On The Water This Weekend? Fenced Areas Explained

    Boaters heading to the waters of the St. Johns River for some Memorial Day outdoor fun are advised to be mindful of enclosures that have been installed throughout areas of the river and in tributaries to help reestablish eelgrass. The enclosures, defined by fenced areas, are to be avoided while boating or swimming.
   A project of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the restoration project looks to improve the presence of eelgrass in the river system that was negatively impacted by hurricanes Matthew and Irma.   Efforts to restore the grass, a key food source for manatees, have been underway since 2020, but have ramped up recently in an effort to increase results.
   Replanted eelgrass is being protected in ever-growing enclosures to protect it from grazing herbivores, with hopes that in time enough grass will be in place to overcome regular grazing. Beyond manatees, turtles, blue crabs, tilapia, and other animals graze on eelgrass.
   The program, underway since last Spring, created two large fenced enclosures in Lake George, two acres in total, to grow larger areas of eelgrass. In all, 22,000 eelgrass plants were planted inside the protective enclosures. almost immediately, both eelgrass, lily pads and species presence increased in the areas.
   The effort was continued last summer, with more enclosures and 50,000 plants in other areas, including along a shoreline at the Silver Glen Springs recreation area. Within six months, eelgrass has begun to flourish in the areas, raising hopes that propagation could in time overcome grazing and allow for an environmental balance.
   Last summer, small underwater cages were added to the program, with nearly 150 cages placed in Silver Glen, which within a few months produced healthy amounts of eelgrass growth within.
   With positive results showing, the FWC hopes to expand the program to include 350,000 plants in Lake George and 150 acres of fencing. Those project areas are to include area near the mouth of the St. Johns River in Lake George, just north of Astor.
   Going forward, programs are being developed for the Lake Monroe and Lake Harney areas, as well as the Lower St. Johns River.