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FWC Research Institute

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FWC Research Institute

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The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is the research division of the FWC. Petersburg, Florida.

FWRI conducts research throughout Florida that obtains wide-ranging data and information needed by fish, wildlife and ecosystem resource managers. The Institute employs more than 700 staff members and is headquartered in downtown St. More than 20 field stations enable other staff members to be strategically located throughout the state. FWRI integrates its research with the management efforts of other FWC division by providing science-based assessments and decision support to the FWC Commissioners and others responsible for managing or regulating activities that depend on Florida’s diverse natural resources. In addition to the FWC, federal, state and local governments; universities; recreational and commercial fishing interests; recreational hunting and boating interests; nongovernmental organizations and the public use the results of FWRI’s research. Many of these entities also collaborate on research projects.

10/20/2026

🐢 2026 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Update 🐢
As Florida's 2026 sea turtle nesting season winds down, preliminary data suggests that we may have TWO new statewide nesting records! All nesting totals are preliminary and subject to verification before any new statewide records can be officially confirmed.

🟧Loggerheads have reached 136,124 nests statewide as of September 30, surpassing the previous record of 134,930 nests set in 2023!
🟪Leatherbacks are having a remarkable season with 2,211 nests documented so far. If confirmed, 2026 would set another statewide leatherback nesting record!
🟩Green turtles have had another substantial nesting season, with 54,629 nests documented so far. Although below the high numbers recorded in 2023 and 2025, this is a notable year for a species whose nesting numbers can vary widely from year to year.
🟦Kemp's ridley turtles remain rare visitors to Florida’s beaches, with 15 confirmed nests documented so far.
🟫 The olive ridley nesting event documented earlier this season remains one of the most interesting discoveries of 2026.
🌴 Thank you to all the permit holders, volunteers, interns, and partners working together to document sea turtle nesting activity across the state!

📊 Preliminary statewide totals as of September 30, 2026
• Loggerhead: 136,124
• Green Turtle: 54,629
• Leatherback: 2,211
• Kemp's Ridley: 15
• Olive Ridley: 1
• Hawksbill: 0

📸 FWC photos

10/09/2026

3 Simple Steps for Flash Flood Safety. During a flood, water levels and the rate at which water is flowing can change quickly. Remain aware and monitor local radio and television. www.weather.gov/safety/flood U.S. National Weather Service (NWS)

1. Get to higher ground- Get out of the areas subject to flooding.
2. Do NOT drive or walk into flooded areas- It only takes 6” of water to knock you off your feet.
3. Stay informed- Monitor local radar, television, weather radio, internet, or social media for updates.

10/08/2026

Hurricane Prep: Secure Your Vessel

Protect your boat or other water vessel by securing it before a hurricane hits. If your vessel can be trailered, haul it out of the water and move it to a safe location as far from the water as possible. If your vessel can't be trailered, remove and secure any loose items, such as sails and life vests, and double all lines and rigging. Attach lines high on pilings to allow for tidal rise. As always, stay informed by keeping up to date with weather reports and signing up for emergency alerts from your local emergency management office.

Follow Florida Division of Emergency Management or go online for more tips and info: floridadisaster.org

Hurricane Boating Preparedness Tips: bit.ly/StormPrepResources_FWC

10/06/2026

Florida’s first known case of lead poisoning in an American crocodile.

After a crocodile unexpectedly died during routine capture, researchers performed a field necropsy and discovered more than 22 grams of lead in its stomach, approximately the weight of a AA battery.

The lead contents included 23 air r***e pellets, one fishing weight, and small lead fragments. Researchers also found evidence that the crocodile had consumed at least one green iguana that had likely been shot with lead am******on.

The crocodile captured showed signs and symptoms of long-term lead exposure, including major tooth loss and high concentrations of lead in its liver tissue.

This case has prompted additional sampling for lead and other contaminants in American crocodiles throughout their Florida range. The findings will help researchers better understand the extent of the issue.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/PubSpotlight

Photo: Joseph Ricketts

10/02/2026

Happy World Animal Day!

Beneath Florida’s surface is a diverse marine community worth celebrating. Every species helps play an important role in supporting Florida’s unique coastal ecosystems.

With about 1,350 miles of coastline and thousands of fish and other marine life that call Florida waters home, it’s hard not to want to celebrate these animals every day.

As we celebrate world animal day, here’s a glimpse into Florida’s underwater world and the incredible species that call these waters home.

How many species can you name in this video?

Video: FWC

09/30/2026

How biologists are helping conserve the endangered Florida panther 🐾
Discover how FWC biologists are studying and monitoring the Florida panther to support its recovery.

🔹Biologists track panthers, study their behavior and habitat selection, tag kittens and monitor their genetic health to better understand and protect this endangered population.

👉 For more behind the scenes action, visit: https://bit.ly/FloridaPantherResearch

🔗 Purchase your very own “Protect The Panther” plate https://bit.ly/FLPantherLicensePlate_FWC

It’s tough being a Florida panther, but panthers are tough!
🎥Video: FWC

09/29/2026

Posthatchlings During Storm Season 🐢
Once sea turtle hatchlings make their way offshore, they often gather in floating sargassum patches and drift with ocean currents in the North Atlantic Gyre for several years. At this stage, we call these young turtles posthatchlings.

During tropical systems or periods of strong onshore winds, sargassum patches and the posthatchlings living within it can be pushed back to shore. 🌊

🐢 How to identify a posthatchling:
🔹Small sea turtle, about the size of your palm
🔹May have hair-like algae growing on its shell or flippers
🔹Can appear inactive or lethargic, with its front flippers tucked on top of its shell

👉 What should you do if you find one?
🔹Call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922)
🔹Do not pick up or release them back onto the beach or into the ocean.
🔹Posthatchlings that wash ashore often require specialized care at an FWC-permitted sea turtle rehabilitation facility. After receiving the care they need, they can be returned offshore by boat by authorized Marine Turtle Permit Holders.

📸 Photos: FWC

09/25/2026

Attention Young Artists! 🎨🐟
Grab your pencils, paper, canvas, paints, and more, and let your creativity flow!

🔹The Florida Fish Art Contest invites K–12 students to learn about Florida’s native fish and create their own original artwork, helping them connect art with conservation.

Students in grades 4–12 will also submit a short creative writing piece that shares what they learned.

The contest is open NOW through February 28, 2027! Check out a few past winners for some inspiration ✨

🔗 Visit MyFWC.com/FishArt for more information, educational resources, and submission guidelines.

📸 Photo: FWC

09/23/2026

🔹 FWC biologists teamed up with the University of Florida, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study the effectiveness of eugenol as a fish sedative for aquaculture and fisheries management.

This naturally occurring compound is found in many over-the-counter products but is available for experimental use under the FDA’s INAD program.

Sedating fish like Red Drum and Florida Bass prior to stressful procedures like net capture, sorting, and transporting greatly reduces stress and improves the health of hatchery fish that are released into public waters.

The goal of this research is to gain FDA-approval for immediate release of fish after sedative exposure.

Visit https://bit.ly/Fish_Sedation_Research to learn more!
🎥 Video: FWC

09/21/2026

🐢 2026 Sea Turtle Nesting Season Update 🐢
We may have a new loggerhead nesting record in Florida!

🟡 Loggerheads have reached a preliminary 136,972 nests statewide as of August 31, already exceeding the previous annual record of 134,930 nests set in 2023. These numbers are still preliminary and will need to be verified before we can officially call 2026 a new record year, but it’s an exciting milestone!
🟣 Leatherbacks have also had a remarkable season, with 2,209 nests documented so far. If these preliminary numbers are confirmed during final data review, 2026 would also set a new statewide leatherback nesting record.
🟢Green turtles continue to keep things interesting, with 50,815 nests documented statewide. Their nesting numbers can vary widely from year to year, and 2026 is shaping up to be another strong season.
🔵 Kemp’s ridley turtles remain rare visitors to Florida’s beaches, with 15 confirmed nests documented so far this season.
🟠 Florida’s first confirmed olive ridley nest remains one of the most remarkable discoveries of the 2026 season.

🌴 Thank you to all the permit holders, volunteers, interns, and partners working together to document sea turtle nesting activity across the state!

📊 Preliminary statewide totals as of August 31, 2026
• Loggerhead: 136,972 nests
• Green Turtle: 50,815 nests
• Leatherback: 2,209 nests
• Kemp’s Ridley: 15 confirmed nests
• Olive Ridley: 1 confirmed nest
• Hawksbill: 0 nests

📸Photos: FWC

Address

100 8th Avenue SE
Saint Petersburg, FL
33701

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17278968626

Website

http://myfwc.com/research/, https://linktr.ee/fwcresearch

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