Good Morning from Sebastian Florida

Good morning from the dock along the Indian River Lagoon in Sebastian, Florida. Here’s your daily waterfront weather, fishing, and wildlife report for Wednesday May 20, 2026.

I stared the morning at the Living Shoreline project that I volunteer for.  Look how beautiful it is right now!

Then I took off for some water quality sampling for ORCA at the Little Hollywood Marina.  That's todays video.  Then after doing down to Vero to do some lab work on the samples, I drove home on the beach and stopped at my favorite sandwich shop, Beach Bites, and took a stroll on the beach.  All by 1 PM!

🌤 Waterfront Weather Conditions

Time: 9:30 AM

Air Temperature: 82°F - high of 85

Humidity: 73%

Wind Direction & Speed: East at 10+ MPH

Tide Stage: High at 10:30 AM and Low around 5 PM

Water Conditions: I light chop on the San Sebastian river

General Observations:

A huge oyster bed is growing under the dock on the San Sebastian river.  The water is definitely high in tannins but it is also clear.  Surprisingly so I thought.

Lagoon Living Tip for the Day:

Create a small pollinator garden.

Native flowers help support bees, butterflies, and birds while reducing the need for fertilizers and irrigation.

 

🎣 Fishing Activity & Wildlife Sightings

Great news for the lagoon.  Seagrass is expanding!  Read on.....

Seagrass coverage in the Indian River Lagoon is experiencing a massive, natural rebound. Recent surveys by the St. Johns River Water Management District reveal that lagoon-wide seagrass increased by 72% between 2023 and 2025. This expansion covers roughly 13,000 football fields, marking a critical step in the waterway's ecological recovery. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Data & Recovery Metrics
  • Total Coverage: Reached 17,042 hectares (about 42,000 acres).
  • Recent Growth: Jumped from 9,924 hectares in 2023, representing a 72% increase in just two years.
  • Increased Density: Transect surveys show that the grass is not just spreading across a larger area, but getting thicker. The average length of seagrass shoots more than doubled during the same period.
  • Long-Term Deficit: Despite the massive gains, the lagoon is still about 47% short of its historical peaks recorded in 2007 and 2009. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Reasons for the Rebound
  • Water Quality Improvements: Clearer water—aided in part by multi-year drought conditions resulting in less polluted runoff—has allowed sunlight to reach the lagoon floor.
  • Targeted Cleanup Projects: Decades of localized restoration are finally paying off. Projects such as "muck" dredging, canal diversions, and septic-to-sewer conversions (like those funded by the Save Our Indian River Lagoon sales tax in Brevard County) have significantly reduced nutrient pollution entering the water. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Why It Matters
Seagrass is the foundation of the lagoon's food web. Its revival is already resulting in a noticeable return of crabs, baitfish, manatees, and dolphins. Since 75% of the fish species that anglers catch and eat spend a portion of their life cycle in these habitats, the expansion is vital for the local ecosystem and coastal economy. [1, 2, 3, 4]
For a closer look at what the latest data reveals about the lagoon's environmental comeback:

 

🌊 Indian River Lagoon Spotlight

Featured Organization: The Source

The Source in Vero Beach provides food assistance, social services, education programs, and support for individuals experiencing hardship. Their work strengthens the human side of the community that surrounds the lagoon.

 

🏡 Sebastian & Vero Real Estate Suggestion of The Day

Check the orientation of outdoor spaces.

A backyard that catches the afternoon sun may feel very different from one that enjoys morning light and evening shade. In Florida, sun exposure can influence comfort, landscaping, and energy use.

Considering Buying or Selling Lagoon Lifestyle Property?

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in Sebastian, Vero Beach, or anywhere along the Treasure Coast, I’m always happy to provide current market insight and personalized guidance.

Chris Norris
www.chrisnorrisrealestate.com
772.268.1511

Follow my daily Dock Reports here:
www.chrisnorrisrealestate.com/blog

Check out my Zen and General Nature Videos on my Playlists at:

https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisNorrisRealEstate