A Stunning Wildlife Recovery: Hotdog and Donatello’s Journey Back to the Gulf
The Gulfarium CARE Center released two rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtles, Hotdog and Donatello, at Inlet Beach after both recovered from fishing‑hook injuries. Crowds gathered to watch the pair return to the Gulf, marking another successful rescue effort supported by the St. Joe Community Foundation and local wildlife partners.
After Bertha Passes, Three Sea Turtles Finally Swim Free
Three rehabilitated sea turtles returned to the Gulf of Mexico Friday after Tropical Storm Bertha delayed their release. Gulfarium CARE Center staff released Frida, Ziti and Monroe at James Lee Park following medical treatment for fishing injuries and a dramatic rescue from the rocks at Norriego Point.
Carlos, Gourdon, and Kora Swim Free After Rehabilitation Journey
Hundreds gathered at Inlet Beach to cheer as rehabilitated sea turtles Carlos, Gourdon, and Kora returned home to the Gulf.
CCA Florida and Okaloosa County Team Up for Redfish Release
Destin-Fort Walton Beach and CCA Florida released 25,000 juvenile redfish into Cinco Bayou to boost declining populations, improve ecosystems, and support local anglers.
Gulfarium Celebrates 70 Years with Year-Long Events, Discounted Admission
From leaping dolphins to a 70-year-old manatee, Gulfarium is throwing a year-long party to celebrate seven decades on the Emerald Coast.
Lionfish Tournament Returns to Destin-Fort Walton Beach This May
The Emerald Coast Open returns to Destin-Fort Walton Beach from May 16–18, 2025, bringing divers, chefs, and the community together to remove invasive lionfish from local waters.
SS United States to Depart Philadelphia, Begin Transformation into Artificial Reef
The SS United States will depart Philadelphia on Feb. 17, 2025, for Mobile, Alabama, where it will undergo a year-long preparation to become the world’s largest artificial reef. Once deployed off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast, the reef will support marine life and boost diving and fishing tourism.
ANOTHER delay hampers SS United States trip to the bottom of the Gulf.
The SS United States is set to leave Philadelphia on February 8, 2025, en route to Mobile, Alabama, where contractors will prepare it for deployment as the world’s largest artificial reef. The transformation will take approximately a year, with the final reef location expected to be 20 nautical miles south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa County will also develop a museum to preserve the ship’s history.
Emerald Coast Open Helps Control Invasive Lionfish
The Emerald Coast Open lionfish tournament, held from May 17-19, saw divers remove 11,844 invasive lionfish from the Gulf of Mexico throughout the event. Participants competed for $125,000 in prizes, with winners including VJL Seafood, Deep Water Mafia El Gato Negro, Lookin’ Back, and Bob Brown. The tournament also featured the Lionfish Festival and Restaurant Week, promoting conservation and culinary innovation with lionfish dishes.
These Unique Concrete Blocks Will Change The Shape of Okaloosa County’s Diving and Fishing Industries
Marine life in the Gulf of Mexico celebrates a significant expansion in its habitat thanks to a $1.26 million artificial reef project. Funded by the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Fund, this initiative has not only created new underwater habitats but also promises to invigorate the region’s fishing and tourism industries.
