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Study Assesses Toxins in Indian River Lagoon
A new study from researchers at Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch set out to help uncover potential human health hazards associated with harmful algal blooms in the Indian River Lagoon.
What they found is that the known toxins from cyanobacterium Microcsystis (in the south) and Pyrodinium (in the north) were present in concentrations toxic to human health during active blooms. But between blooms, researchers still found cytotoxicity - from sources they couldn't identify.
Read more.
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Fin of the Month: Nubbins (NUBS)
Meet “NUBS,” also known as Nubbins, who was named by Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment (MMSPA) team for missing a large portion of its dorsal fin. These distinct nicks and notches can happen by natural causes like shark bites or during socialization or by human interactions, such as boat strikes and line entanglements. Nubbins’ distinct dorsal fin makes it easy to identify in the field during permitted boat-based surveys.
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Can you spot the similarities between these photos? The image on the right was submitted by David Herrington, one of the Dolphin Spotter citizen scientists, and the MMPSA team's photo-identification catalog image (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01) is on the left. Many sightings, like this one, were photographed near private residences. In total, 40% of all sightings submitted from Dolphin Spotters are from waterfront areas behind private residences.
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 contributing to marine mammal research and joining the more than 240 Dolphin Spotter citizen scientists? 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 No. 23069-01 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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Art of Science Winners
The results are in for Florida Atlantic Division of Research's 5th annual Art of Science Contest. Three students studying at Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch were recognized for their original images showcasing the inherent beauty in research, scholarship and creative activity.
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People's Choice: Trending Looks
Photography by Sarah Webb, doctoral candidate,
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and Harbor Oceanographic Institute
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Student in the Field: Tracking Shirleen
Photography by Derek Aoki, doctoral candidate,
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
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Honorable Mention: Dinner Time
Photography by Camila Rimoldi Ibanez, undergraduate student,
Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Photo taken as part of a project at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
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All of this year's winners are on display at the Schmidt Center Gallery on Florida Atlantic's Boca Raton campus.
Read more about the winning images.
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Frontiers in Science Recap
Participants in a panel discussion on Jan. 25 emphasized the need for funding to improve water quality while also recognizing the state Legislature's current efforts.
Panelists included two faculty from Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch, James Sullivan, Ph.D., executive director and Rachel Brewton, Ph.D., research scientist.
Read more.
Photo by Naomi von Bose
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Q&A with Megan Davis, Ph.D.
Bella Kubach from The Invading Sea recently conducted a Q&A with Megan Davis, Ph.D., research professor at Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch and director of the Queen Conch Lab, that covered efforts to restore the queen conch in its natural habitat and help Caribbean communities.
Read more.
Photo by Marilu Cristina Flores
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South Florida Fair
Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch debuted its newly completed life-sized humpback whale exhibit at the 2024 South Florida Fair. During the 17-day event, more than 11,000 visitors took part in the immersive experience, stepping inside the 45-foot inflatable tunnel to get a view of the inner anatomy of these majestic mammals.
Humpback whales spend the winter and spring months in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida's East Coast. This exhibit is designed to help spread awareness of the existence of these seasonal neighbors and share the importance of conservation efforts to help protect them.
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Boat Tours in Vero Beach Magazine
Follow Teresa Lee Rushworth, a writer from Vero Beach Magazine, as she describes her experience aboard Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch's Discovery boat tours.
"Harbor Branch’s Discovery tours offer local residents and visitors of a curious bent an opportunity to learn about our lagoon in a scientific yet relaxed atmosphere, sure to disembark armed with important ecological knowledge as well as answers to such questions as 'Why do anhingas and cormorants need to hold their wings out to dry?' and 'How do manatees sleep?'"
Read more.
Photo by Steven Martine
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Interested in booking a private tour? Call 772-242-2293. | |
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Marine Science and Engineering Summer Internships
The application period is now open for Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch's undergraduate summer internship program. The 10-week immersive internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in a research environment in areas that include:
- Aquaculture and Stock Enhancement
- Biomedical and Biotechnology
- Marine Ecosystem Health
- Ocean Dynamics and Modeling
- Ocean Engineering and Exploration
- Outreach and Informal Education
Applications are due March 1.
Learn more and apply.
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$50,000 Funding Opportunity - Request for Pre-Proposals
Florida Atlantic's Center for Environmental Studies has announced the seventh cycle for the Walter & Lalita Janke Foundation Innovations in Sustainability Science Research Fund 2024. The fund is requesting research project proposals that will enhance existing energy technologies and support the early development of promising new energy concepts.
Proposed projects should improve the efficiency, viability and reliability of renewable and non-renewable energy sources, through enhanced implementation, production, storage and/or distribution, and associated public perceptions, policies and marketing. Submissions are welcome from any discipline or combination of disciplines, including the sciences, engineering, the social sciences, business and arts/humanities.
Pre-proposals are due by midnight on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.
Learn more.
Contact Colin Polsky with any questions at cpolsky@fau.edu and copy ces@fau.edu.
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Exploring Florida Aquaculture
Learn where your seafood comes from and how to choose safe and healthy sustainable seafood during this new public lecture series from FAU Harbor Branch. From your favorite seafood dishes to restoring coastal ecosystems, find out how Florida aquaculture plays a key role in a sustainable future.
The series will be held the second Saturday of the month from February through May.
- Feb. 10: Florida seafood
- March 9: Finfish
- April 13: Shrimp, clams and oysters
- May 11: Restoration and aquariums
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2024 Ocean Science Lecture Series
The John & Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series provides a forum for the community to learn about FAU Harbor Branch’s most recent discoveries directly from the scientists and engineers who make them.
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Feb. 7 - Joshua Voss, Ph.D.
Coral Exploration, Conservation, and Restoration
Feb. 14 - Brian Lapointe, Ph.D. and
M. Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D.
Remembering Mark Littler and His Contributions to Marine Plants and Coral Reef Ecology
Feb. 21 - Annie Page, DVM, Ph.D.
Health and Disease in Bottlenose Dolphins Inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon
Feb. 28 - Esther Guzmán, Ph.D.
Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery at FAU Harbor Branch
March 6 - Megan Davis, Ph.D.
Celebrating the Queen Conch: A Journey of Restoration with Caribbean Communities
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The lecture series continues monthly in April and May. Lectures are also streamed live online or can be watched on demand. | |
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Frontiers in Science
How Can the Florida Wildlife Corridor Support Resilience?
Panel Lead: Colin Polsky, Ph.D., founding director, Florida Atlantic School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability
Thursday, Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, Florida Atlantic Boca Raton campus
Presented by FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.
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Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch's 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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Manatee Fest
Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Manatee Lagoon
West Palm Beach
2024 Gardenfest!
Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Riverside Park
Vero Beach
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Florida Oceans Day
Tuesday, Feb. 6
Florida State Capitol
Tallahassee
TurtleFest
Saturday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Loggerhead Park
Juno Beach
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The Emerson Center E-Series
Trash Travels: The Plastics Problem
Jim Masterson, Ph.D., assistant research professor, Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch
Susan Flak, recycling coordinator and marketing director, Indian River County
Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.
The Emerson Center in Vero Beach
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Florida Atlantic Research | |
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Science in Seconds Series
Watch "Helping Our Oceans Feed the World," featuring Paul Wills, Ph.D., research professor and associate director for research at Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch.
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Subscribe to Ocean Currents
Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Website
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