Submerged aquatic vegetation, or "eel grass," a vital part of the St. Johns River ecosystem, has been largely absent since Hurricane Irma in 2017 due to factors such as increased salinity, sea-level rise, and storm-related turbidity. Grazing by fish, turtles, and manatees is also hindering the vegetation's return. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is working with concerned citizens to establish exclusion cages around areas where the grass is being grazed. The idea is to reestablish the grass beds to their capacity for grazing, but limit their grazing capacity to increase. However, initial results have not yet been seen.