Waterways Television Series

Researchers track a mysterious epidemic decimating sea fan populations in the Florida Keys and a look at how landscaping using native plants can beautify your yard while conserving water and energy.

The Dolphin Ecology Project studies dolphin populations throughout the Florida Keys to provide a baseline for how they respond to Everglades restoration; how to take care of your boat and the environment; and diving and snorkeling techniques that will keep you and the coral reef safe.

Following vulnerable turtle hatchlings from their rescue on a beach in the backcountry of the Florida Keys through their release in the Gulfstream; a look at the highly territorial three-spot damselfish.

Aquanauts talk about what it's like to live and work underwater in this new episode which looks at the National Marine Sanctuaries mission in the Aquarius Underwater Habitat, located at Conch Reef off Key Largo.

Banding hawks and falcons on their fall migration through the Florida Keys helps researchers learn more about population trends; scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory tag bull and hammerhead sharks in an effort to determine the effects these top predators have on the ocean food chain.

Dave Eaken of the Florida Marine Research Institute and Nancy Diersing of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary explain what seagrass is and why it's important and offer a look at some of the interesting creatures that inhabit seagrass beds in the Florida Keys.

Students learn science in the ultimate classroom of Everglades National Park in the interagency Hands on the Land program; more about one of South Florida's most beautiful birds, the roseate spoonbill.

Sanctuary and state biologists and enforcement staff detail the problems caused by illegal artificial reefs meant to attract lobster; restoring historic Loggerhead Key in Dry Tortugas National Park.

Researchers monitor plant populations and water conditions in Taylor Slough, a vital link between the Everglades and Florida Bay; introducing the wonders of national parks to more than just the usual visitors; and a little bit about the lives of hogfish.

Florida Marine Research Institute staff transplant Queen Conch in an attempt to increase the reproduction of this mollusk, once common to Florida waters and a researcher looks at how the mating rituals of the Gulf pipefish may help us learn more about gender roles in humans.

Researchers and refuge staff track white-crowned pigeons in an effort to learn how development in the Key West area is affecting them, rangers explain how illegal dumping harms the East Everglades, Youth Conservation Corps offers young people the chance to earn money helping to restore native habitats in Everglades National Park.

Tagging turtles in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge provides information on numbers and health of these ancient creatures, tracking songbirds during migration shows the importance of the Florida Keys as bird "superhighways".

Coral biologists describe efforts underway to monitor the health of the Florida Keys coral reef tract and explain recent progress in finding the cause of one coral disease.

Graduate marine biology students help Biscayne National Park tend a coral nursery to replenish reefs damaged by boat groundings and hydrologists work to restore the Turner River in Big Cypress National Preserve.

A comprehensive look at threats local wastewater and stormwater runoff pose to the coral reef ecosystem of the Florida Keys and how communities such as Key West are working toward solutions.

You are what you eat - scientists from Audubon's Tavernier Science Center study the abundance and type of prey fish available to roseate spoonbills during wet and dry seasons in Florida Bay; biking provides a great way to view the splendor of the Everglades.

In this episode of Waterways, we look at the intimidating array of armaments that made historic Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas the guardian of the Gulf of Mexico; deep diving techniques and a partnership among government, research and volunteer divers help uncover the history of a nearly untouched shipwreck, the Queen of Nassau, off Islamorada in the Florida Keys.

In this episode of Waterways, researchers discuss the importance of Long-spine sea urchin to the coral reef ecosystem and talk about two projects to help restore the species to the Florida Keys and... Leslie Whaylen of Reef Environmental Education Foundation describes the secret lives of groupers.

In this episode of Waterways, we examine the science and the potential benefits behind creating no take zones and closing parts of the ocean to fishing in marine protected areas (or MPAs) and... centers throughout the Florida Keys work to undue the harm done by humans to wild birds with wild bird centers.

In this episode of Waterways, we interview Florida Bay fishing guides and they reveal changing attitudes and changing issues in this fabled fishing ground of Fishing Florida Bay and... taking out the trash poses special challenges in the island city of Key West in Key West Trash Removal.

In this episode of Waterways, biologists join hands with commercial divers to restore a coral reef torn apart by a freighter , an underwater survey teams monitors the reef's return to health in Wellwood Restoration and... how to make viewing wild dolphins more enjoyable, for you and for them in Wild Dolphin Encounters.

In this episode of Waterways, we track populations of the American crocodile in South Florida that shows the importance of habitat and natural water flows to this reclusive reptile's success in American Crocodile and... the science behind a new No Discharge Zones for boat sewage in the Florida Keys.

In this episode of Waterways, we explore a critical central wastewater treatment project in the Florida Keys nears completion in Little Venice Project where water quality monitoring protocols are in place to track its success and... students from a Florida Keys high school learn firsthand about the hard work and high cost of or restoring damage done by boats to seagrass meadows in Seagrass Restoration, a Class Project.

In this episode of Waterways, by monitoring populations of the mangrove (gray) snapper, University of Miami Graduate Rosenthiel School students keep track of overall mangrove health in Gray Snapper Studies . and... The FL DEP program 'Clean Marinas' which encourages marinas to be 'eco-friendly'.

In this episode of Waterways, Everglades biologist Sonny Bass talks about Alligators in the Everglades as Lori Oberhoffer visits alligator nests, counting eggs and hatches and.. Matt Patterson coordinates the Inventory and Monitoring Program, collecting data on all species that live within their borders, at U.S. national parks in South Florida and the Caribbean.

In this episode of Waterways, we look at Tarpon in South Florida, the 'Silver King', is essential to the Keys and South Florida economy, so non-profit organization BTU (Bonefish and Tarpon Unlimited) was started to address issues surround Tarpon and their environment and... the Submerged Resource Inventory Team have documented the locations of over 300 shipwrecks in Keys waters helping the Marine Sanctuary protect cultural resources in the Bunn Cannon Project.

In this episode of Waterways, we look at the history of the South Florida Pink Shrimp Fishery and the relationship between fresh water and shrimp nurseries and current trends as Tom Jackson uses seine nets to count populations of Pink Shrimp larvae and... Burmese Pythons, an exotic snake, infiltrate Everglades National Park. How Park biologists are trying to stay ahead of the problem

In this episode of Waterways, Brian Mealey, through his foundation, Institute for Wildlife Sciences, monitors the health of Florida Bay by monitoring the Diamondback Terrapin. This estuarine turtle is fitted with transmitters for easier tracking and... Scientists discover a fatal virus that attacks juvenile lobsters in Juvenile lobster Disease.

In this episode of Waterways, the Keys Paddling Community joins forces with the FL DEP department of Greenways and Trails to establish the Florida Keys Overseas Kayaking Trail, which would enable kayaks and canoes trips that span the length of the Keys and... Exotic Fish released from the aquarium trade and fish markets flood the Everglades with exotic fish- Park biologists try and get a handle on the problem in Exotic Fish in the Everglades.

Brian Mealey continues his composite of Florida Bay health by tracking and monitoring the Mangrove Water Snake (also called the Mangrove Salt Marsh Snake) on the mangrove islands in Florida Bay. The snakes are captured at night when they come out to feed. AND- The NOAA National Weather Service has been protecting the Keys by alerting locals about impending weather, a very important role for a community that makes a living on the water (interviewed: Matt Strahan NWS).

In this episode of Waterways, scientists and Research managers discuss the importance of Hard Bottom Habitat in Keys waters (which comprise 30-40 percent of the shallow sea floor) as they continue a monitoring project to detect changes in the hard-bottom ecosystems and... Channel Markers are the road signs for boaters in waters surrounding the Keys. Navigation is difficult, but by efforts from the Park Service, Monroe County Marine Resources Dept and the Coast Guard, boaters are less likely to run their boats aground.

In this episode of Waterways, there are hundreds of beautiful species of animals in South Florida and the Florida Keys-from the Manatee to the Panther to Alligators, Crocodiles and Spoonbills- as well as all the creatures on the reef. Waterways takes the viewer on a journey throughout this area to explore the critters of South Florida.

In this episode of Waterways, Cape Sable on the south west coast of Florida is the perfect study area to examine erosion and the effects of hurricanes and rising ocean levels. University of Miami doctoral candidate Brigitte Vlaswinkel spends many days a month tracking changes in sediment deposits and... NOAA staff comes from all around the country to Florida Keys Community College to learn NOAA Advanced Diver Techniques for use in jobs varying from boat maintenance to marine science.

The endangered bald eagle captures the imagination and passion of many. The population in the Keys is the second largest in the lower 48 states. Brian Mealey of the Institute of Wildlife Sciences ventures into the heart of Florida Bay, tagging baby bald eagles and fitting them with a transmitter in order to track their movements, plus Chris Humprey and Derke Snodgrass teach the audience the proper catch and release techniques as they fish Florida Bay for ladyfish, redfish and snappers.

A massive dolphin stranding off of Marathon Florida (up to 60 animals) tests the abilities of the newly established Marine Mammal Stranding Network, bringing together many non-profit and government agencies in an effort to save the animals- and learn about the cause of their distress (Interviewed: Becky Arnold, Savanna Animal Hospital; Sara Gomez, NOAA; Josh Harrington, Coast Guard; Celeste Weiner, FL Keys Marine Mammal Rescue Team ; Blair Mase-Guthrie, NOAA ; Ruth Ewing, NOAA).

Americas first environmental martyr, Guy Bradley, who worked for the Audubon at the turn of the century out of Flamingo in the Everglades was killed for trying to protect plume birds. Waterways explores his life and the aftermath of his death. (Interviewed: Stu McIver, author of 'Death in the Everglades).

The Smalltooth Sawfish are endangered and extremely rare in South Florida. That is why Tonya Wiley of Mote Marine Lab's Center for Shark Research (sawfish are a close relative of the shark) fishes Florida Bay- to track and attach transponders to sawfish; in addition to collecting data on sawfish catches. AND- Marine Life Collectors are commercial fishermen (and women) who collect tropical fish, sponges, corals etc from the Keys and ship them to aquarists across the country. How the Sanctuary juggles the exploitation and conservation of this important resource and how some Marine Life Collectors help the Marine Sanctuary (Interviewed: Ken Nedimyer; Billy Causey, NOAA).

Suitable Spoonbill Nesting Keys are failing in Florida Bay in part because of increased boat traffic. Jerry Lorenz from the Audubon Tavernier Science Center discovers predation of spoonbill chicks and eggs by crows and night herons when boats scare the parents off the nests, plus, a mystery ship wreck south of Marathon is explored by NOAA archeologists and the Florida Bureau of Archeology to determine the identity of the ship and the circumstances surrounding the wreck- furthering the goals of protecting and preserving cultural resources in the Keys. (Interviewed: Bruce Terrell, NOAA; Dr. Roger Smith, FL Bureau of Archeology.)

The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is underway to 're-plumb' South Florida and prevent flooding while also reducing effects of droughts. These changes must be done in a way that maintains the integrity of the natural flow of water that wildlife depends upon. This episode explores the history of water flow from the 1800's through the 1950's.

There are over 300 Bone fishing Guides in South Florida making for an industry that generates hundreds of millions of dollars. This is because the biggest bonefish in the world are in South Florida; size does matter. We follow Mike Larkin as he inserts acoustic tags into the stomach of bonefish in Biscayne Bay and tracks their movements. (Also interviewed: Chico Fernandez), and -- A look at 10 years of Waterways. Originally called 'Sounding Lines', the Waterways show has been through many incarnations, and we take the viewer behind the scenes. (Interviewed: Billy Causey, Erik Hutchins).

The magnificent Osprey only eats fish. This makes the Ospreys in South Florida supremely suitable for detecting anomalies in the ecosystem- like mercury levels in Florida Bay. The mercury from fish bio-accumulates in the Ospreys and Brian Mealey from the Institute of Wildlife Sciences ventures into the bay to monitor and tag ospreys. AND -- The invasive exotic Australian Pine, is more than a nuisance; The Australian Pine threaten wildlife by supplanting native vegetation and creating mono-cultures that cannot be utilized by migrating birds and butterflies. The Nature Conservancy has funding to remove all Australian Pines, but they need permission for removal on private property. In state parks, there has been varying levels of success at removing the Australian Pines. (Interviewed: Alison Higgins, Mark Knapke, Kathryn Close).

Much has been claimed about how nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) effect Florida Bay. Claims without scientific backing are useless to resource managers, so Dr. Jim Fourqurean from Florida International University (FIU) has undertaken a study in which he selectively adds these nutrients to experimental plots in Florida Bay. What he has found in the nearshore bay seagrass discounts much of the debate. (Interviewed: Dr. Jim Fourqurean, Anna Armitage) AND -- A resource manager dreams of a day when growing corals is as easy as growing a bougainvillea plant on land. Underwater coral nurseries could help maintain the wild populations. Furthering those hopes, Kelly Nedimyer, the daughter of a local marine life collector, galvanizes a group of young divers to cultivate a nursery for Staghorn corals. Staghorn coral is an important reef-building-branching-coral that has seen more than 90% mortality in the last 10 years in the Florida Keys. (Interviewed: Ken Nedimyer, Kelly Nedimyer, Billy Causey)

Preparing for disasters within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Is necessary to minimize disaster impacts on the natural and cultural resource. That is why NOAA conducted drills composing a myriad of government organizations from NOAA, to the USEPA to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (around 150 people total) in case an oil tanker runs aground or boaters are lost at sea etc. Called 'Safe Sanctuaries' interviews include . AND- Wild Turkey Re-introduction to the Pinelands in the Everglades through an effort with the Wild Turkey Federation.

The Florida Panther is the most endangered carnivore in the eastern United States. Employees of Everglades National Park and of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission track panther movements using radio collars. About every two years the batteries must be replaced and cameras are there to capture the action (Interviewed: Sonny Bass, Mark Knopf). AND- Even as technology advances the ability to collect scientific data, there is no replacing the need for 'boots on the ground'. Lisa Obelman-Lobello from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission travels the Florida Keys visiting bridges, docks and marinas talking with anglers who target snook

Technology is helping resource managers in many ways. For lobster fishery managers tagging lobsters with sonic tags has proven to be an effective tool in learning new things about the Florida Spiny Lobster (interviewed Rod Bertelson from FWC). AND-Following the leads from myths and legends, a graduate student from University of Miami searches for the elusive freshwater springs in Biscayne Bay; underground rivers will be changing as the Everglades goes through restoration which will effect the salinity and ecology of Biscayne Bay (interviewed: Dr Hal Wanless and Christina Gonzalez)

The Florida Keys has seen many changes in the way people make money: Wrecking, Turtling, Sponging, Cigar Making have all become history, but could commercial fishing and boat houses become history as well? The Working Waterfronts in the Keys are being changed into gated, high-end resorts and condos. Is there anything Keys residents can do to change the loss of working waterfronts? (Interviewed: Rich Jones, Ed Little, Commissioner George Nugent and Bruce Popham) AND- Species Spotlight on the Brown Pelican. This ubiquitous bird, seen at docks and waterfronts throughout South Florida has made a great comeback since the banning of DDT.

Throughout the United States the adopt-a-highway program has been very successful at keeping the highways free of trash and debris. Similarly, a program called Adopt-a-Reef has been keeping the Florida Keys Reef clean from fishing line and other marine trash. Through partnerships with dive shops and the dive community, everyone who spends time underwater can contribute to protecting this delicate natural resource. AND- The Nature Conservancy in the Florida Keys takes on the suppliers of exotic and invasive exotic plants. Through their project Green Thumb Certified, they are enlisting the support of nurseries in the Florida Keys to stop selling plants that are harmful to Keys ecology (interviewed: Alison Higgins, Julia Rust-Woods).

Lighthouses were always and continue to be a beacon for mariners in the Florida Keys. This segment of Waterways takes the viewer on a historical journey, exploring these lighthouses and sharing what is happening today with these wonderful structures. (interviewed: Tom Hambright, Jerry Wilkenson, Gordon Lang, Jesse Hyatt) AND -- Underwater archeologists from NOAA further explore shipwrecks on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Shipwreck Trail and create Photo Mosaics- High Resolution photo montages of the wrecks using their own invention- a scooter with a video camera attached (interviewed: Tane Casserly and Brenda Altmeier).

No longer do you need to be a diver or a snorkeler to enjoy the wonders of the Sanctuary, through the NOAA funded Photo Mosaic Project, underwater archeologists are now delivering images of Keys Shipwreck, detailed, high-resolution-photo-mosaics... to anyone who is interested in learning more about South Florida's rich maritime heritage. AND In 1947, little was known about the microscopic algae that can kill fish and other marine life and cause discomfort to humans. Today, red tides are a regular event in Florida's Gulf waters, occasionally reaching to the Florida Keys. The term "red tide" can be misleading. Harmful algal bloom, a less catchy but more accurate term, can turn waters shades of green and brown, in addition to red.

Coral Seeding Study in Bicayne National Park AND Florida Bay Map and Guide. How does coral settle? What are the cues that coral need to settle? And how do they manage to keep themselves alive in their first couple of years when they basically the most yummy thing on the reef? 

We explore the newly established Research Natural Area (RNA) in the Tortugas a marine area that is protected from harvesting; established in an area known for spawning aggregations, this protection could help replenish stock downstream. AND Buoy Maintenance in the Sanctuary is important because the buoys keep people from putting their anchors into fragile corals and other important benthic and seagrass habitat. Here is what it takes to maintain those buoys.

To answer these kinds of questions, researchers collect coral larvae and study them in the laboratory. AND The flats of Florida Bay, the beauty is matched only by their inaccessibility; for those who can navigate the maze of channels, sublime experiences await... but for those who are overly confident and lack caution, pain and penalty await. 

In this episode of Waterways, there are many champion trees in south Florida mostly because this is where tropical meets temperate; a champion is the largest, both girth and height of it's species, and, Part of the mission for NOAA and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is to track changes in the marine ecosystem, including variations in the topographical make-up of the sea floor... enabling NOAA to not only provide information to help keep the water enthusiastic public safe, but also to inform its scientists and resources managers of variations within the environment.

Life before mosquito control in the Florida Keys was barely tolerable and mosquito control in the Florida Keys is a very delicate balancing act between killing a naturally occurring creature and not harming other creatures and wildlife surrounding this targeted nuisance. This team from the Florida Keys is considered one of the most advanced organizations in the country.

Pythons and lionfish and tegus...exotic and beautiful in their own environments but when they invade as non-native species the ecosystem is thrown off-kilter. Join waterways as they explore the pervasive concern of Invasive Exotics in South Florida

The natural environment of Southern Florida is full of beauty...from wildlife to vistas, the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park are two wonderful places to visit if nature is on  your calendar. waterways presents a well-produced review of several of the sites, sounds, sights, and more.

January 11, 2010... water temperatures in Florida Bay register 41 degrees Fahrenheit... the coastal mangrove zone of Florida Bay shows temperature readings as low as 34 degrees Fahrenheit... the result: millions of fish dead. This is the largest fish kill resulting from cold weather to hit south Florida in more than 30 years. AND When the Tamiami Trail was built, it essentially created a dam right across the middle of the Everglades ecosystem. Because of many constraints, mostly financial, what started as an original recommendation of raising 10.7 miles of the Tamiami Trail ended with funding to build a one-mile bridge and modifying the remainder of the roadway corridor by raising and stabilizing it to the point where the water level in the canal system next to Tamiami Trail would permit increased flow south into the park without damaging the adjacent roadway

A wise man once said, a civilization can be judged by how it treats its cultural heritage. One day, our generation may be judged positively by how we treated and preserved Fort Jefferson. As of March 2012, eight of the 10 large guns received conservation treatment and the removal of the Totten shutters and the stabilization of most of the fort walls—was completed in May 2011.

Just as areas of land may be set aside for specific uses, so too can parts of the ocean. Marine zones can help protect sensitive natural resources from overuse, separate conflicting uses, and preserve the diversity of life and the integrity of habitat. Zones are an important tool for managing marine resources and have been used around the world. The sanctuary's zones are designed to preserve sensitive parts of the ecosystem while still allowing activities that are compatible with resource protection.

During the years 1999 and 2000, the US Geological Survey conducted a study of 139 streams across the country and detected pharmaceutical compounds in 80 percent of the streams sampled. AND There's one type of pharmaceutical that has scientists especially nervous about finding in our waters called, endocrine disrupters.

Science and images combine to bring home the fact that climate change is real...and it must be dealt with immediately.

Waterways production team brings their cameras into the Big Cypress National Preserve for a rare look at this southern Florida wildlife paradise. Teeming with flora and fauna, and part of the National Preserve System this is a great video for lovers of nature, Florida, Big Cypress Preserve, wildlife, the Everglades National Park, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and so much more. An excellent overview on the current efforts to clean up the canals of the area is also included.

The contributors to the book Tropical Connections came from many different fields. In the end, 163 different experts wrote about their respective disciplines, their career contributions representing nearly 5,000 years of professional expertise on the science of the south Florida ecosystem. Healthy fish spawning aggregations are critical to maintaining sustainable fish populations. Through ocean currents, these aggregations will seed the reefs of the Florida Keys and beyond with new fish. But when fish aggregate it makes them especially vulnerable to fishing pressure. Researchers from NOAA and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission set out to assess the characteristics of these historic spawning sites and determine if there was a common topographic attribute found across the various spawning sites. They also set out to determine if these historic aggregation sites were "fished out" and if not, how many fish still gathered.

A tremendous wildlife program packed with images and footage of the gorgeous wading birds of the Everglades. And the waterways team makes sure the information you want that makes your viewing experience enjoyable is packed right in with the high quality photography. This is a true joy to behold.

From the Pacific garbage patch to Tsunami debris to abandoned boats and millions of plastic bags, marine debris is a blight upon our ocean and waterways. This quality production shows how widespread the problem is, what's being done to solve it, and how people can help.

In 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the WILDERNESS ACT which set the legal definition of "wilderness" and a system by which to designate new area as wilderness. In this episode of WATERWAYS we celebrate the WILDERNESS ACT 50th ANNIVERSARY and wilderness areas in south Florida. AND STORM WATER in the Florida Keys: The rain that falls onto our roads, driveways and lawns; if we release too quickly into the near shore than it pollutes with oils and nutrients; if the storm water is contained to long, it can create flooding. How Key West and Marathon City Utilities walk the line.

The Waterways team has produced another fabulous segment: an exploration of the incredible birding trail available to visitors of Biscayne Bay Park. Hundreds of species can be seen...even from the parking lot. Also included is a provocative segment on the beach and your health.

Waterways presents a colorful and insightful exploration into the life in the mangrove swamps of the Everglades National Park

One of the biggest threats to marine organisms is the phenomenon known as ocean acidification where because of increased CO2 in our waters, due to the burning of fossil fuels, has caused the ocean to become more acidic. This increase in acidity inhibits the ability for many corals and mollusks, including oysters and clams, in building their shells. This could result in coral reefs eroding and shellfish fisheries collapsing. AND As ocean levels rise the relative sea level rise is different for different locations; that is why the National Park Service is installing a TORTUGAS TIDE GAUGE to monitor sea level rise to better protect the cultural and natural resources in the Dry Tortugas.