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FAU Launches New Environmental School
Florida Atlantic University’s six campuses are situated in a region at the nexus of rapid urbanization and accelerated environmental risk. Recognizing the critical intensification of issues like rising temperature, coastal erosion and habitat destruction in South Florida and beyond, FAU has launched its new School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability.
A partnership between the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, the school is comprised of a broad array of existing disciplines and units to amplify FAU’s research, teaching and community engagement, while creating a comprehensive environmental hub at the university.
Read more.
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Study Finds Nutrients are Fueling Sargassum Belt
What’s fueling the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt? A new study has confirmed that the nutrient content of Sargassum spp. tissue can be used to determine the enrichment sources of the giant mass of floating macroalgae that has inundated Caribbean coastline in recent years.
Read more.
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NOAA Sustainable Seafood
The Naguabo Queen Conch Hatchery in Puerto Rico, a collaboration between FAU Harbor Branch, Conservación ConCiencia, and Naguabo Fishing Association, was featured by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries’ Faces of Sustainable Seafood podcast. The Naguabo Queen Conch Hatchery exemplifies the importance of community-driven research to maintain sustainable fisheries that benefit both the native environment and the local economy.
Listen.
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Megan Davis, Ph.D., (middle) with co-principle investigator and executive director of Conservación ConCiencia, Raimundo Espinoza (right), and Carlos Velazquez, president of the Naguabo Fishing Association (left). | |
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Fin of the Month: Dracula (DCLA)
The October "Fin of the Month" is dedicated to Halloween. Meet DCLA, also known as Dracula, who was first identified by FAU Harbor Branch’s Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team in April 2022. Dracula is known to frequent the Sebastian and Wabasso area and has a large, distinct notch in its dorsal fin, making it easy to identify.
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The photo on the right was submitted by Rhonda Perez, a Dolphin Spotter citizen scientist, and successfully matched to Harbor Branch’s photo identification catalog (NOAA NMFS LOC #23069). The photo on the left was taken by the Marine Mammal team (NOAA NMFS LOC #23069).
See the similarities between these photos? The Marine Mammal team uses the unique markings on the dolphin’s dorsal fin to identify individual dolphins, much like fingerprints. The Dolphin Spotter’s sighting of Dracula was in Palm Bay, which is north of where the Marine Mammal team surveys. This data helps the team better understand home ranges of the dolphin population in Florida.
Remember to always stay 50 yards away from dolphins. If a marine mammal is spotted in distress, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission hotline 888-404-3922.
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Interested in participating in the Dolphin Spotter project? Register today.
All citizen scientist land-based photos have been submitted through the FAU Harbor Branch Dolphin Spotter project in accordance with the program’s guidelines and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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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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FAU Harbor Branch Ocean Science Art Contest
The annual FAU Harbor Branch Ocean Science Art Contest celebrates the amazing discoveries happening every day at the Institute. This year, the contest received 39 submissions from ocean enthusiasts of all ages. Each piece is inspired by actual research studies at FAU Harbor Branch.
Voting is now open for the People’s Choice award. The submissions are divided into categories based on age. Be sure to read the artists’ descriptions to learn more about the marine science behind the artwork.
Vote by Sunday, Nov. 5.
Questions? Call 772-242-2293.
Vote today.
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Campus Tours
FAU Harbor Branch welcomes visitors behind the scenes with a scientist to gain a better understanding of the significant research conducted by the Institute. During this 90-minute tram tour, guests explore the 144-acre waterfront campus, learn about Harbor Branch’s history, hear highlights of the cutting-edge research being conducted by marine scientists and engineers, and discover the impact that their work has on people’s everyday lives. The experience includes a photo opportunity in front of the iconic Johnson-Sea-Link deep-sea submersible and views of the Indian River Lagoon and native Florida wildlife.
Book a tour.
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Specialty Experience:
Life Under a Lens
Learn about the microscopic ocean world and the important role plankton play in healthy marine ecosystems and people’s daily lives. Participants will use scientific equipment to capture and identify some of the tiniest creatures living in the Indian River Lagoon.
Space is limited. Reservations and payment are required in advance.
Reserve.
December Specialty Experience: Trash Travels, Thursday, Dec. 14
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Boat Tours
Public boat tours with FAU Harbor Branch run year-round.
Tour Schedule:
Fridays: 10:30 a.m.
Saturdays: 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Tours are family-friendly and designed to educate and delight guests of all ages. Advance reservations are required.
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New Science in Seconds Series Spotlights FAU's Research
FAU launched a new short video series called Science in Seconds.
Each episode showcases the cutting-edge research, scholarship and creative activity happening across FAU's colleges - all in less than 60 seconds.
Check out a recent Science in Seconds video featuring FAU Harbor Branch scientists.
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Can Marine Life Help Treat Cancer?
Esther Guzmán, Ph.D.
Amy Wright, Ph.D.
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Art of Science Contest
People's Choice Award
Voting is now open for the 2023 Art of Science People's Choice category. Deadline to vote is Friday, Dec. 8.
Vote.
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The Nat and Dorothy Hyman Science Lecture Series
Managing Pollution of Urban Waters: Sources and Solutions
Sarah E. Hobbie, Ph.D., Regents Professor, College of Biological Sciences,
University of Minnesota
Thursday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m.
Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, FAU Boca Raton campus
Presented by FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science's School of Environmental, Coastal and Ocean Sustainability.
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Indian River Lagoon Science Festival
Highlighting Science on the Treasure Coast
Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Veteran's Memorial Park in Fort Pierce
Mission: Ocean Discovery
Learn about the amazing marine science research happening at FAU Harbor Branch. From the Indian River Lagoon, to the deep sea, Harbor Branch has been making exciting discoveries for more than 50 years. This exhibit will feature some of the outreach team's favorite props and hands-on activities, plus opportunities to meet researchers, and more.
Explore the Marine Mammal Ambulance
FAU Harbor Branch's Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help dolphins and whales in distress. Meet members of the team and climb aboard their rescue ambulance to learn more about how they are studying and protecting these amazing animals.
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The FAU Harbor Branch outreach team travels to events throughout Florida with hands-on marine science educational exhibits and activities. All events listed are free and open to the public. | |
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LagoonFest
Saturday, Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Florida Downtown West Palm Beach
Right Whale Festival
Saturday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fernandina Beach
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Manateefest
Saturday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Manatee Observation and Education Center in Fort Pierce
Science on Tap
Thursday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m.
Grandview Public Market
West Palm Beach
There’s a Storm A-Brewing: Heat and Marine Sponges. Presented by Andia Chaves Fonnegra, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology.
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Save the Dates for the Emerson Center E-Series
Three researchers from FAU Harbor Branch will be featured lecturers during the annual E-Series presented by the Emerson Center in Vero Beach, beginning in January 2024.
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