Ocean Observation
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute scientists break new ground using the recently developed second generation of the AUTOHOLO to monitor harmful algal blooms, tackling limitations associated with current methods used to monitor these blooms.
The study, published in the journal Harmful Algae, highlights the AUTOHOLO, a novel autonomous, submersible, 3D holographic microscope and imaging system designed to study marine particles and plankton in their natural environment.
Read story.
Also, read more about the AUTOHOLO and other research from FAU Harbor Branch researchers inside the latest issue of ECO (environment, coastal and offshore) magazine, a special digital issue on ocean observation:
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Florida Estuary and Coastal Monitoring - Looking Ahead to 2030
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute recently hosted the Marine Technology Society's TechSurge, a three-day workshop focused on transformative solutions for integrated coastal monitoring systems in Florida's estuaries and nearshore coastal waters.
Outcomes from this event directly influence the Indian River Lagoon monitoring network planning and could feed the United Nation's Ocean Decade Implementation Plan (2021-2030).
The workshop included a keynote presentation by Mark Rains, Ph.D., chief science officer, State of Florida, as well as 40 other scheduled talks.
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'Dive in with Liz and Sylvia'
Megan Davis, Ph.D., research professor at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, will join Sylvia Earle, Ph.D, in a zoom-based show called "Dive in With Liz & Sylvia" on May 4 to chat about her work on the conservation of queen conch.
For four decades, Davis has lead the FAU Harbor Branch Queen Conch Lab, studying the queen conch life cycle and innovating ways to save the species. She is the world’s expert on queen conch aquaculture, or farming, and has designed, implemented, and operated community-based queen conch hatcheries throughout the Caribbean. She empowers communities grow their own conch for restoration and conservation. Her work enhances the blue economy by providing jobs for local staff and diversified incomes for fisherfolk. In addition, she proposes that restoration of this keystone herbivore into seagrass habitats will assist with carbon sequestration, aiding in important international climate change mitigation efforts. Davis and her team are involved in projects in Florida, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Jamaica and several other Caribbean nations, working to bring solutions to the escalating species decline.
“Dive in with Sylvia & Liz” is a casual, free-flowing, and educational conversation that encourages ocean enthusiasts of all ages to text or call in. After a short presentation, Sylvia and Liz will take questions from the attendees.
The show can be viewed on the Youtube channel Ocean Elders.
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The Cayman Crown
The work of Laurent Cherubin, Ph.D., research professor, FAU Harbor Branch, is featured in the latest PBS Nature documentary called "Treasure of the Caribbean."
"Our film follows the discovery of a vast coral reef in Belize and Guatemala, that marks an exciting new chapter in understanding corals and fish spawning aggregations, and the battle to save coral reefs and reef fishes, like the Nassau grouper, around the world," Cherubin said.
Watch here.
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Jackie Palau
Jackie Palau, a doctoral student, won two awards at the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Symposium for her work studying the effects of the microbial community on algal bloom dynamics.
Her awards include Outstanding Student Presentation and the IRL National Estuary Program's Promising Scientist.
"All of us are very proud of her achievements and groundbreaking work," said Amy Wright, Ph.D, research professor at FAU Harbor Branch, who is on Palau's dissertation committee.
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Margaret Rodrigue
Margaret Rodrigue, graduate student, won the People’s Choice Award – Best Student 3-Minute Oral Presentation, for her presentation on the larval fish recruitment within mangrove-dominated mosquito control impoundments.
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Haley Davis
Haley Davis, graduate student, earned the Outstanding Student Presentation Award – 3-Minute Oral Presentation, for her talk on the stress tolerance of corals providing support for altered freshwater reservoir management in Southeast Florida.
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Ariadna Rojas Corzo
Ariadna Rojas Corzo, doctoral student, is winner of the People's Choice Award – 10-Minute Oral Presentation for her presentation on the habitat preference of young eagle rays in the Indian River Lagoon.
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Undergraduates on the Ocean
Fifteen FAU undergraduate students spent a day conducting science at sea aboard the Florida Institute of Oceanography’s (FIO) research vessel, the R/V W.T. Hogarth.
The students are current participants in Semester By The Sea (SBTS) — a program designed to provide undergraduate students an opportunity to broaden their educational experience with a semester-long immersion in marine science.
“This was a nice surprise for the students, but also an exciting and novel research setting to place them into," said Jim Masterson, Ph.D., assistant research professor at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. "Even a short excursion like this provides new hands-on experiences and learning opportunities that students may not otherwise get. That’s what we have tried to offer through the Harbor Branch Semester by the Sea program for more than 20 years."
Read more.
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Fin of the Month: Blitz
Blitz (BLTZ) is an Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) from the Western North Atlantic Central Florida Coastal Stock, and is found offshore and not in the Indian River Lagoon.
BLTZ has been sighted in August of 2021 and 2022, both times approximately 10 miles out of Fort Pierce Inlet. The FAU Harbor Branch Stranding and Population Assessment team conducts monthly photo-identification surveys of cetaceans in the IRL and Atlantic Ocean.
If you see dolphins while out on the water, remember to stay 50 yards away. If you see a marine mammal in distress, please call the FWC 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
Next time you're 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 Dolphin-Spotter project, a land-based citizen science project, and become a certified citizen scientist.
Learn more.
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Cheering on the Owls!
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute hosted one of the 22 watch parties held throughout Florida, to cheer on the FAU Men’s Basketball team who reached the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA tournament.
More than 200 people including alumni, students and community supporters, gathering at the American Icon Brewery, Vero Beach, to cheer on the Owls.
Read more.
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Specialty Experience: Seashell Science
Join the May Specialty Experience at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute to learn about one of nature’s most unique pieces of architecture - the seashell. Participants will explore the extensive collection of marine shells, have the opportunity to identify their beach-combing finds, and discover a world of animals who build their house around them.
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 Date: Thursday, May 11
A different Specialty Experience is held on the second Thursday of each month. To see what's coming next, check out the online schedule here.
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Science Saturdays
Join FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center on the last Saturday of every month for a fun-filled, outdoor event. Bring the whole family and learn from our outreach team while participating in a variety of interactive activities.
Upcoming Date: April 29
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