SWFWMD preview: Tampa Bay seagrass maps due March 26; Old Tampa Bay remains concern

Dr. Chris Anastasio, chief water quality scientist and seagrass mapping lead at the Southwest Florida Water Management District, told the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission on Feb. 20 that draft 2024 seagrass maps for the Suncoast region will be released publicly on March 26 and that overall Bay‑wide conditions are expected to be better than the 2022 maps.

The maps, which the district has produced regularly since the 1980s, use specialized aerial imagery combined with field verification to classify seagrass as continuous (roughly 25–100% cover) or patchy/sparse (less than 25%). "Now, unfortunately, our official numbers don't come out for about another month," Anastasio said, but he previewed the district's expectations and the methods behind the mapping program.

Why this matters: seagrasses are a key indicator of estuary health, provide fish and wildlife habitat, and support recreation and tourism that local economies depend on. The district's mapping program informs restoration priorities and coordination through the Tampa Bay Estuary Program…