All articles tagged with #florida keys
Plastic-wrapped cocaine bricks, locally nicknamed 'square grouper,' are frequently washing up in the Florida Keys. While some locals report finds to authorities, others exploit the situation for profit. Federal prosecutors recently sentenced a ring of individuals for distributing these recovered drugs, highlighting a persistent smuggling issue in the region.
A new study from Nova Southeastern University demonstrates that temporary underwater shades can mitigate and reverse coral bleaching caused by heat stress. By blocking 60% of light, these simple structures helped brain corals in the Florida Keys recover color during a severe thermal event, offering a low-cost, scalable protection strategy for vulnerable reefs.
Researchers at Nova Southeastern University have demonstrated that simple underwater shading structures can significantly reduce and even reverse coral bleaching in the Caribbean. Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, the study tested 20 PVC-and-nylon 'umbrellas' over brain coral colonies in the Florida Keys during the second-highest heat stress event on record. The shades cut light exposure by 60%, allowing corals to recover color and avoid mortality, offering a low-cost, temporary mitigation strategy for high-priority reefs while global warming continues.
DEEP’s Vanguard, a private underwater habitat deployed off the Florida Keys, becomes the first US subsea station in about 40 years. The 35-foot-long living module designed for four aquanauts will host five-to-seven day missions, connected to the surface by a buoy, with modern systems to minimize ecological impact and capture wastewater for treatment. Scientists will study and attempt coral restoration at Tennessee Reef, while officials see potential crossovers with existing bases like Aquarius and explore broader uses including military, educational, and artistic programs. Florida funding and FIU involvement anchor Vanguard in a broader push toward a network of underwater habitats that could accelerate long‑term ocean research and conservation.
After Axios reported Cuba could deploy drones to strike U.S. targets including Key West, Florida Keys Sheriff Rick Ramsey said he hasn’t been contacted by authorities, urged residents to stay calm, and noted there’s no change in patrols as officials monitor the situation for any credible threat.
Sydney Sweeney was photographed enjoying a weekend in the Florida Keys with Scooter Braun, showcasing her in a white swimsuit and engaging in poolside fun, amid reports of their romantic relationship following her breakup with her fiancé.
Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun were seen enjoying a close and fun Sea-Doo ride in the Florida Keys, indicating a growing and affectionate relationship, with recent outings and shared water activities suggesting they are spending significant time together.
A diver named Mike Papish rescued Lenny, a large injured loggerhead sea turtle, and took him to The Turtle Hospital in Florida, where he received care and was released after two weeks, highlighting the importance of sea turtle conservation and ecosystem health.
Hurricane Rafael, now a Category 3 storm, made landfall in western Cuba's Artemisa province with winds of 115 mph. The hurricane is expected to move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, bringing life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flash flooding to western Cuba. A hurricane warning is in effect for several Cuban provinces, while the Florida Keys are under a tropical storm warning. Heavy rainfall and potential tornadoes are forecasted for the region, with significant storm surge expected along Cuba's southern coast.
Spiny lobsters, which urinate in the water to scare off predatory worms and snails, could help save Florida's dying coral reefs. A study by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found that these lobsters act as natural predators to coral-damaging creatures, potentially aiding coral restoration efforts. However, significant human intervention is still needed to combat the severe decline in coral health due to climate change and other environmental stressors.
A suspected Russian spy, Vitallii Kovalev, involved in a high-speed car chase in the Florida Keys in 2020, is potentially linked to the mysterious "Havana syndrome." The syndrome, characterized by unexplained health problems, has affected U.S. officials since 2016. Kovalev, who had a top-secret security clearance, reportedly caused pain in an FBI agent who interviewed him. After serving prison time, Kovalev's whereabouts have been obscured, with reports suggesting he returned to Russia and is now deceased. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence found it "unlikely" that a foreign adversary caused the ailments, while a NIH study found no brain injuries among those affected.
A lifelong diver in the Florida Keys has witnessed a disturbing phenomenon involving fish exhibiting bizarre behaviors such as spinning upside-down and then dying, with nearly 200 incidents logged by wildlife officials across over 30 species. Marine scientists are urgently working to determine the cause of this mysterious and concerning occurrence.
Researchers have definitively identified the HMS Tyger, a British warship that sank off the coast of Florida in 1742. The ship struck a coral reef and, despite attempts to save it, eventually sank, leaving around 280 crew members to abandon ship. National Park Service archaeologists matched preserved logbook entries to five cannons found near the wreckage, confirming the ship's identity. Survivors were marooned for 66 days on Garden Key, where they built fortifications and ultimately made a 55-day trek to British-controlled Port Royal, Jamaica using salvaged materials from the ship.
Pumpkin Key, a 26-acre private island in the Florida Keys, is listed for $75 million and includes a mainland home in Key Largo. The estate offers multiple amenities, including a 23-slip marina, tennis courts that convert into a helicopter pad, and various residential structures. The property is being marketed as a family compound or a potential development opportunity.
Scientists have discovered two new species of snails, known as margarita snails, in the Florida Keys and Belize. These snails have permanently cemented shells and feed by laying out mucus webs to trap plankton and detritus. Initially thought to be the same species, DNA sequencing revealed significant differences between the two snails. The Florida Keys snail has been named Cayo margarita, while the snail in Belize is called Cayo galbinus. The vibrant yellow color of these snails may serve as a warning to potential predators, as they produce defensive metabolites in their mucus.