FAU Harbor Branch News

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June 2023

Algae Toxin in Central and Southern Indian River Lagoon

Researchers from FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute have conducted the first widespread molecular study of a neurotoxin called domoic acid, which is produced by a type of algae found in the Indian River Lagoon called Pseudo-nitzchia. At high enough concentrations, domoic acid can cause sickness in marine mammals and birds. Results of the study showed Pseudo-nitszchia was present in 87% of the surface water samples taken from the central and southern Indian River Lagoon. Domoic acid was found in 47% of surface water samples.

As one of multiple toxic bloom-forming organisms within the Indian River Lagoon, understanding the distribution and population dynamics of Pseudo-nitzchia is critical to protecting biodiversity as well as human, animal and ecosystem health.

Rays and Prey

Researchers from FAU Harbor Branch, led by Matthew Ajemian, Ph.D., have collaborated with Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, on a study to examine the relationship between whitespotted eagle rays and their prey. Central to the study are specialized suction cup mounted “helmet” tags that collect the eagle rays’ acoustic and movement data. The data help researchers better understand how and what whitespotted eagle rays consume and how that affects the overall health of the ecosystem.

Dolphin Spotting Stations

FAU Harbor Branch invites waterfront property owners to participate in the land-based Dolphin Spotter citizen science project by hosting a spotting station. As dolphins swim past the camera, it takes a motion-detected image of their dorsal fins when they break the surface. This allows for 24/7 monitoring of dolphins throughout the lagoon.

Be a Dolphin Spotter

Anyone can be a Dolphin Spotter. Taking photos of dolphins sighted from the shore can help scientific research.

Submit photos to the FAU Harbor Branch's Dolphin Spotter project, a land-based citizen science project, and become a certified citizen scientist.

Learn more.

Explore the Lagoon Aboard 'Discovery'

FAU Harbor Branch resumed pontoon boat tours of the Indian River Lagoon on Friday, May 26.

Excursions run every Friday and Saturday aboard the 36-passenger floating laboratory named "Discovery." While on board, explore the Indian River Lagoon, participate in hands-on marine science activities, identify wildlife, and learn about research conducted by FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute faculty and students.

Tours are booking quickly.

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.

See the boat tours on WPTV.

Fin of the Month: Taly

Taly was first sighted by the FAU Harbor Branch's Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team in September 2021. Taly was named for the scars that look like tally, or hash, marks on the dorsal fin. Taly has been seen 10 times, mostly in the southern Indian River Lagoon.

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.

Dolphin Update

Steve Burton, director of Stranding and Population Assessment at FAU Harbor Branch, recently spoke with Bob Soos on Ocean 97.1 about some of his team's recent dolphin rescues and gave an update on the dolphin population assessment in the Indian River Lagoon.

Listen here:

Benefactors Society

Events

Inaugural Film Festival a Success

In celebration of National Oceans Month, FAU Harbor Branch hosted the first stop of the International Ocean Film Festival’s Florida tour on June 2. FAU Harbor Branch welcomed 150 guests for a reception; screening of six independent, award-winning ocean films; and a panel discussion featuring researchers Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D., Amy Wright, Ph.D., Susan Laramore, Ph.D., and Steve Burton, as well as Alexa Elliott, producer of the film “Changing Seas”.

This is the first year that FAU Harbor Branch was invited to participate in the film festival's Florida tour. Blue Scholars Initiative, Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Guy Harvey Foundation and Florida Oceanographic Society were other stops on the tour.

Officials at FAU Harbor Branch thank Ana Blanco, executive director of the International Ocean Film Festival, and the generous event sponsors for the opportunity to host the festival's Florida tour and look forward to hosting the event next year.

Proceeds from the event support FAU Harbor Branch.

View the Photo Album.

See the Issue

Check out more coverage of the film festival and the boat tours in a recent issue of St. Lucie Voice. (The articles are on page 40.)

Weather Spotters

FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute hosted one of the stops on WPTV’s First Alert Weather Hurricane Preparedness Tour. Meteorologists Steve Weagle and Kate Wentzel led an interactive program about how to recognize severe weather and what to do when it threatens.

The Weather Spotter program helps the meteorologists at WPTV gain real-time information about current weather conditions through participants’ photo submissions and calls. FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science was the premier sponsor of the Hurricane Preparedness Tour. The tour presentations featured information about the cutting-edge weather-monitoring tools being developed through FAU I-SENSE.

Watch WPTV's live interviews with members of the FAU Harbor Branch team.

Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D.

Gabby Barbarite-McHenry, Ph.D.

Coming Up

Specialty Experience: Trash Travels

Join the July Specialty Experience at FAU Harbor Branch on Thursday, July 13, at 1 p.m. Learn about how today’s discarded debris becomes tomorrow’s conservation calamity. Participants will look for synthetic materials, such as microplastics, in water samples and explore how small changes in a person's daily activities can keep the sea free of debris.

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 book online.

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