Whether you live, work, or play in Fort Lauderdale, chances are you do not go a day without catching a glimpse of the New River, Intracoastal Water Way, or the Atlantic Ocean. The marine and tourism industries alike rely on the preservation and safety of waters in our City. Healthy water is not only good for our economy, but it is also good for our wild marine neighbors such as Sea Turtles, Manatees, and the numerous fish species that call Fort Lauderdale home.
Sea Turtle
Manatee Cropped

Sea Turtles

There are seven species of sea turtles and five of them, including the Kemp’s Ridley, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback, are found in Florida. All are endangered, meaning that they could possibly become extinct, with the exception of the Loggerhead which is threatened. In Fort Lauderdale are, we have the Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback Sea Turtles. To learn more visit our Sea Turtle overview page, and to find out more about protection, education and volunteer opportunities, visit our detailed Sea Turtle Conservation webpages.

Manatees

Manatees are large, slow moving marine mammals. The Florida Manatee that you see here in Fort Lauderdale especially in the winter is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. Special No Wake Zones in our City are designed to protect these gentle creatures. Learn more by reading our Manatee webpage.

Native Fish Species

When swimming, boating, or paddling in one of Fort Lauderdale’s waterways, you are not alone. Native fish can be found in fresh, brackish, and salt water all throughout our area. From catfish, to gar, to sharks, there is no lack of variety. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission maintains detailed listings of freshwater and saltwater fish.  There you can find information on individual species including native status, pictures, habitat and behavior information, and fishing tips.

Fishing is a large part of Fort Lauderdale and regional tourism. Whether you enjoy fishing or not, it's a fact that most fisherman are conservationists, and we appreciate that. From ridding our waters of invasive nuisance fish to advocating for protection of endangered species, our native fish are better off being part of this thriving community. 

Find our more by visiting the International Game Fish Association - Conservation webpage. Or, use the FWC's Fish Range Finder App, pictured below. Be patient. Its powerful database may take a few moments to load on your screen.

FWC Fish Range Finder