Technical Reports
The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program works with scientists from other organizations to study Sarasota-Manatee area bays and produce reports that help further the understanding and science-based management of area estuaries and creeks. These reports are listed below by year of publication.
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2026
Pollutant Load Reduction in Sarasota Bay, Florida (USA): Target Development, Implementation, and Outcomes. 2026. Gulf and Caribbean Research. 37(1):13. https://doi.org/10.18785/gcr.3701.13. (Tomasko D., Wessel M., Perry J., Anastasiou C., Gandy R.)
2025
Water Quality Trends and Eutrophication Indicators in a Large Subtropical Estuary: A Case Study of the Greater Charlotte Harbor System in Southwest Florida. 2025. Estuaries and Coasts. 48:56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-025-01488-2. (Medina M., Beck M., Hecker J., Iadevaia N., Moody B., Anastasiou C., Tomasko D., Milbrandt E., Kaplan D., Angelini C.).
2024
An early-warning forecast model for red tide (Karenia brevis) blooms on the southwest coast of Florida. 2024. Harmful Algae. SSRN: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2024.102729. (Medina M., Julian II P., Chin N., Davis S.E.).
An evaluation of the relationships between the duration of red tide (Karenia brevis) blooms and watershed nitrogen loads in southwest Florida (USA). 2024. Biological Sciences. SSRN: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4592652 (Tomasko D., Landau L., Suau S., Medina M., Hecker J.).
Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program Annual Data Summary Report for 2024. Compiled by the Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program Staff at the Fish & Wildlife Research Institute.
Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program, 2024 Annual Review of Snook Management Metrics. Compiled by the Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program Staff at the Fish & Wildlife Research Institute.
Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program, 2024 Annual Review of Redfish Management Metrics. Compiled by the Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program Staff at the Fish & Wildlife Research Institute.
Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program, 2024 stock assessment of Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, in Florida. Compiled by the Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program Staff at the Fish & Wildlife Research Institute.
2023
Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program Annual Data Summary Report for 2022 (Draft). Compiled by the Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program Staff at the Fish & Wildlife Research Institute.
Coastal acidification trends and controls in a subtropical estuary, Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. 2023. Florida Scientist 86:2. (Yates K., Moore C., Lemon M., Moyer R., Tomasko D., Masserini R., Sherwood E.).
Ecological impacts to Sarasota Bay from Piney Point discharges - examining the evidence. 2023. Florida Scientist. Prepared by D. Tomasko.
The response of Tampa Bay to a legacy mining nutrient release in the year following the event. 2023. Front. Ecol. Evol. 11:1144778. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.1144778. (Morrison ES, Phlips E, Badylak S, Chappel AR, Altieri AH, Osborne TZ, Tomasko D, Beck MW and Sherwood E.).
SBEP hopes to create a more resilient Sarasota Bay. 2023. Florida Specifier. Prepared by D. Tomasko.
Addressing climate change and development pressures in an urban estuary through habitat restoration planning. 2023. Front. Ecol. Evol. 11:1070266. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.1070266. (Beck M., Robison D., Raulerson G., Burke M., Saarinen J., Sciarrino C., Sherwood E., Tomasko D.).
2022
Post-Red Tide Recovery of Sarasota Bay Fish Communities. 2022. Prepared by New College of Florida (J. Gardiner).
Data Summary Report: Nekton of Sarasota Bay and a Comparison of Nekton Community Structure in Adjacent Southwest Florida Estuaries for Year Twelve (January to December 2021). 2022. Prepared by FWCC-FWRI (R.F. Jones and M. Schrandt).
Nitrogen-enriched discharges from a highly managed watershed intensify red tide (Karenia brevis) blooms in southwest Florida. 2022. Science of The Total Environment 827:154149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154149 (M. Medina, D. Kaplan, E. Milbrandt, D. Tomasko, R. Huffaker, C. Angelini).
Initial Estuarine Response To Inorganic Nutrient Inputs From A Legacy Mining Facility Adjacent To Tampa Bay, Florida. 2022. Marine Pollution Bulletin 178:113598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113598 (M. Beck, A. Altieri, C. Angelini, M. Burke, J. Chen, D. Chin, J. Gardiner, C. Hu, K. Hubbard, Y. Liu, C. Lopez, M. Medina, E. Morrison, E. Phlips, G. Raulerson, S. Scolaro, E. Sherwood, D. Tomasko, R. Weisberg, J. Whalen).
Anthropogenic Influence on K. brevis Blooms near Venice, Florida Phase 1 Report. 2022. Prepared by University of Florida Center for Coastal Solutions (C. Angelini and M. Medina).
Developing A Water Quality Assessment Framework For Southwest Florida Tidal Creeks. 2022. Estuaries and Coasts 45: 17-37. (M. Wessel, J. Leverone, M. Beck, E. Sherwood, J. Hecker, S. West, A. Janicki).
2021
Data Summary Report: Nekton of Sarasota Bay and a Comparison of Nekton Community Structure in Adjacent Southwest Florida Estuaries for Year Eleven (January to December 2020). 2021. Prepared by FWCC-FWRI (R.F. Jones, M. Schrandt, and D.L. Leffler).
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Water Quality Assessment and Pollutant Loading Model Update. 2021. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc. and Jones Edmunds, Inc.
Macroalgae in Florida's estuaries: Current status and future directions of macroalgae research, monitoring, and management in four Estuaries of National Significance. 2021. Prepared by Caroline Donovan for SBEP.
2020
Sarasota Bay Artificial Reef Final Monitoring Report. 2020. Prepared by Aptim Environmental & Infrastructure, LLC and SBEP (K. Brown, J. Leverone).
The effects of Hurricane Irma on seagrass meadows in previously eutrophic estuaries in Southwest Florida (USA). 2020. Marine Pollution Bulletin 156:111247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111247 (D. Tomasko, M. Alderson, R. Burnes, J. Hecker, N. Iadevaia, J. Leverone, G. Raulerson, E. Sherwood).
2019
Southwest Florida Tidal Creeks: Nutrient Management Framework And Indicator Development. 2019. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc. and Mote Marine Laboratory.
Preliminary Assessment of Sarasota Bay Water Quality Trends: Letter Memorandum. 2019. Prepared by ESA (D. Tomasko, E. Keenan).
Revised NNC for Sarasota Bay Estuarine Nutrient Region. 2019. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc. (M. Wessel).
2018
Living Shorelines: Guidance for Sarasota Bay Watershed. 2018. Prepared by ESA (D. Rosensweig).
Widespread recovery of seagrass coverage in Southwest Florida (USA): Temporal and spatial trends and management actions responsible for success. 2018. Marine Pollution Bulletin 135:1128-1137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.08.049 (D. Tomasko, M. Alderson, R. Burnes, J. Hecker, J. Leverone, G. Raulerson, E. Sherwood).
2017
Embracing Our Future: SBEP Climate Vulnerability Assessment. 2017. Prepared by Shafer Consulting and SBEP (J. Shafer, D. Shafer, C. Quigley, D. Young).
Water quality criteria for seagrass protection in Sarasota Bay: an optical model and assessment tool. 2017. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory and Janicki Environmental, Inc. (L.K. Dixon and M. Wessel).
Coastal Habitat Integrated Mapping and Monitoring Program Report: Florida. Chapter 5 - Sarasota Bay. 2017. Prepared by FWCC-FWRI (K. Radabaugh, C. Powell, R. Moyer (eds.); J. Leverone, J. Perry, K. Kaufman (contributing authors)).
Exploratory Analysis to Evaluate Tidal Creek Fish Habitat Preferences in the Context of Larger Tidal Tributaries. 2017. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc. (M. Wessel).
2016
Southwest Florida Tidal Creeks Nutrient Study: Final Report. 2016. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc. and Mote Marine Laboratory (M. Wessel).
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Five-Year Habitat Restoration Plan (FY2016-FY2020). 2016. Prepared by Scheda Ecological Associates.
2015
Data Summary Report: Nekton of Sarasota Bay and a Comparison of Nekton Community Structure in Adjacent Southwest Florida Estuaries for Year Five (June 2013 - April 2014). 2015. Prepared by FWCC-FWRI (T. MacDonald, R. Jones, E. Weather, R. McMichael, Jr.).
2014
The Sarasota Bay Economic Valuation Project: Phase II. 2014. (P. Hindsley, O. Morgan.)
Data Summary Report: Nekton of Sarasota Bay and a Comparison of Nekton Community Structure in Adjacent Southwest Florida Estuaries for Year Four (June 2012 - April 2013). 2014. Prepared by FWCC-FWRI (T. MacDonald, R. Jones, E. Weather, R. McMichael, Jr.).
2013
Year 3 Data Summary Report: Nekton of Sarasota Bay and a Comparison of Nekton Community Structure in Adjacent Southwest Florida Estuaries. 2013. Prepared by FWCC-FWRI (T. MacDonald, R. Jones, E. Weather, R. McMichael, Jr.).
Fish, Water Quality, and Watershed Data for Sarasota Bay: Data Compilation, Review, and Analysis. 2013. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc. and Mote Marine Laboratory (M. Wessel, N. Brennan, C. Schoonard, L.K. Dixon).
2012
The Sarasota Bay Economic Valuation Project: Phase I. 2012. (P. Hindsley, K. Debure, O. Morgan.)
Year 2 Data Summary Report: Nekton of Sarasota Bay and a Comparison of Nekton Community Structure in Adjacent Southwest Florida Estuaries. 2012. Prepared by FWCC-FWRI (T. MacDonald, R. Jones, E. Weather, R. McMichael, Jr.).
Whitaker Bayou Greenway Park and Stormwater LID Retrofit Pilot. 2012. Prepared by Wilson Miller Stantec.
Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores LID Retrofit Pilot. 2012. Prepared by Wilson Miller Stantec.
Macroalgae as bioindicators of nitrogen enrichment in Sarasota Bay, FL: Presentation to SBEP TAC. 2012. (B. LaPointe)
2011
Numeric Nutrient Criteria Recommendations for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. 2011. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc.
Sarasota Bay Numeric Nutrient Criteria: Task 1 - TN and TP Concentration and Loading Based Criteria - Letter Memorandum. 2011. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc.
Sarasota Bay Numeric Nutrient Criteria: Task 2 - Downstream Protection Values - Letter Memorandum. 2011. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc.
Sarasota Bay Numeric Nutrient Criteria: Task 3 - Dissolved Oxygen - Letter Memorandum. 2011. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc.
Sarasota Bay Numeric Nutrient Criteria: Task 4 - Implementation Issues - Letter Memorandum. 2011. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc.
Sarasota Bay Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Tidal Creeks: Letter Memorandum. 2011. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc.
2010
Nekton of Sarasota Bay and a Comparison of Nekton Community Structure in Adjacent Southwest Florida Estuaries. 2010. Prepared by FWCC-FWRI (T. MacDonald, E. Weather, P.W. Stevens, R. McMichael, Jr.).
Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Sarasota Bay. 2010. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc.
Increase in bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) populations following releases of competent larvaue in two West Florida estuaries. 2010. Journal of Shellfish Research 29(2): 395-406. (J. Leverone, S. Geiger, S. Stephenson, W. Arnold)
2008
Final Report of the Sarasota and Tampa Bay Artificial Reef Evaluation of the Influence of Reef Number and Artificial Habitat on Fish Colonization. 2008. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory (B. Blackburn, K. Leber, S. Peatrowsky).
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Outfall Prioritization Project. 2008. Prepared by PBS&J.
Seagrass targets for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. 2008. Prepared by Janicki Environmental, Inc. (A. Janicki, M. Dema, R. Nijbroek).
2006
Reconnaissance of Listed Water Bodies on Roberts Bay, Little Sarasota Bay, Blackburn Bay, Dona & Roberts Bay, and Lemon Bay and Recommendations for Future Sampling. 2006. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory (E. Hall, J. Perry, L.K. Dixon).
2005
Spatial and temporal variation in seagrass coverage in Southwest Florida: assessing the relative effects of anthropogenic nutrient load reductions and rainfall in four contiguous estuaries. 2005. Marine Pollution Bulletin 50: 797-805. (D. Tomasko, C. Corbett, H. Greening, G. Raulerson).
2003
Analysis of Changes in Seagrass Coverage, 1996-1999 and 1999-2001, for Anna Maria Sound, Sarasota, Roberts, Little Sarasota, and Blackburn Bays. 2003. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory (L.K. Dixon, J. Perry).
Sarasota Bay Juvenile Fisheries Habitat Assessment. 2003. Prepared by VHB and Steven Sauers Environmental Management (G. Serviss and S. Sauers).
1999
Contaminant Survey of Sarasota Bay Priority Watersheds - Cedar Hammock Creek, Bowlees Creek, Whitaker Bayou, Hudson Bayou, and Phillippi Creek. 1999. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory and CD&M (L.K. Dixon, M. Heyl, J. Perry).
1996
The effects of anthropogenic nutrient enrichment on turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. 1996. Estuaries 19(2B): 448-456. (D. Tomasko, C. Dawes, M. Hall)
1993
Bivalved shellfish contamination assessment. 1993. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory (L.K. Dixon, J. Sprinkel, N. Blake, G. Rodrick, R. Pierce).
Bay Bottom Habitat Assessment. 1993. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory (J. Culter and J. Leverone).
Water and Sediment Quality: Trends and Status for Sarasota Bay. 1993. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory (S. Lowrey, L.K. Dixon, P. Sherblom, M. Heyl).
1992
Sarasota Bay Fisheries Resource Assessment. 1992. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory (R. Edwards, R. Hueter).
Bivalved shellfish of Sarasota Bay: a framework for action. 1992. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory (L.K. Dixon).
Sarasota Bay: Framework for Action. 1992. Prepared by SBEP (M. Alderson, D. Tomasko, H. Smith, S. Walker with P. Roat, C. Ciccolella (eds.) and R. Beaman, P. Clark, J. Culter, R. Dean, L.K. Dixon, R. Edwards, E. Estevez, M. Heyl, S. Lowrey, S. Peene, Y.P. Sheng, C. Truitt, R. Wells, J. Whelan).
Sediment Contaminants in Selected Sarasota Bay Tributaries. 1992. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory (L.K. Dixon).
Point/Non-Point Source Pollution Loading Assessment Phase I. 1992. Prepared by CDM.
1988
A bibliography on Sarasota Bay, Florida: Its Resources and Surrounding Areas. 1988. Prepared by Mote Marine Laboratory (E. Estevez, G. Blanchard).
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