Photo credit: Karli Hollister | |
|
Severe Hurricanes and Coral Reef Sponges
A recently published study in the journal Molecular Ecology analyzed the effects of the back-to-back catastrophic hurricanes Maria and Irma on a species of coral reef sponge in the Virgin Islands. The sponge, Aplysina cauliformis, can reproduce sexually by producing larvae and asexually through fragmentation. To maintain a healthy population, both types of reproduction should be present. Results of the study, which was led by Andia Chaves Fonnegra, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, showed the resilience of some coral reef species in the face of extreme weather.
Read more.
| |
|
Guy Harvey Scholar
Sarah Webb, a doctoral candidate in the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, was recently announced as a recipient of the inaugural Guy Harvey Fellowship for Marine Science Research. Her research focuses on evaluating estuary conditions, such as salinity, and its impacts on fish movements and behaviors. She examines the potential resurgence of nursery habitat in the St. Lucie Estuary for the endangered smalltooth sawfish, a species historically found in the area. Webb’s dissertation utilizes extensive fish and water quality monitoring to provide essential insights into the effects of these stressors on various fish species, including estuarine-dependent sportfish, juvenile goliath grouper and juvenile smalltooth sawfish. Webb’s work is crucial for resource managers seeking to better understand the dynamics of this unique ecosystem.
Learn more.
| |
|
Postdoc Spotlight: Siddhesh Tirodkar
Siddhesh Tirodkar, a new postdoctoral fellow at FAU Harbor Branch, is developing an ocean circulation model that simulates currents in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Straits as a tool to help understand how harmful algal blooms develop and spread.
Read more.
| |
|
Fin of the Month: Toothless (TLES)
Meet “TLES”, also known as Toothless, who was first identified by FAU Harbor Branch's Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment (MMSPA) team in December 2021. Toothless was named because the notches in its dorsal fin resemble teeth. The MMSPA team has only sighted “TLES” near the Sebastian Inlet, so if you are near the water in Sebastian, keep your eye out!
| |
|
Can you spot the similarities between these photos? The image on the right was submitted by a Dolphin Spotter citizen scientist, and her land-based photo was successfully matched to the MMSPA team's photo-identification catalog (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01), pictured on the left. The MMSPA team uses the unique markings on dorsal fins to identify individual dolphins, much like how people are identified using fingerprints.
Dolphin Spotter sightings help the MMSPA team better understand home ranges of local dolphins living in the Indian River Lagoon. Dolphin Spotters have contributed more than 300 sightings. See them all on an interactive map.
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.
| |
|
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.
| | |
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. | |
|
Indian River Lagoon Dolphin Update
Steve Burton, director of FAU Harbor Branch's Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment Team, gives his quarterly update on Indian River Lagoon dolphins on the Bob Soos radio show. Tap the video above to listen to the full interview.
| |
|
Sigma Xi Conference
James M. Sullivan, Ph.D., executive director of FAU Harbor Branch, was a keynote speaker during the most recent IFoRE Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society conference. His talk, "Florida’s Ecological Crises and How They May Inform Our Future," and more details about this prestigious meeting of scientists and students are featured in Sigma Xi's Keyed in Blog.
Read more.
| |
|
FMSEA Conference 2024
Florida Marine Science Educators Association (FMSEA) will hold its annual conference in Juno Beach April 25 through 28 in Juno Beach.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore FAU Harbor Branch's new life-sized humpback whale exhibit and hear expertise from faculty and staff leading educational presentations.
Learn more.
Please note that the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center will be closed April 26 and 27, while the staff attends this conference.
| |
|
Exploring Florida Aquaculture
Second Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon
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 next workshop is Saturday, April 13 - "Shrimp, clams and oysters."
Join FAU Harbor Branch researchers and local business owners to learn about this amazing and nutritious seafood. From supporting the local economy, to cleaning up our waterways, there’s more to the story than you may think!
| |
|
2024 John & Barbara Ferrera 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.
Wednesdays at 4 p.m. at FAU Harbor Branch.
| |
|
April 3 - Colin Polsky, Ph.D.
FAU’s New Environment School, ECOS: Building Bridges to Advance Research and Teaching
May 1 - Aaron Adams, Ph.D.
Fishers Know More Than You
Lectures are also streamed live online or can be watched on demand.
| |
|
Tides and Tastings:
An Ocean Science Pairing Event
Monday, April 29
6 to 8 p.m.
Tickets: $80
Walking Tree Brewery in Vero Beach
Indulge in a culinary journey with five stations offering food and drink pairings curated by Salvador Deli and Walking Tree Brewery. The evening also features presentations by James Sullivan, Ph.D., executive director, and Tim Moore, Ph.D., research professor, and live music from Murphy Dogs. Proceeds support student success at FAU Harbor Branch.
| |
|
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. | |
|
Evenings at Whitney
Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Health Assessments: Insights into Marine Ecosystem Health
Annie Page, DVM, Ph.D.
Thursday, April 11, 6 to 7 p.m.
Whitney Laboratory Lohman Auditorium
St. Augustine
Virtual available
St. Lucie Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Oxbow Eco-Center, Port St. Lucie
| |  |
|
Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration
Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Riverview Park, Sebastian
Science on Tap
Preserving Ocean Life: The Vital Role of Marine Wildlife Medicine
Annie Page, DVM, Ph.D.
Thursday, June 20, 7 p.m.
Nobo Brewing Company
Boynton Beach
| |
|
Subscribe to Ocean Currents
Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Website
| | | | |
