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ALGAE |
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Several types
of algae abound in salt waters of the Cape. Green and brown algae are often seen,
and will grow on anything immersed in water receiving sunlight. Occasional,
free-floating red, green or brown algae may drift by, or show up on the beach. |
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ARTIFICIAL
HABITATS |
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The
Environmental Resource Divisions (ERD) has deployed different type of artificial habitats
throughout the city. These can be placed under your dock or at the seawall base.
They provide places for small shrimp, crabs and fish to hide in and survive a
vulnerable stage in their life cycle. The ERD has plans for habitats if you are
interested in building one and installing it. |
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CRABS |
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| Many types of
crabs can be found in saltwater areas in the Cape. Blue crabs are one of the
swimming crabs. The meat is edible and quite tasty, although cleaning the crab
requires perseverance. Spider crabs, arrow crabs and gray marsh crabs are much
smaller then blues and do not swim, but scurry around on docks and pilings. |
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FISH |
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| Some of the
more common fish in saltwater canals are mullet, snook, sheepshead, and mangrove snapper.
Mullet have flat heads and often jump out of the water. The silvery snook are
a prized gamefish but are seasonally restricted. They have a black horizontal line
down their sides. Sheepshead are rounder and have thick, black, vertical stripers.
mangrove snapper are red to gray in color, and can be found in a variety of
habitats. |
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MANATEES |
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Manatees can
be present in saltwater canals all year long, however, they are spotted more often from
October to March. During winter months they come up canals to forage for food and
keep warm. Signs to watch for include circular "boils" on the surface left
by their tails, and dark, whiskery coconut shapes which are their noses as they surface to
breathe. Manatee warning signs are posted on many docks, and one-quarter mile out
from shore into the Caloosahatchee River is a manatee slow speed zone for boaters. |
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MANGROVES |
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| Mangroves are
an extremely important link for fisheries. Prop roots provide shelter for small
animals, and help to stabilize shorelines. They primarily grow in salt-water areas,
but are also found in brackish water. There are state regulations as to when and how
mangroves by be trimmed. The Department of Environmental Protection can answer
questions regarding mangrove trimming. |
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OYSTERS
AND BARNACLES |
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| The shelled,
flat animals attached to docks and seawalls are oysters. Smaller, mountain-shaped
structures are barnacles. These animals are filter-feeders, taking tiny particles
out of the water column for food. Oysters are edible, but can only be taken from
waters approved by the Department of Environmental Protection, as they may contain
harmful bacteria. |
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RIP-RAP |
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Rip-Rap is
rock that is 1-2 feet in diameter, placed along the base of seawalls in piles that are at
the mean low water mark. It is an excellent way to provide habitat, supplying hiding
places for aquatic organisms. It also helps to stabilize seawalls. |
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