The second in a series of marine sanctuary books edited by Florida Sea Grant marine extension agent Maia McGuire has now been published. “Explore the West Coast National Marine Sanctuaries” is available through Ocean Publishing, a publisher located in Flagler Beach, Fla., who approaced McGuire about compiling materials for the series. The 350-page book has…
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Three graduate students at Florida universities have been named recipients of scholarships from the Aylesworth Foundation for the Advancement of Marine Science. The winners are Jeffrey Ellis, a master’s student at Nova Southeastern University; Christy Foust, a doctoral student at University of South Florida; and Michael Dickson, a master’s student at University of Florida. Since…
DetailsFlorida Sea Grant is partnering with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Florida Center for Environmental Studies to provide information to water managers on how climate change may affect future water in south Florida. The availability of water is always a concern in populous southern Florida, both for the people who live there and the…
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A record five graduate students at universities in Florida have been awarded $5,000 scholarships as winners of the Guy Harvey Scholarship, recognizing their outstanding achievement in marine science research. The winners are Felipe Carvalho and Sarah Stephens, University of Florida; M. Laura Habegger, University of South Florida; Sean Bignami, University of Miami; and Kier Smith,…
DetailsFlorida Sea Grant, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Lee and Pinellas county extension offices hosted the workshops “Adaptive Planning for Sea-Level Rise: Legal Issues for Local Government” on January 18 and 19 in Lee and Pinellas counties, respectively. The workshops includes and overview of the science and predictions of sea-level rise for…
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December 1, 2011 — Florida Sea Grant Director Karl Havens received a two-year grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to hire an education/outreach coordinator who will focus on the effects of sea-level rise on Florida’s unique and diverse coastal natural resources. In addition to serving as the primary resource and clearinghouse…
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Here’s a business tip about farming fish in Florida that may surprise you. The real opportunity in culturing saltwater fish may not be for a food fish at all. Instead, industry watchers think there’s more to gain by growing baitfish – the pinfish, pigfish, killifish and other minnows that recreational anglers use to catch popular…
DetailsDespite the importance of the blue crab fishery to Florida’s coastal communities, derelict blue crab traps are a growing problem. In recent years, however, awareness of the impact derelict traps have on marine life, the environment and public safety has increased. In May 2011, Charlotte County Sea Grant Extension Agent Betty Staugler began a project…
DetailsGovernor Scott recently signed a bill passed by the Florida Legislature that makes significant changes to comprehensive planning in the state. This brief note is not intended to give a complete summary of the bill, which is almost 200 pages, but to mention some of the most significant changes included in the law before looking more carefully at the implications for planning in coastal communities.
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by Mickie Anderson, UF/IFAS News A new Florida Sea Grant study of artificial reef use in six Southwest Florida counties shows the structures lure a lot more than fish. The reefs, which provide habitat for popular sport fish and other marine life, pulled more than $253 million into the region during one year, the study…
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