August 2019
Scientists from  Florida Atlantic University’s  Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, will partner with future U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists to address warm water finfish aquaculture demands. This year, FAU’s Harbor Branch has received $2.4 million from the USDA to help initiate a project that will boost the nation’s aquaculture industry. As the largest importer of seafood products, expanding domestic production will reduce the nation’s reliance on imports and reduce the seafood trade deficit.
FAU Harbor Branch researcher Josh Voss and members of his coral research lab were recently aboard R/V Manta conducting ROV-based surveys of the mesophotic coral ecosystems around Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Among other goals, the team collected samples to assess the horizontal and vertical genetic connectivity among select coral and sponge subpopulations in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Viewers had a great time watching live through the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration (GFO) live stream of the dives at Alderdice, McGrail, Sonnier, and Geyer Banks. 
The Harbor Branch Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology (CIOERT) Research Cruise returned on Thursday, Aug. 29. The 16-day cruise explored coral reef sites within and adjacent to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) as well as locations in Pulley Ridge on board the R/V  Walton Smith. FAU Harbor Branch research professor, John Reed served as chief scientist for leg 1 of the cruise using the UNCW  Mohawk ROV to map and survey selected areas of interest.  Joshua Voss, CIOERT Executive Director, and FAU Harbor Branch researcher led the technical dives during the 2nd leg of the cruise.  
In order to mitigate the harmful algal blooms plaguing Florida’s waters, coastal managers need to better understand and monitor them. Aditya R. Nayak, Ph.D., of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, is developing tools to peer into blooms and suss out the dynamics that allow this dangerously high level of naturally occurring organisms to grow out of control.
Student Spotlight
FAU Harbor Branch (past and present) was well represented at this year’s Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists conference in Snowbird, Utah. The annual meeting includes participation of biologists who study fishes (bony and cartilaginous), reptiles, and amphibians. The FAU Harbor Branch researchers and students presented papers and posters on various topics including shark migrations and habitat use, historical catch trends, goliath grouper behavioral ecology, and using passive acoustics to detect predation by mollusk-consuming fishes.
NOAA and Sea Grant recently announced FAU Harbor Branch graduate Amelia Grace Roskar as one of the 69 finalists selected for the 2020 class of the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program in Washington, D.C. The 2020 Knauss finalists will become the 41st class of the fellowship and will join a group of over 1,300 professionals who have received hands-on experiences transferring science to policy and management through one-year appointments with federal government offices in Washington, D.C. 
FAU Harbor Branch Summer Link Intern, Yanelys Cantillo Villa presented her summer research at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia during the 7th Annual Seminar on Ocean Sciences. Her research topic is titled, "Florida Fighting Conch,  Strombus Alatus, Captive Breeding Program in an IMTA System for the Food and Aquarium Market." Yanelys is an undergraduate student at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. 
In the News
Sarah Milton, Ph.D., co-director of the Marine Science and Oceanography (MSO) program, professor and interim chair of  biological sciences in FAU’s College of Science and her graduate student Heather Seamen are committed to protecting sea turtles. They were recently interviewed on German Public Radio about the hazards facing hatchling sea turtles on the beach and as a result of climate change.
Florida Senate President Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) announced the appointment of James M. Sullivan Ph.D., the executive director of F lorida Atlantic University’s  Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute to the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative Advisory Council.The purpose of the initiative is to develop technologies and approaches needed to address the control and mitigation of red tide and its impacts. Read More
Florida Keys Turtle Project

Check out this documentary short chronicling FORCE BLUE's work with FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, The Turtle Hospital, Inwater Research...

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Mission: Ocean Discovery
FAU Harbor Branch is a proud sponsor of this years International Coastal Cleanup coordinated by Keep Martin Beautiful. Join us for the International Coastal Cleanup 2019 on September 21, 2019, the world's largest, one-day volunteer effort to clean up the marine environment. Keep Martin Beautiful is making a concerted effort to ensure every beach, park and waterway in Martin County - no matter how small - is cared for during the International Coastal Cleanup! To register to participate, click  HERE .
Celebrate 100-year history of the Sebastian Inlet with FAU Harbor Branch. Stop by our booth during the Sebastian Inlet Centennial Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 14 between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We will be stationed by ROAM’s Surfside Grill & Adventure at the  Sebastian Inlet State Park. 
About Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute: 
Founded in 1971, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University is a research community of marine scientists, engineers, educators and other professionals focused on Ocean Science for a Better World. The institute drives innovation in ocean engineering, at-sea operations, drug discovery and biotechnology from the oceans, coastal ecology and conservation, marine mammal research and conservation, aquaculture, ocean observing systems and marine education.