Southwest Florida CISMA

06/03/2026

Biological control (biocontrol) is another valuable tool for managing invasive species. While herbicide, prescribed fire, and manual removal remain essential management strategies, approved biocontrol agents can help suppress certain invasive plants by reducing their growth and spread over time.

Florida success stories include:
🥔 Air potato beetles
🐞 Brazilian Pepper thrips
🪲 Melaleuca weevils
🐛 Lygodium moths and mites

Biocontrol works best as part of an integrated management approach and can help support long-term invasive species control efforts. Many approved biocontrol agents are available through USDA and partner programs 🌿

05/25/2026

Tegus are spreading across Florida after being introduced through the pet trade.

These invasive lizards threaten native wildlife and are a Prohibited Species in Florida.

See one? Learn how to report a sighting from The Croc Docs ➡️ https://bit.ly/3NNiItY

04/29/2026

What a weekend! 🎣 The SWFL CISMA Invasive Freshwater Fish Roundup brought out 32 teams, removing over 3,900 pounds (more than 5,200 invasive fish!!) from our local waterways 👏

The UF IFAS Florida LAKEWATCH team collected ~300 fish samples for mercury analysis, helping inform fish consumption and water quality research. Many of the fish removed will also be repurposed by local farmers for compost, turning removal into a resource 🌱

It was great to see so many partners, volunteers, and community members come together for this effort. Can’t wait for next year!!

04/27/2026

Check out this amazing work UF IFAS Florida Lake Watch facilitated at our event yesterday!

Our UF IFAS Florida LAKEWATCH team collected about 300 fish samples during the 2026 SWFL Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) Invasive Freshwater Fish Roundup held in Fort Myers on April 26.

The samples will be tested for mercury level in our LAKEWATCH lab.

LAKEWATCH team members Celine Lajoie, Ph.D, doctoral candidate Baylor Lynch, and LAKEWATCH Director Gretchen Lescord, Ph.D., were all on hand for the collection along with awesome volunteers with CISMA and their agency collaborators including MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife.

So many folks helped us with sample processing and distributing our consumption survey. We would like to especially thank UF IFAS Collier County Sea Grant Extension Program Agent and SFFGS alumnus Michael Sipos for his collaboration on this project.

Local news coverage: https://www.winknews.com/news/lee/invasive-freshwater-fish-roundup-in-fort-myers-helps-fuel-research/article_b3001e0d-261e-4eb1-93ec-a9c24c6e3bc5.html

Learn more about LAKEWATCH: https://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/
Learn more about CISMA: [email protected]

04/23/2026

Do you know your local invasive fish?👀

Today is the LAST day to sign up for the SWFL CISMA Invasive Freshwater Fish Roundup (April 24–26)!

Whether you already know your oscars from your tilapia, or you’re just getting started, this is a great chance to learn invasive fish ID while making a real impact on our local waterways.

📍 Final weigh-in: Sunday, April 26 (12–3 PM) at Bass Pro Shops, Fort Myers. Free and open to the public with fish on display, hands-on learning stations, and family-friendly activities. Try the Education Passport for a chance to win prizes!

Register and get more info here: bit.ly/2026ROUNDUP

04/14/2026

Ready to reel in some impact?🎣 Join us for the SWFL CISMA Annual Invasive Fish Roundup, where removing invasive species helps protect our native ecosystems across Southwest Florida!
From tilapia to cichlids and many other invasive fish, every catch makes a difference in restoring balance to our waterways. Bring your competitive spirit - prizes are involved 👀

📅 Happening in just a couple weeks! See last photo for more info.
🔗 Register & get details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983083649579

See you there! 🐟

04/12/2026

An elusive invader is slipping through South Florida’s canals and scientists need your help to track it.

Asian swamp eels are hard to detect, but residents and outdoor enthusiasts are becoming a critical part of early detection efforts during . A single sighting could make a difference.

Learn how you can help stop their spread 🔗 tr.ee/soKc9dm_d8

04/08/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended the SWFL CISMA 2026 Invasive Species Symposium! 🐍🌿

A day of learning, collaboration, and connection centered around protecting our region from invasive species. We're grateful for the growing network of partners working together across Southwest Florida. Thank you to FGCU Wings of Hope for all their help 🐾

See you at the 2026 Invasive Fish Round Up soon!

03/31/2026

The SWFL CISMA 2026 Annual Symposium is tomorrow! Join us for a full day of presentations about current projects and techniques for invasive species management in Southwest Florida🦎🌱

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southwest-florida-cisma-2026-invasive-species-symposium-tickets-1984186482181?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

03/25/2026

The 2026 SWFL CISMA Annual Symposium is one week away! Here is a sneak peak of the presentations
- full schedule will be on our Eventbrite. Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southwest-florida-cisma-2026-invasive-species-symposium-tickets-1984186482181?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

See you soon 🐍🌿