The operation of an otter trawl net is a fairly straightforward endeavor. The net itself is in the shape of a funnel, tied at the small end in order to trap fish and other organisms that might enter.

In the Tampa Bay Estuary the pink shrimp is the most abundant species of shrimp that is collected.

Imagine you’re taking a walk at a nearby park or beach and come across an unfamiliar plant or animal. With a quick snap of a photo on your smartphone, you can not only identify the species but also contribute to important scientific research.

Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees that thrive in tropical and subtropical coastal areas, such as the Tampa Bay Estuary and Biscayne Bay.

Named for its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf toadfish is one of about 80 species of toadfish worldwide and is endemic to the Gulf—meaning it's only found here, with no known sightings in the Caribbean.

Caribbean Hermit Crabs, also known as Purple Pinchers, are one of 600 species of hermit crabs.

One of the most popular fish we find during our eco-tours is the pinfish and even though we can get bored of seeing pinfish they are actually super important!

The mangroves that line much of the shoreline of the Bay create a habitat for marine life, especially fish. Today I want to tell you about a fish that shares its name with the mangroves they call home – Mangrove Snapper.

The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center educates guests on seahorses, pipefish, and Tampa Bay Watch’s restoration work and research in partnership with Project Seahorse.

Among the many exhibits on display at the Discovery Center, one of the more mysterious animals is located in the touch tank. In the deep section, most likely buried under the sand, is the Gold-Spotted Snake Eel.

Be extra careful of where you tread this time of year: there could be hundreds of baby turtles right under your feet!

Today we’re going to be learning a little bit more about a special fish, called the Hogfish!

Why are we scared of sharks? Chances are you’ve seen a shark-related movie and at least some of your feelings about these large ocean predators stem from what you saw. There’s even a term for it; the “Jaws effect”.

Get ready to meet the new Snakes of the Essstuary at the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center! Some of our native snakes look venomous but they are actually harmless. Learn how to tell the difference!

Tampa Bay Watch Director of Education Katie Mastenbrook explains how a 7-day field course at a shark lab in Bimini, Bahamas is helping her teach local students to conquer their fear of sharks.

Keep an eye out for the invasive Burmese Python as it slowly begins to make its way north. Invasive species are those that are non-native and cause ecological destruction to the ecosystem they are invading.

Florida is home to 27 different native species of frogs. This is due to Florida’s ideal living conditions for amphibians and reptiles.

The species found in our bay are endless, but one unique creature is the Cownose ray. This type of stingray is important to the ecosystem and has an interesting relationship with humans that also inhabit the bay.

The Tampa Bay watershed is home to a wide variety of fish species, many of these being killifish. There are a total of 10 ‘killifish’ species that call Tampa Bay their home.

Last month kicked off the start of the manatee season. Beginning in November, manatees move into springs and estuaries like Tampa Bay where water temperatures are much more constant than in the Gulf of Mexico.