Oysters in the Pensacola Bay system are in critical condition, while seagrass beds have leveled off but remain far below their historic extent. That’s according to the biennial “State of the Bays” report released Tuesday by the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program. The report paints a picture of contrasts: some progress in water quality, but keystone habitats still under strain, and aging infrastructure adding new pressures.
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“Just like people need health checkups, so do our waters,” program director Matt Posner said. “The State of the Bays Report provides a snapshot of key ecosystem health metrics for the Pensacola and Perdido Bay watersheds, and serves as a centralized source of information for the community to learn more about the condition of our local waterways.”…