Seasonal Guide to Marine Fauna

The Gulf of Mexico, bays, sounds, and inlets provide bountiful waters that Florida's marine fauna call home. Gulf Islands National Seashore is surrounded on one side by estuaries and the other by the sea. Estuaries are where rivers meet the sea, dynamic systems where waters are fresher. They constitute some of the most productive habitats in nature. On the Gulf side, a sandy beach with no vegetation, under constant siege from storm-stirred seas, seems an unlikely setting for fish. Nevertheless, the water quality is usually high. Seaweed wrack produces nutrients for this community, and hardy creatures in abundance find the surf habitat just right for their needs.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Florida marine fauna is the constant repetition of the question, "What is it?" Small wonder. Florida's waters have more than 1,000 species of marine species, all of them interesting. Here's a list of marine species you might see when you visit.

Spring (March-May)

Fishing: bluefish, croaker, grouper, sea trout, snapper, blue crab, and shrimp

Other marine occurrences: Atlantic bottlenose dolphin close inshore

Summer (June-September)

Fishing: saltwater mullet, bluefish, croaker, sea trout, snapper, blue crab, shrimp

Other marine occurrences: loggerhead and green sea turtles nesting on Gulf beaches,

Stinging and non-stinging jellyfish close inshore,

Phosphorescent plankton glowing in night waters.

Fall (October-November)

Fishing: flounder, saltwater mullet, bluefish, croaker, grouper, red fish, sea trout, snapper

Winter (December-February)

Fishing: flounder, king mackerel, bluefish, croaker, grouper, saltwater mullet, red fish, sea trout, snapper

For the protection of the marine environment, please respect the following regulations:

• A saltwater fishing license is required. Know your legal requirements. Licenses are available at local fish shops.

• Release unwanted fish. Remember, unless you eat it or use it for bait, it MUST be returned to the water immediately.

• Dispose of garbage in proper receptacles.

• Do not walk on submerged sea grass beds.

• Educate others on proper fishing etiquette.

• Recycle monofilament fishing line.

• Know your bag limits and protected species.

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Last Updated: 1/6/03
Webmaster Gulf Islands
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