Bryan Fluech |
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Collier County, located on the southwest tip of Florida's Gulf coast harbors over thirty-seven miles of barrier islands with extensive tracks of mangrove forest and other estuarine environments. It is also a part of the original Everglades water flow way. Natural areas of interest include Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Big Cypress Basin, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Cape Romano-Ten Thousand Island Aquatic Preserve and Everglades National Park. Over half of the county is in public ownership, managed by either state or federal agencies.
Collier County is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Agriculture, tourism, recreational fishing, boating, and commercial crabbing are important revenue sources in the county. Its sub-tropical climate and natural diversity make it a year-round tourist destination and it has a large seasonal resident population. The county's coastline is heavily used by several stakeholder groups and this has placed stress on the county's coastal and marine resources.
Conflict over public access, water quality, declining fisheries and recreational use of resources are critical issues in the county. Balancing the needs of the coastal environments with the needs of the growing population with be essential components to the preservation of the county's resources. Continued science-based education and research programs will be key to accomplishing these goals.
Bryan is located at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples, FL. His responsibilities include developing comprehensive marine and natural resource educational programs that focuses on marine recreational fisheries; commercial fisheries; industries that include marina, sport shops and other fishing-related businesses; artificial reefs; and habitat/water quality issues related to fisheries. Bryan will conduct issue-based educational programs through workshops, conferences, publications and electronic media. He will reach various audiences that are associated with the recreational and commercial fishing sector, including fishing groups, marine and coastal resource users, marine management agencies, public and private organizations, youth groups and educational institutions.
Education
BS, Biology, University of Tennessee, 1998
M. Ed, Science Education, University of Florida, 2006