March 2022

The 2022 Celebrating 50 Years of Ocean Science for a Better WorldĀ® Lecture Series provides a forum for the community to learn about FAU Harbor Branchā€™s most recent discoveries directly from the scientists and engineers who make them. 
 
In response to the rise in cases of COVID-19 and deep concern for our visitors, lectures celebrating FAU Harbor Branchā€™s 50th Anniversary of Ocean Science for a Better WorldĀ® will be hosted in a limited-capacity only. To attend these premier access showings, we invite you to join our Benefactors Society. Benefactors Society members will be emailed prior to each lecture with information and instructions on how to RSVP.
March 2
"19,000 Test Tubes: 37 Years of Microbial Research at Harbor Branch" 
Peter McCarthy, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch 
 
March 9
"Zephyrus, Poseidon and Charybdis: An Ocean Tale" 
Laurent ChƩrubin, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch
March 23
"Looking Deeply: Deep Sea Discoveries and Adventures with the Johnson-Sea-Link Submersibles"
John Reed, M.S., Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D., Amy Wright, Ph.D. and Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch
 
March 30
"From Clams to Corals: It's a Long Story!" 
David Vaughan, Ph.D., Plant a Million Corals Foundation
For more information or to watch live, click here. 
 
FAU Harbor Branch's relentless pursuit of innovative ocean research depends on strong partnerships with our supporters. We invite you to join us as we celebrate our storied past, present successes and exciting future by joining the FAU Harbor Branch Benefactors Society. 
 
Benefactors Society members support vital needs that enable FAU Harbor Branch to continue expanding our core initiatives to make a significant and timely impacts on critical ocean issues... Learn more
Sponsors updated as of 12/17/2021. For more information on sponsorship opportunities click here. 
Research Spotlights
 
A study led by FAU is the first to unveil the prevalence of plastics in the entire water column of an offshore plastic accumulation zone in the southern Atlantic Ocean and implicates the ocean interior as a crucial pool of ā€˜missingā€™ plastics.

Results, published in the journal Global Change Biology, demonstrate that small microplastics are critical, underexplored and integral to the oceanic plastic inventory. In addition, findings show that weak ocean current systems contribute to the formation of small microplastics hotspots at depth, suggesting a higher encounter rate for subsurface particle feeders like zooplankton.

ā€œOur study highlights the urgency for more quantification of the deep-ocean microplastics, especially the smaller size fraction, to better understand ecosystem exposure and to predict the fate and impacts of these microplastics,ā€ said Tracy Mincer, Ph.D., senior author and an assistant professor of biology at FAU Harbor Branch and FAU Wilkes Honors College... Read more

The manatee population in Florida was largely impacted last year. More than 1,000 of them died in 2021, due mostly to starvation. They consume about 100 pounds of seagrass a day, and this staple food is now scarce in Floridaā€™s Indian River Lagoon, a 156-mile-long estuary along the stateā€™s east coast.
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Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D., from FAU Harbor Branch, is investigating the cause of this seagrass loss and contributing to important restoration efforts in the lagoon. He collaborated on a study with researchers from the St. Johns River Water Management District to examine the extent and cover of seagrasses in the Indian River Lagoon. Researchers used data from two independent lines of evidence ā€“ large-scale maps and fixed transects. Maps documented locations and large ranges of seagrass beds periodically since the 1940s, and surveys of fixed transects generated changes in percent cover and depths at the end of the canopy since 1994... Read more

FAU Harbor Branch Microbiology team member, Hunter Hines, Ph.D., co-authored a newly released article in Global Ecology and Conservation that discusses the impact of the conservation-themed videos from the YouTube channel Brave Wilderness. With four billion views and over 18 million subscribers, the widely-consumed and unique educational tool is providing entertaining and impactful learning opportunities for future conservationists. Download the article to learn more.
 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's Office of Ocean Exploration and research partners, including FAU Harbor Branch biological scientist, Stephanie Farrington, conducted an ocean exploration expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. The Windows to the Deep 2021: Southeast ROV and Mapping expedition collected critical information about the deepwater areas of the Blake Plateau region of the North Atlantic Ocean. 

This expedition took place over the course of 21-days at sea, completing 14 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives, mapping over 15,800 square kilometers of the seafloor, collecting 79 biological samples and four geological samples, and had more than 127 science participants from 11 different countries with over 70,000 live video views. Learn more about this expedition.
Student Spotlight
FAU Harbor Branch Student Association Hosts New Student Welcome Night 
 
FAU Harbor Branch's Student Association hosted a New Student Welcome Night to connect new and returning students across various disciplines, programs and interests through an engaging and casual setting. In addition to refreshments and information sessions, the event included a sustainability-focused activity ā€“ adding 12 native milkweed, blanketflower, purple coneflower and blue daze plants to the campus courtyard.  
 
New Student Welcome Night was a success and well received by over the 20 executive, members and Semester by the Sea student participants!
In the News
 
Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D., research professor and director of education at FAU Harbor Branch, spoke to PBS correspondent Miles O'Brien, to discuss FAU Harbor Branch's creative solutions to restore lost seagrass beds in the Indian River Lagoon and offers perspective on Florida's manatee population decline and supplemental feeding attempts... Read more
Local Media Partners Feature New FAU Harbor Branch Dolphin Spotter Citizen Science 
 
WPBF - News Channel 25 
 
WPTV - News Channel 5
Marine Biology Podcast, Hosted by FAU Alum, Features FAU Harbor Branch in Recent Episode
 
Kara Grace Muzia, FAU Harbor Branch alumna and host of "So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist," featured Steve Burton, director, Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment Team, FAU Harbor Branch, on a recent episode. In this podcast, Burton talks about his education and career journey, marine mammal training and FAU's Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment Team. 
 
Tune into the latest episode, "Steve Burton: Baby Dolphins, Seal Training, and Marine Mammal Response," also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your favorite podcast platform.
Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment Team
On Thursday, Jan. 27, staff from FAU Harbor Branch Stranding and Population Assessment team assisted Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) researchers and partner agencies in releasing an 8-foot-6-inch female manatee, named Aiya, in Rivera Beach. Members from our team assisted FWC in the rescue of Aiya in February 2021, and due to her young age when rescued, Aiya spent the next 11 months at rehabilitation facilities at SeaWorld Orlando and The Seas with Nemo and Friends attraction at Walt Disney World's Epcot. 
 
We are excited to have the opportunity to participate in her release back into the wild.
 
Activities were conducted under USFWS permit MA770191. 
 
If you ever see an injured, entangled or stranded manatee, dolphin or whale in Florida, please call the FWC hotline at 1-888-404-3922.
Community

Jim Sullivan, PH.D., executive director, FAU Harbor Branch and appointed member of the Florida Blue-Green Algae Task Force, attended a recent meeting held at the University of Florida in Gainesville. During the meeting, a presentation on the state's onsite sewage treatment and disposal system program was given, followed by a presentation on key focus points and future initiatives of the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency (OEAT)... Learn more
Mission: Ocean Discovery
 
Join us for Science Saturday at FAU Harbor Branch's Ocean Discovery Visitors Center for fun-filled, outdoor events. Bring the whole family and learn from our experts while participating in a variety of exciting, interactive activities!

Science Saturday events will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 26, April 23, and May 28... Learn more
FAU Harbor Branch Highlights New Dolphin Spotter Project at Manatee Center's NatureFest in Fort Pierce
 
FAU Harbor Branch experts recently attended Manatee Observation and Education Center's "NatureFest" celebration in Fort Pierce! This educational environmental festival featured numerous exhibits showcasing the Treasure Coast's wildlife, natural resources and Florida's great outdoors! Learn more about "NatureFest."
 
FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce is welcoming the public to join researchers in collecting information on wild dolphin populations through ā€œDolphin Spotter,ā€ a new land-based citizen science project. 

The land-based "Dolphin Spotter" project encourages participants from across Florida to submit observations and photos of dolphins from land through the web-based sighting submission portal. Submissions will be added to FAU Harbor Branch's Stranding and Population Assessment Teamā€™s database to support research efforts on dolphins living in the Indian River Lagoon. With thousands of miles along Floridaā€™s coastline, citizen scientists can capture areas that traditional surveys donā€™t reach... Read more

FAU Harbor Branch is currently accepting entries for our fourth annual Ocean Science Art Contest! Submissions will be accepted until March 18... Learn more 

Through FAU Harbor Branch Speakers Bureau, community organizations may request a virtual presentation on a specific research topic or a general overview of FAU Harbor Branch. This program provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the instituteā€™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 Harbor Branch Speakers Bureau request form.

The Indian River Lagoon Observatory Network of Environmental Sensors (IRLON) is a system of water quality and weather monitoring stations that were strategically placed throughout the lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary. Did you know FAU Harbor Branch has a website where you can access current and historic IRLON data? Visit the IRLON portal here to check out water temperature, salinity, wind gusts, rainfall, and more anytime, anywhere.
 
Bring Ocean Science for A Better WorldĀ® right into your home with virtual resources from FAU 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
Stop by the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center gift shop! The center will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. Or shop online at our FAU Harbor Branch gift shop here.
Support FAU Harbor Branch
By celebrating and supporting our 50th Anniversary, your organization will become a part of the legacy that has long informed ocean science research and global conservation efforts. Your unique position as a sponsor of our milestone celebration will provide your organization with exposure to a community that so deeply cares about the most pressing environmental issues of our time.
Take part in celebrating our storied past, present successes and exciting future. Benefactors Society members enable FAU Harbor Branch to continue expanding our core initiatives to make a significant and timely impact on critical ocean issues. Our work depends on strong partnerships with our supporters. We can only make a difference together. Our work depends on strong partnerships with our supporters. From preserving thousands of plant and animal species to buoying coastal communitiesā€™ economies, to understanding the interconnection between human health and ocean health; we can only make a difference together.

FAU Funder, FAUā€™s crowdfunding platform, features several of FAU Harbor Branchā€™s research projects. You can help save the queen conch, support plastic pollution studies in local waters, fund beluga whale research in the Arctic or help researchers as they use deep sea molecules for potential life-saving medicines. Please visit FAU Funder for detailed information on each project. Your contributions can make a difference!