News

FAU Harbor Branch and FWC scientists successfully caught, tagged and released a juvenile smalltooth sawfish in the Indian River Lagoon – a major step for sawfish research and recovery efforts in Florida... Read More

Researchers from FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, in collaboration with Cornell University, studied the relationship between cognition and the gut microbiome of captive zebra finches... Read More

We all know how important the Indian River Lagoon is, so researchers at FAU’s Harbor Branch have created the Indian River Lagoon Observatory Network (IRLON) to continuously monitor different water quality parameters. All this information is publicly accessible through our new website.

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Symposium is the result of a multi-institutional, multi-agency effort to provide a forum for discussing Indian River Lagoon science and its application to management of the lagoon. The symposium is open to scientists, decision makers, students, education and outreach professionals, and the interested public. The theme for the 2021 symposium is IRL Research during the Pandemic. Technical sessions consisting of oral and poster presentations will be held virtually on February 18 & 19… Register
Researcher Spotlight

FAU President John Kelly welcomed EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Florida Atlantic University this month for a discussion on marine litter and ocean plastics. FAU Harbor Branch Executive Director Jim Sullivan, Ph.D., and Researcher Tracy Mincer, Ph.D. joined the conversation. FAU Harbor Branch is leading research and awareness efforts to address the marine litter crisis and find solutions... Read More

Gabby Bararite, Ph.D., director of outreach and engagement, FAU’s Harbor Branch served as one of thirteen judges from across FAU who critiqued more than 150 photographs submitted for this year’s Art of Science photo contest. Hunter Hines, Ph.D. at FAU's Harbor Branch received an honorable mention for his image titled, "Green Sun." Hosted by the Division of Research, this is the second year of the contest, aimed at highlight the cutting-edge research scholarship and creative activity taking place in the field, in the lab and across all disciplines at FAU. The next round of voting, which determines the 2020 Art of Science People’s Choice award, is now in the hands of the world. Vote today, click here.
Initiatives

FAU's Harbor Branch is searching for mates that can help steer Semester by the Sea back on course and preserve our oceans’ health by inspiring and educating our youth… Read More
December Crowdfunding Mission

With its large pink shell, the iconic queen conch is deeply rooted in the way of life for Florida, The Bahamas and the rest of the Caribbean. However, intensive fishing and habitat degradation have caused queen conch populations to significantly dwindle throughout their range. For 40-years Megan Davis, Ph.D., Research Professor at Harbor Branch, has been studying the queen conch life cycle, and is the world’s foremost expert on queen conch aquaculture – the farming of queen conch. Her philosophy is to work in the communities, with the fishermen and citizens, to grow conch for food, restoration and conservation... Support 
Mission: Ocean Discovery

Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute will continue the Fall 2020 “John & Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series” virtually with the next lecture on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. The lecture will take place via Zoom. 

FAU Harbor Branch research professor Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D. will present “IRLON 2.0: Addressing Emerging Environmental Issues in the Indian River Lagoon” the following month. All lectures are free and open to the public; to register, visit https://bit.ly/3nPlH6e.

Bring Ocean Science for A Better World® right into your home with virtual resources from FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute! Online offerings include lectures, interviews with marine scientists, activities for children and much more! Visit our virtual resources page to learn about these great opportunities for teachers, students and ocean lovers of all ages!... Learn More

As a health and safety precaution, FAU's Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Visitors Center is temporarily closed. Please check back for updates.

Visit FAU's Harbor Branch social media channels for daily research highlights, facts and trivia questions.

Also, make sure to check out our new online gift shop!

Through FAU's Harbor Branch Speakers Bureau, community organizations may request a virtual presentation on a specific research topic or a general overview of FAU's Harbor Branch. This program provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the institute’s most recent discoveries and connect with marine science experts. There is no charge for scheduling a speaker, however an honorarium or donation is encouraged.

If you would like to request a virtual speaker for your group/event, please fill out FAU's Harbor Branch Speakers Bureau request form.