.
    Florida_15.jpg
  • Marine debris are considered a major emerging threat to marine residents of the waters off Florida’s coat. On release after research, this juvenile leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) passed by a plastic bag in off Jupiter Beach.
    Florida_16.jpg
  • Veterinarians at the Loggerhead Marinelife Centre do regular check-ups of the turtles in their care to monitor their rehabilitation. The centre is equipped with a surgical suite, X-ray room, blood work lab, endoscope and ultra sound to carry ourt a stringent treatment protocol from treatment to release.
    Florida_17.jpg
  • Floridians enjoy morning walks and sunbathing while in the shallows a massive school of baitfish passes one of the many inviting beaches located between the Intercoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean north of Miami.
    Florida_18.jpg
  • Paul Verian of Finn-Atic Fish Co. bags a speared lionfish Pterois volitans off Fort Lauderdale. Commercially exploited to supply restaurants throughout the USA, this invasive species is thought to have been introduced through the aquarium trade. In the absence of predators, it has thrived off Florida and in the Caribbean.
    Florida_19.jpg
  • Dr Mahmood Shivji, director of the Guy Harvey Research Institute and Save Our Seas Shark Research Center (Nova Southeastern University), examines a shark fin. A major focus of his research is the application of modern molecular genetic techniques to investigate trade-related issues in elasmobranchs.
    Florida_20.jpg