Keeping a Watchful Eye
Tampa Bay: Species of Concern

What is common to the manatee, the bay scallop, the loggerhead sea turtle and Gulf sturgeon? They are all creatures that live in Tampa Bay that are important to the region’s marine environment. Their existence is being closely monitored by researchers and environmental groups.

The loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus) are both threatened species. The West Indian manatee, commonly known as the sea cow, is endangered and the bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) is a protected game species.

-- sponsored by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program