|
Faculty Progress Report 05-4
July - August 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
CONTENTS
|
|
1. Upcoming Sea Grant Opportunities & Deadlines |
|
|
2. Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council Created
|
|
|
|
|
| Contact: | |
|
|
|
2. Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council Created
Governor Jeb Bush has signed legislation that establishes a statewide oversight group tasked with coordinating public and private ocean research for more effective coastal management. The law builds upon a foundation laid last year by Governor Bush to further coastal protection through the Florida Oceans Initiative and a regional Gulf of Mexico alliance between the federal government and the five Gulf States.
“Florida’s efforts to advance ocean and coastal management through sound science will benefit from a single coordinating committee,” said Governor Bush. “The Council will bring together a diversity of interests to help close the science gap, enhance environmental stewardship and strengthen natural resource conservation and restoration.”
House Bill 1855 creates a Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council to be appointed by the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Commissioner of Agriculture. The Council will develop priorities for ocean and coastal research, and establish a statewide ocean research plan.
House Bill 1855 directs the Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council to:
- Encourage and support public-private partnerships to leverage funds and maximize opportunities for preserving coastal resources.
- Create a comprehensive repository for marine and coastal science and research data.
- Complete a Florida Oceans and Coastal Scientific Research Plan by January 15, 2006.
- Prepare a comprehensive oceans and coastal resource assessment by December 1, 2006.
“With the importance of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico to the character and economy of Florida, we are excited to be a partner in this effort,” FWC executive director Kenneth Haddad said. “The Council will enable us to improve the management of these resources and nurture the quality of life here.”
Fifteen people were appointed to the Council on August 12, 2005. They are:
DEP Appointees:
- Dr. Karl Havens - Chair of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida
- Dr. Thomas D. Waite - Dean of the College of Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology
- Dr. John C. Ogden - Director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography and Professor of Biology, University of South Florida
- Dr. Thomas N. Lee - Research Professor of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami
- Dr. Lisa Robbins - Chief Scientists, United States Geological Survey Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies
FWC Appointees:
- Billy Causey - Superintendent, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
- Dr. James C. Cato - Director, Florida Sea Grant
- Dr. Shirley Pomponi - President and Chief Executive Officer, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
- Dr. Jerome Lorenz - Research Director, National Audubon Society's Tavernier Science Center
- Dr. R. Grant Gilmore - Senior Aquatic Scientist, Dynamac Corporation
DACS Appointees:
- Jane Davis - Aquarium Director, The Living Seas at Walt Disney World's Epcot®
- Dr. Ernest Estevez - Director, Mote Marine Laboratory's Center for Coastal Ecology
- Rob Kramer - President, International Game Fish Association
- Jerry Sansom - Executive Director, Organized Fishermen of Florida
- Jody Thomas - Director, The Nature Conservancy's South Florida Region
For more information on HB 1855 visit www.myflorida.com.