Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve

Project Spotlight

This year, the Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve Management Plan is under review. The review process includes the development of an advisory committee (and associated meetings) and two public meetings to review the amended management plan.

"No wetlands, no seafood. ... Cooperative efforts among all levels of government are critical to restore coastal wetlands. These efforts are called for in the National Estuary Program's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Lagoon."

Ron Brockmeyer
St. Johns River Water Management District

Aerial of Mosquito Lagoon

Key Accomplishments

Initiating diamondback terrapin turtle surveys to assess population density and distribution. The presence of this rare turtle has not been studied in Mosquito Lagoon.
Established our Citizen Support Organization (Coastal Preserve Alliance of East Central Florida) and organized “GobyFest” an annual event. We have increased community awareness of the invaluable resources in our aquatic preserve and accomplished special volunteer projects.
Participated in Space Coast Birding Festival guiding the ecoboat tour in Mosquito Lagoon. Staff promote aquatic preserves at local environmental events and conduct public educational workshops such as hosting a hurricane anchoring and mooring regulation workshop.

High Marsh Restoration

Mosquito ditching

Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, St. John’s River Water Management District, Volusia County Mosquito Control District, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are partnering on ongoing marsh restoration activities. The high marsh restoration project involves re-establishing marsh elevations to historic levels allowing recruitment of native vegetation and species such as fiddler crabs. The aquatic preserve staff has agreed to assist with resource monitoring of existing conditions of impoundments and mosquito control ditches and document post-restoration effects.

Quick Facts about Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve

Location:

Brevard and Volusia counties

Acreage

23,000 acres of sovereign submerged lands, of which 20,000 is part of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Contact:

Sharon Tyson
Aquatic Preserve Manager
3783 North Indian River Drive
Cocoa, FL 32926
(321)634-6148

Download a printable version of this page.

Further information about Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve

Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve Management Plan

Oyster bed

Black-crowned night heron

Black-crowned night heron surveying the exposed oyster beds

Alligator on bank

Alligator ready to enter water

Sunset at Mosquito Lagoon

Sunset in Mosquito Lagoon

This aquatic preserve represents one of the state’s most pristine waterbodies.
The northern Mosquito Lagoon supports 144 species and 58 families of fish.
The fish within the estuarine system form a species-rich assemblage important to commercial and recreational fisheries.
Salinity levels in the Mosquito Lagoon are comparable to ocean levels (32-34 ppt) allowing several fish species to spawn in the lagoon that would normally spawn in the ocean.
The Mosquito Lagoon supports the northernmost extent of red and black mangrove habitat, low marsh and high marsh habitats, extensive oyster bars, and tidal flats.

Last updated: June 25, 2008