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Film Festival Fun
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute kicks off the 2023 International Ocean Film Festival Florida Tour on June 2.
Attendees view award-winning independent films, as well hear from FAU Harbor Branch scientists as the delve into the critical topics featured in the films. Learn more.
Also, check out Jim Masterson, Ph.D., assistant research professor at FAU Harbor Branch, on In Focus, with IRSC Public Media, discussing the festival. Listen here.
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Dangerous Seaweed
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute scientists recently published a new study that examines the link between Vibrio, sargassum seaweed and marine plastics in a new study.
The scientists found that Vibrio bacteria (also called flesh-eating bacteria and found in waters around the world) can stick to microplastics, which presents a new threat to public health if the microplastics travel within the seaweed.
"We really want to make the public aware of these associated risks," said Tracy Mincer, Ph.D., corresponding lead author and an assistant professor of biology at FAU Harbor Branch and Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College. Read story.
In addition, NBC News featured the problematic seaweed washing up on Florida beaches and the work of Brian Lapointe, Ph.D., research professor at FAU Harbor Branch. Watch here.
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Crushed Clams, Roaming Rays
In the Indian River Lagoon, rays like to hang out near clam beds more than clammers previously suspected, according to new research from FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute scientists.
Researchers use passive acoustic telemetry to gauge the interactions between the whitespotted eagle rays and cownose rays in two clam production sites and four other sites in Sebastian. Since visual observations can be challenging and unpredictable, this technology enabled researchers to monitor the tagged rays in the wild over two years. Read story.
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Conch Conservation
Megan Davis, Ph.D., right, research professor at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, presented at the University of West Indies Discovery Bay Marine Lab in Jamaica to kick off the FAU Harbor Branch Queen Conch Lab’s community-based queen conch aquaculture and restoration project for Jamaica.
For the second year in a row, leaders in impact and sustainable investment gathered in The Bahamas to discuss resilience, conservation and investment using real-world examples. Known as the Forum for Impact, this year’s event was held in Grand Bahama from May 10 – 12, 2023. Davis and Amanda Nickeson, assistant vice president for institutional advancement at FAU Harbor Branch, were invited to share how queen conch restoration benefits the species, the ecosystem and the people who depend on the fishery.
“We were honored to share the platform with our partners and showcase our future Grand Bahama Queen Conch Mariculture Center – part of a larger vision to establish a queen conch farm in every Caribbean nation. This partnership shows how impact investment can make a difference for restoration of the species and for blue economy jobs."
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World Veterinary Day Presentation
Annie Page, DVM, Ph.D., recently presented at the Florida Marine Science Educators Association, an organization that brings together those interested in the study and enjoyment of the world of water, both fresh and salt, on World Veterinary Day.
"Sharing my work reminds me how much I love my profession," Page said. "I could not think of a more inspiring and fulfilling career."
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Winning Presentation
Clark Morgan, doctoral student, FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, won Best Student Oral Presentation at the 2023 Benthic Ecology Meeting in Miami, highlighting his work on the Atlantic goliath grouper and their fishery interactions.
Morgan, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, works in the Fisheries Ecology and Conservation Lab led by Matt Ajemian, Ph.D., associate research professor at FAU Harbor Branch. Read more.
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Scholarship Winners
Two FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Students, Clark Morgan and Natalia Jaworski, earned Guy Harvey Scholarship Awards from the Guy Harvey Foundation, for their work on the biology, ecology, habitat or management of sustainable marine fisheries in Florida’s marine environment.
Morgan and Jaworski are both students in the Fisheries Ecology and Conservation Lab led by Matt Ajemian, Ph.D., associate research professor at FAU Harbor Branch. Learn more.
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Explore the Lagoon
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute’s pontoon boat tours of the Indian River Lagoon are back.
Board the 36-passenger floating laboratory, named Discovery, to explore the Indian River Lagoon and learn about research conducted by FAU Harbor Branch faculty and students.
Activities include interpreting real-time water quality data from the Indian River Lagoon Observatory Network, surveying underwater habitats with a remotely operated vehicle, and identifying wildlife of all sizes, from microscopic plankton to sharks, rays, manatees and dolphins.
Excursions:
Fridays - 10:30 a.m. to noon
Saturdays - 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2:30 p.m.
The cost is $40 per person. Book a tour.
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Fin of the Month: Valy
Valy is frequently seen by the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute's Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team in the Indian River Lagoon. Valy is particularly recognizable due to a large, healed shark bite behind her dorsal fin. Many of the animals have shark bites that heal and create interesting markings that help aid in identifying them in the field.
If a member of the public sees dolphins while out on the water, remember to stay 50 yards away. To report a marine mammal in distress, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline, 888-404-3922.
Photo ID work is permitted under NOAA NMFS LOC #23069 and stranding response is conducted under a Stranding Agreement with NMFS and FAU Harbor Branch under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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Be a Dolphin Spotter
Taking photos of dolphins spotted in the wild can help scientific research. Standing on a Florida shore and see a dolphin in the water? Take a picture.
Then, submit that picture to the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute's Dolphin Spotter project, a land-based citizen science project, and become a certified citizen scientist. Learn more.
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Specialty Experience: Underwater Farming
Join the June Specialty Experience at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute to learn about the journey of sustainable seafood from the hatchery to the dinner table. Participants will get an insider’s view of the aquaculture research taking place at FAU Harbor Branch and will learn why continued growth of the industry is vital to maintaining the world’s food supply.
Limited space is available and reservations and payment are required in advance. For more information, or to make a reservation, call 772-242-2293 or visit the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center.
Upcoming dates and topics:
Thursday, June 8 - Underwater Farming
Thursday, July 13 - Trash Travels
For more information, click here.
Photo credit: Megan Davis, Ph.D.
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