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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Peninsular Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (FWCO) continues to strengthen its partnership with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida through collaborative fisheries conservation efforts across the Reservation. Over the past few months, FWCO staff supported multiple initiatives alongside the Tribe's Fish and Wildlife Department, combining technical expertise, species restoration, and community engagement to advance shared conservation goals.
Comprehensive Canal Electrofishing Survey
FWCO staff conducted a week-long electrofishing survey of canal systems within the Miccosukee Reservation Area (MRA), the first comprehensive effort of its kind within the MRA. FWCO biologists worked alongside Tribal staff and Tribal members to assess fish community composition, abundance, and distribution throughout the canal network. The survey generated critical baseline data to inform future fisheries management decisions and helped build Tribal capacity for long-term monitoring. It also deepened the technical collaboration between FWCO and Tribal biologists, ensuring that future assessments can continue to support sustainable management of the Reservation's aquatic resources.
Bowfin Restoration and Youth Engagement
The FWCO partnered with the Welaka National Fish Hatchery and the Miccosukee Tribe to support restoration efforts in the historic Old Tamiami Canal through the stocking of juvenile bowfin. More than 3,000 hatchery-raised fish were transported and released as part of ongoing efforts to reestablish native fish populations in the system. High school students from the Miccosukee Tribal School participated in the stocking event, gaining a hands-on introduction to conservation work. They observed and helped in the release process, learned about the ecological role of bowfin, and interacted directly with fisheries professionals from the Service and Tribal Fish and Wildlife. Bowfin hold cultural significance for the Miccosukee Tribe, making this restoration effort especially meaningful; connecting ecological recovery with living cultural heritage.
Removal of Invasive Species: "Removal of the Swamp Invaders" Tournament
The FWCO staff supported the Tribe's annual "Removal of the Swamp Invaders" tournament, a public event focused on reducing invasive fish populations within MRA waters. FWCO biologists staffed fish identification and weigh-in stations, ensuring accurate species verification and consistent data collection throughout the event. The tournament resulted in the removal of 18 invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species totaling more than 1,300 pounds of fish, a significant outcome that highlights both the scale of the invasive species challenge and the effectiveness of coordinated community action. The FWCO's participation helps the Tribe address ongoing threats to native fish communities while engaging the public in meaningful, hands-on conservation.
A Collaborative Path Forward
From scientific surveys and species restoration to invasive species removal and community engagement, the partnership between the FWCO and the Miccosukee Tribe reflects a shared commitment to protecting aquatic resources for future generations.
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