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July 2020

Good Night? Satellite Data Uncovers Dolphins on the Move at Nighttime  Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and collaborators are the first to use satellite telemetry on this bottlenose dolphin population, providing unique insights into their behavioral ecology during the overnight hours. Results of the study, published in the journal Animal Biotelemetry, provide the first documentation of Indian River Lagoon dolphins regularly leaving the brackish waters of the estuarine system and, not only traveling into the ocean, but swimming substantial distances – up to 20 kilometers – up freshwater rivers, creeks, and canals. These journeys do not appear to be extended stays in freshwater, which can be detrimental to dolphin health, but instead involve many brief trips upriver... Read More

World's Most Comprehensive Health Analysis of Nesting Sea Turtles  Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and Loggerhead Marinelife Center researchers have conducted the most comprehensive health assessment for a green turtle rookery in the world to date. Findings from the study provide critical insights into various aspects of physiology, biology, and herpesvirus epidemiology of this nesting population along a 10-kilometer stretch on Juno Beach, Fla. Results, recently published in the journal Endangered Species Research, are hopeful for this population of green sea turtles in southeastern Florida and offer important data on the profile of health for future comparative investigations... Read More

Could These 'Salt-loving' Edible Sea Vegetables be the New Kale? Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute researchers are growing different types of sea asparagus. The goal of this research is to find the best ecosystem to grow plants, develop markets and to work with chefs to create recipes for customers consumption... Read More

Researcher Spotlights

Changing Seas “Florida’s Blue Holes: Oases of the Sea” FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Researcher Jordon Beckler, Ph.D., was recently featured in the the Changing Seas “Florida’s Blue Holes: Oases of the Sea” episode. Dr. Beckler, teamed up with an interdisciplinary group of experts to study blue holes with a benthic lander (a large package of instruments to collect measurements at the bottom of the blue hole) in the Gulf of Mexico. The episode aired on South Florida PBS on June 24, and will air on WXEL on Sunday, June 28.

Exploring for Coral Reef Biodiversity and Connectivity in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Take a virtual field trip to the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico with expedition lead Joshua Voss, Ph.D., from Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.

New Study Finds Corals Genetically Distinct at Varied Depths in Belize  A newly released study finds corals in Belize are genetically distinct at different depths. Ryan Eckert, a graduate student at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, led the study under the direction of Joshua Voss, Ph.D., an associate research professor and executive director of NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research and Technology (CIOERT).   Results, recently published in  Frontiers in Microbiology , reinforce that corals at different depths in Belize are distinct and are not one large, well-connected population.

New Method of Classifying Organisms   FAU's Harbor Branch Marine Biologist and Oceanographer, Jon A. Moore, Ph.D., was recently published in a new book titled “ Phylonyms: A Companion to the PhyloCode .” Phylonyms is an accompanying volume to the simultaneously released “ International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature (PhyloCode) " ... Read More 📸 Dr. Moore holds a freshly caught eel larva during a recent cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo Credit: Isabel Romero, Ph.D., USF, College of Marine Sciences

In the News

Green Energy Off of Blue Ocean Florida Atlantic University's Southeast National Marine Renewal Energy Center (SNMREC) and OceanBased Perpetual Energy recently teamed up to demonstrate that clean, renewable energy could be harnessed perpetually from the Gulf Stream off the coast of South Florida. The team is the first ever to draw energy from the Gulf Stream for a continuous 24 hours, a feat that garnered national attention, including an article in the Washington Post... Read More

Portfolio Magazine

Marine Mammal Rescue

National Report on Large Whale Entanglements NOAA Fisheries issued a National Report on Large Whale Entanglements Confirmed in the United States in 2018. Documenting the annual entanglements of large whales in the U.S. is important because the entanglement of large whales in fishing gear or marine debris is a serious animal welfare and conservation problem that NOAA is trying to address. FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Stranding and Population Assessment Team is proud to assist National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in this important work when called upon... Read 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.

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

Virtual Tours Join us as we take a behind the scenes look around FAU's Harbor Branch! This series will highlight our various research projects, state of the art facilities and equipment, as well as views from our historic 144-acre campus that is located along the Indian River Lagoon.

Discover the scientists and engineers behind the great work being conducted at FAU's Harbor Branch. During Behind the Science , a fun and informal web chat series, our researchers will tell you what inspired them to pursue a career in marine science, share stories about their adventures, and advice they would give to a future scientist! Watch Archived Web Chats:  Behind the Science – A Wednesday Web Chat featuring Derya Akkaynak Ph.D. Behind the Science – A Wednesday Web Chat featuring Joshua Voss Ph.D. Behind the Science – A Wednesday Web Chat featuring Aditya Nayak, Ph.D. Behind the Science – A Weekly Web Chat featuring Jim Sullivan, Ph.D.

Hear about our most recent discoveries from the scientists and engineers that made them through FAU's Harbor Branch   John and Barbara Ferrara Ocean Science Lecture Series . Our lecture archive goes back ten years and contains more than 100 presentations with topics ranging from sharks to renewable energy... Watch Previous Lectures

FAU's Harbor Branch Speakers Bureau 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 .

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.

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