Tampa Bay Estuary Program: Seagrasses Continue to Surpass Recovery Goal

BRADENTON – New data released Feb. 1 by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program shows that seagrasses in Tampa Bay continue to be on the upswing, with an increase of more than 1,360 acres, or almost 3.3 %.

The bay's current level of seagrass (41,655 acres of bay bottom) is the highest since 1950. The TBEP's own goal for seagrass levels is set at 38,000 acres.

Due to helping keep the surrounding water clean, seagrasses enable fish, shrimp, crabs, and other creatures to populate.

In a statement, TBEP Director Holly Greening, director of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program said that the news is good news overall, adding, "We will need to carefully watch trends in future years to make sure we maintain progress in bay recovery."