CONTACT US: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 100 Eighth Avenue SE St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 727-896-8626 http://MyFWC.com/ BoatingGuides Boating_Guides@ MyFWC.com Partial funding for this project was obtained through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Fund.

The Pensacola Bay system spans two counties, Escambia and Santa Rosa, and encompasses 144 square miles of surface water. Popular for sport and recreation, the Pensacola Bay system also supports one of the world’s most productive natural systems. Estuaries like Pensacola Bay, where saltwater from the sea and freshwater from rivers and uplands mix, are nurseries for young fish, shrimp, and crabs. More than 70% of all fish, shellfish, and crustaceans spend some critical stage of their development in these nearshore waters, protected from larger predators that swim the open sea. Wildlife abounds along the shores of the Pensacola Bay System. Many species of birds, from the familiar brown pelican to the breathtaking bald eagle, nest in this area. Others, including sandpipers and numerous species of ducks are seasonal visitors. By boating safely, and with greater awareness of the natural environment, boaters can help protect Pensacola Bay and the wildlife that depends on these waters for survival. By knowing and obeying some simple rules, you can help to sustain and preserve this natural system. This Web site was last updated on March, 2012. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about this Web site, please e-mail us at boating_guides@MyFWC.com. Would you like to receive notices of changes to this Web site and the Boating and Angling Guide to Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties? If so, please e-mail us and include SUBSCRIBE-ESR in the subject line.