Tampa Bay, FL: Mapping results released by the Southwest Florida Water Management District
(SWFWMD) show that Tampa Bay now harbors 31,544 acres of seagrass. Between 2022 and
2024, seagrasses throughout Tampa Bay increased by 5%, or 1,407 acres. These results mark
positive progress toward achieving the overall recovery goal of 40,000 acres.
The majority of these increases occurred in Hillsborough Bay, which accounted for more than
half of the baywide increase. Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) made up the majority of gains in
this bay segment. This pioneering species is known for experiencing cycles of rapid growth and
decline.
"Successful management efforts and enhanced water quality have contributed to improvements
across most bay segments,” stated Chris Anastasiou, chief environmental scientist for
SWFWMD, “However, the localized losses in Old Tampa Bay continue to present challenges."
Old Tampa Bay lost 327 acres of seagrass, marking a new historic low for that bay segment.
Bay managers have expressed concerns about recurring summertime algae blooms and water
clarity trends affecting seagrass in Old Tampa Bay for several years. Recent observations in Old
Tampa Bay hint at a possible shift from rooted macroalgae (Caulerpa prolifera) to cyanobacteria
and green drift algae, suggesting that nutrient loading continues to be a problem for this bay
segment. Research focused on additional seagrass stressors, such as warming water
temperatures and obstructions to tidal circulation in Old Tampa Bay, are underway and guiding
restoration efforts.
Recent seagrass acreage estimates are based on imagery collected early in 2024, prior to the
passage of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. The aerial surveys are coordinated by
scientists at SWFWMD and taken every two years in the winter, when bay waters are clearest.
The digital imagery is plotted, analyzed, and ground-truthed to verify accuracy. SWFWMD has
used this comprehensive process to track trends in seagrass extent in Florida estuaries since
1988. The Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) also coordinates a monitoring program that
tracks changes in seagrass species, health, and abundance to complement the SWFWMD
mapping program.

“It can be easy to fixate on the negative, especially when it comes to the environment.”
expressed Maya Burke, assistant director for TBEP, “but Tampa Bay has been, and continues to
be, a remarkable story of success. Our story may not be simple - with this year's results showing
both record high seagrass coverage in Lower Tampa Bay and record lows in Old Tampa Bay -
but we do know how to work together for a better Tampa Bay.”