HALLOWEED 2025

By Rick O’Connor

Escambia County Sea Grant Extension Agent

October 31st, 2025

Halloweed is an annual event where volunteers help remove invasive species from the Pensacola Bay area.

This year 43 students from the Gulf Breeze High School National Honors Society and University of West Florida’s Student Environment Advocacy Society (SEAS) helped remove over 4 trash cans full of seed from the invasive beach vitex on Pensacola Beach.

Florida Sea Grant and Escambia County Extension Office appreciate all of the work these students did trying to contain this invasive plant from spreading further.

WATER QUALITY

By Rick O’Connor

Escambia County Sea Grant Extension Agent

October 27st, 2025

HEALTH ADVISORIES – FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Enterococcus bacteria are associated with the digestive systems of birds and mammals. Their presence in the environment indicates the presence of bird or mammal feces. Detection of Enterococcus in water sources is used as a proxy for possible human waste and health concerns. Health advisories are issued to marine waterways by the Department of Health following US EPA protocols if the level of Enterococcus is above 71 colonies/100ml of sample. We post the weekly reports below and provide quarterly updates.

OCTOBER 27, 2025

HEATLH ADVISORIES ISSUED FOR BAYOU TEXAR AND SANDERS BEACH THIS WEEK.

Good –

Moderate –

Poor – Sanders Beach, Bruce Beach, Bayou Texar

SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOWS – EMERALD COAST UTILITY AUTHORITY

SANITARY SEWAGE OVERFLOW – SEP 26 – 3017 N. 6TH AVE.

Cause: contractor damaged sewer main

Spill: 32,000 gallons – 31,840 was recovered

RED TIDE REPORTS – FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

These reports are provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

OCT 24, 2025

FLORIDA PANHANDLE

Red tide was detected at medium to high concentrations in Gulf County. Fish kills were reported in both Bay and Gulf counties.

THE REST OF FLORIDA

Red tide was detected at background concentrations at 1 site offshore of Sarasota County.

ANNUAL RAINFALL DATA - NOAA

Pensacola Bay Area

2012 – 66.63”

2013 – 74.61”

2014 – 83.17”

2015 – 75.69”

2016 – 64.62”

2017 – 91.91”

2018 – 90.01”

2019 – 52.56”

2020 – 76.49”

2021 – 88.43”

2022 – 69.03”

2023 – 58.51”

2024 – 64.60”

2025 – 55.39”

VIBRIO VULNIFICUS CASES

Vibrio vulnificus is one of several Vibrio bacteria found in our coastal waters. The bacteria are naturally occurring here and are more abundant in warm water. Infections are usually associated with entering the water with open wounds or consuming uncooked seafood. Individuals with comprised immune systems (for a variety of reasons) are at highest risk. Below are Vibrio cases for our area.

THIS WEEK -

No new cases in Escambia County.

No new cases in Santa Rosa County.

ONE NEW CASE IN FLORIDA. NO NEW DEATHS.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY LANDS AND WATER QUALITY DIVISION WATER QUALITY PORTAL

This portal will provide updated water quality information from Escambia County. You can access this portal at https://myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/water-quality-land-management/surface-water-quality-monitoring/water-quality-data

PENSACOLA-PERDIDO BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM’S STATE OF THE BAY REPORT CARD

This is an excellent website reporting on a variety of environmental parameters across the bay system.

https://www.stateofthebays.org/.

By Rick O’Connor

Escambia County Sea Grant Extension Agent

November 7th, 2025

HALLOWEED 2025

WATER QUALITY

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