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Quarterly News & Updates, Volume 3, July 2023
Conservation, Education & Economic Development
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Greetings Members and Friends,
Florida Ocean Alliance will conduct a Board of Directors planning session in early August to establish priorities for our organization and chart our course for the next two years. The Alliance's Vice-President, Glenn Wiltshire, will lead this important session, and you will hear more about the outcomes of the discussions in the coming weeks.
By now, you have received the Save-the-Date notice for our November 9 Leadership Meeting on Coastal Resilience at Port Tampa Bay. More information about the event is provided below, and we encourage all Alliance members to make plans to attend. We also need your support through sponsorship of the event, as it is also a fundraiser for our organization. Your support will allow Florida Ocean Alliance to continue our important work of protecting coastal and ocean resources, advocating for coastal resilience initiatives, and supporting a sustainable blue economy.
Recently, I was honored to be elevated to the role of Chairman of the Board of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). While this is an outstanding opportunity, the responsibilities of this new role will make it difficult for me to continue to serve as President of Florida Ocean Alliance. Effective this month, I will step down as President, and Glenn Wiltshire will assume the role of President. I know that I will be leaving the responsibilities of this role in very capable hands. As President, Glenn will have a very important and strategic role to play leading the organization forward, and he is exceptionally well qualified, having served as Vice-President since 2022 and as a member of our board since 2019.
It has been an incredible experience and a privilege serving the Alliance over the past two years. I am deeply appreciative of the support you have given me as President, and it has been both an honor and a pleasure working with my fellow board members. The Alliance is a powerful network that brings value and opportunities to both the organization and its individual members. I look forward to continuing to serve as a member of the board and contributing to the growth and success of this great organization.
Sincerely,
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A. Paul Anderson
President
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Florida Ocean Alliance News | | |
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Join Alliance members and guests on
November 9, 2023, 3 PM - 6 PM,
at Port Tampa Bay, Terminal 2,
Tampa, Florida
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Save the Date November 9 for Coastal Resilience: Protecting Florida's Blue Economy Leadership Meeting, Hosted by Port Tampa Bay
Plan now to join the Florida Ocean Alliance Board of Directors and other leaders of marine and coastal organizations for important discussions on the effects of a changing climate on Florida’s oceans and coasts. Speakers from Florida ports, state agencies, academia, research institutions, and the private sector will share updates on the state’s blue economy, the specific challenges the marine environment and coastal communities are facing, and some new technologies and solutions that can improve coastal resilience.
The program will be followed by an onboard reception, silent auction, and 1-hour cruise of Port Tampa Bay.
For Sponsorship information,
contact MLord.foa@gmail.com
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The Alliance Partnered with the EDA to Produce the "Industries of the Future" Webinar on the Blue Economy
Florida Ocean Alliance was invited to partner with the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) on the "Industries of the Future: The Blue Economy: What It Means for Florida," webinar series. The Alliance recruited several experts from our membership to participate in the speaker panel, including Glenn Wiltshire of Port Everglades, Sherry Larkin of Florida Sea Grant and Katherine O’Fallon of Marine Research Hub.
Key take-aways of the webinar, include:
- Florida's Blue Economy holds immense potential as an industry of the future. Its diverse sectors, vast coastline, abundant marine resources, and commitment to sustainability position the state as a hub for innovation and economic growth.
- The Blue Economy and coastal resiliency are intrinsically linked concepts that are crucial for sustainable coastal development. By integrating these concepts, we can ensure the long-term viability of economic activities, protect marine ecosystems, and enhance the well-being and resilience of coastal communities.
- Addressing key challenges, investing in research and education, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders will be crucial in harnessing the full potential of the Blue Economy in Florida.
View the June webinar and speakers’ presentations, and learn more about or register for the next Industries of the Future series webinar at https://industriesofthefuture.live/
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Florida Ocean Alliance and
The Nature Conservancy Hosted the One Ocean Film Tour Screening in Celebration of World Oceans Day
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On June 8, World Oceans Day, Florida Ocean Alliance partnered with member The Nature Conservancy in Florida to host a screening of the One Ocean Film Tour in Ft. Lauderdale. Laura Geselbracht represented the Nature Conservancy and spoke on behalf of both organizations about our collective efforts to bring more attention to the value of Florida’s Blue Economy and to the protection and management of our marine and coastal resources.
Laura explained that "we are facing some of the biggest, most complex challenges in human history...the interconnected crises of rapid climate change and biodiversity loss. We have years, not decades to address these existential threats."
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Laura shared The Nature Conservancy's ambitious, 2030 global goals to counter these threats, including:
Climate: Remove or sequester 3 GT of CO2 emissions, the annual carbon equivalent of taking 650 million cars off the road, by using the power of Nature and the strength of policy and markets to store carbon, support renewable energy development, and reduce emissions.
Land and Oceans: Conserve an area of land twice the size of India, and conserve more than 10% of the world’s oceans or 4 billion hectares through new and better managed protected areas, supporting global sustainable fishing, and positive policy changes to affect how ocean space is governed across the globe.
Freshwater: Conserve enough river miles to wrap around the planet 25 times.
Partnerships: We are not doing this work alone, but with partners.
For the Oceans and Coasts of the Southeast US including Florida, The Nature Conservancy is focused on:
Estuaries: Seagrass restoration and assessing the blue carbon stocks.
Marine Assessments: Compilation of spatial data on marine species and ecosystems to characterize our natural systems.
Conservation of Important Fish/Sportfish Populations: More information can be found at www.nature.org/floridafisheries and www.nature.org/fishing.
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Above: Laura Geselbracht, The Nature Conservancy in Florida | |
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Save the Date !
Florida Oceans Day 2024
is February 6-7
Plan to join us at the Florida State Capitol for Florida Oceans Day on February 6-7, 2024. More information will follow in early Fall 2023.
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Update on Federal Blue Economy Projects Funding | | |
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Jeff Watters of Ocean Conservancy recently updated the Alliance's Board of Directors on the status of federal funding for ports infrastructure and coastal resilience projects around the country. Below are some highlights:
The Port Infrastructure Development Program year one funding has been awarded and year two funding applications have been submitted and are under review.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provides EPA with $3 billion to fund zero-emission port equipment and technology and to help ports develop climate action plans to reduce air pollutants at U.S. ports. A second request for information has been issued, and it may be some time before a request for proposals is issued.
NOAA Resilience funding from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has not been awarded yet. A request for letters of intent was issued and letters are due in mid-August for the largest pot of resilience/restoration funds ($575 million), which will be awarded all at once.
The Congressional appropriations process is going slowly, with some subcommittee activity. Expect to see continuing resolutions once the bills are written and made public.
Regarding other Congressional climate action, Jeff reported on some bipartisan climate legislation, especially in the Senate, which is focused on science issues and some niche topics, but with few prospects of actual passage.
Permitting reform remains the elephant in the room, but with no clear pathway, it’s very unclear what form any permitting reform package might take.
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Shutdown Four Florida Seaports?
by Michael Rubin, Executive Director, Florida Ports Council
Local, state, and federal elected leaders are joining the chorus of business leaders expressing concern over a newly proposed federal rule that will shut down nighttime vessel traffic along Florida’s Gulf Coast, and significantly reduce daytime vessel speeds.
We’ve shared how the proposed National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Rice’s Whale rules brought forward by a coalition of environmental groups pose a clear and present danger to Florida’s economy. This message has been chronicled by news organizations across the state and region, including the Tampa Bay Times, Bradenton Herald & Miami Herald, Panama City News Herald, WMNF, International Transport Journal, WMBB-TV, Tampa Bay Business Journal, Global Trade Magazine, WTVT-TV, News Service of Florida, The American Journal of Transportation, and more.
Now, the U.S. Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Committee Report includes an explanatory report on Right Whales and Rice’s Whales. Sponsored by Senators Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), the report highlights how the National Marine Fisheries Service did not engage with ports and other stakeholders that would be affected by the rule. Read more
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Michael Rubin, Executive Director, Florida Ports Council
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The Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program (FLRACEP), hosted at the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), will award over $2.8M in funding to researchers in the state to support a resilient Gulf environment and economy. The Centers of Excellence projects will focus on the impacts of restoration work along the Florida Gulf coast, with an end-user collaborator as an integral part of the project team to ensure the research’s applicability to future restoration efforts.
“Understanding the collective effects of completed environmental restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico is critical in designing new restoration efforts. This research will address important questions such as: Have these projects collectively ‘moved the needle’ toward sustainable habitat restoration? What restoration techniques have been most successful?” said Holly Greening, FLRACEP Program Management Team member and former Director of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.
To date, the FLRACEP has awarded over $10 million in research funding to ten institutions around the state for Centers of Excellence focused on increasing knowledge of fish, marine wildlife, and ecosystem health and function along the Florida Gulf coast to provide fundamental information to ensure Gulf health and resilience. Read more
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The National Strategy will describe the vision, goals, and high-level actions for a robust, equitable, secure, sustainable ocean economy enabled by healthy, resilient ocean ecosystems. It will build on current Federal, Tribal, Territorial, State, and regional sustainable ocean management practices and identify needs and opportunities to enhance these efforts with new and emerging science, technology, knowledge, and policy.
Through this request for information (RFI), the White House Ocean Policy Committee seeks public input on what the goals and outcomes of the National Strategy should be, and how the Federal Government can best advance sustainable management of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and ecosystems of the United States.
Responses are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 28, 2023. Submissions received after the deadline may not be taken into consideration. Comments must be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at regulations.gov. However, if you require accommodation or cannot otherwise submit your comments via regulations.gov, please contact the program contact person listed under "FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT". For additional details, please refer to the Federal Register Read more
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Murkowski Leads Bill to Invest in Blue Economy,
Spark Innovations in Coastal Communities
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Bipartisan, bicameral legislation would support coastal communities by fostering collaboration between different industries.
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act (Ocean ROI Act), legislation that would require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a federal strategy for investing in the nation’s ocean-based economy with “Ocean Innovation Clusters” (ocean clusters).
“Miami’s beautiful coasts and pristine waters provide Florida with billions in tourism and commerce every year, and I am committed to preserving them for generations to come,” said Rep. Salazar. “I am proud to introduce legislation to promote Miami’s development and improve our environment through the sustainable use of our oceans. The blue economy and the opportunities it provides are growing, and the United States must keep pace with investments made by the global community. There is no better place to invest the best we have in research and technology than right here in South Florida.” Read more
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FDEP's Resilient Florida Grants Program Is Accepting Applications
The Application Portal for the 2023 Resilient Florida Grant Program of the Department of Environmental Protection is open until Sept.1, 2023. Local governments and other eligible entities can now apply for planning or implementation grants to address flooding and sea level rise risk to critical assets.
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Communities that have yet to perform a vulnerability assessment pursuant to statutory requirements will be prioritized for planning grant funding. Local governments are eligible to apply for implementation project funding after conducting a vulnerability assessment, evaluation, report, or other similar document that demonstrates a risk of flooding or risks due to sea level rise to a critical asset or the project area. Beginning next year in 2024, a Vulnerability Assessment meeting the requirements of section 380.093, F.S., will be a requirement to receive funding.
The State is offering weekly virtual office hours on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. To sign up for office hours and explore other resources and information, visit their website or contact ResilientFloridaGrants@FloridaDEP.gov with any questions.
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Member News & Announcements | |
Florida Ocean Alliance Welcomes New Members
Katherine O'Fallon of Marine Research Hub and Susan Zellers of Ocean Exchange
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Katherine O’Fallon is Executive Director of the Marine Research Hub, based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In this capacity, Katherine combines her past experiences and enthusiasm for marine science research and education to help build Florida’s Blue Economy.
Previously, Katherine was the Marine Science Magnet Coordinator at New River Middle School, where she oversaw implementation of the curriculum, developed marketing strategies, and built community partnerships to create field experiences for students that expanded their marine science education. She played a pivotal role in elevating the school and marine science program to become a National Certified Magnet School in 2018, among other distinctions during her 11-year tenure at the school.
A native of Minnesota, Katherine earned a degree in marine biology from Long Island University in Southampton, NY where she focused on coral reef ecology, with summer research in Hawaii. She then began her career as a marine biologist and educator in Curacao and became a PADI Open Water Instructor, solidifying her love for marine science. She later relocated to Ft. Lauderdale and pursued a master’s degree in marine science and education at Nova Southeastern University.
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Katherine O'Fallon, Executive Director,
Marine Research Hub
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Susan Zellers, Program Manager,
Ocean Exchange
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Susan Zellers is Program Manager at Ocean Exchange, a 501c3 with the mission of accelerating the adoption of innovative solutions for healthy oceans and the sustainable blue economy. Susan resides in Sarasota, Florida.
An accomplished and dynamic leader, Susan has a background in association management, workforce development, economic development, advocacy, community coalition building, and event management. For two decades prior to joining Ocean Exchange, Susan led the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) as their Executive Director. In that role, she worked as a state lobbyist for recreational boating interests. She represented boaters and the trades on environmental priorities for a clean Chesapeake Bay, small business support, workforce training, and boating laws.
Prior to MTAM, Susan was Director of Economic Development for the City of Annapolis, where she served as a liaison with the business community while recruiting new businesses to Annapolis and Maryland. In December 2021, she was awarded the Chesapeake Bay Ambassador award by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, one of the highest and most prestigious awards the state confers upon citizens who are active leaders in supporting a better Chesapeake Bay.
Zellers is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
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Port Everglades Obtains Green Marine Certification | |
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Port Everglades received Green Marine’s environmental certification for the port’s extensive commitment to sustainability and resiliency. This is the ninth time the port has received the prestigious commendation from Green Marine, a leading environmental certification program for North America’s maritime industry. During its GreenTech conference in June, the non-profit unveiled which of the 184 self-reported organizations obtained a Green Marine certification. Out of the seven performance categories, Port Everglades received the top score of 5 in more than half of the measurements.
Green Marine focuses on major environmental issues such as air and water quality as managed by operators of ports, terminals, shipyards and ships. To obtain a Green Marine certification, participants must comply with several requirements, including the assessment of their environmental performance on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Participants must also submit to an external verification, agree to publish their individual results and commit to a process of continual improvement.
The port’s best standing was in environmental leadership, community impacts, greenhouse gas missions, and spill prevention and stormwater management. The port also received a score of 3 for its community relations, underwater noise and waste management efforts. Port Everglades has focused programs to protect wildlife such as manatees, birds and fish, as well as maintaining clean air and water through mangrove conservation and coral relocation during construction. To view the port’s results and learn more about the certification process, visit Green Marine.org
About Port Everglades
As one of Florida’s leading economic generators, Broward County’s Port Everglades is the gateway for international trade and cruise vacations. Consistently ranked among the top three busiest cruise homeports in the world, Port Everglades is also one of the nation’s leading container ports and South Florida’s main seaport for receiving energy products including gasoline, jet fuel and alternative fuels. The Port Everglades Department is a self-supporting Enterprise Fund of Broward County, Florida government with operating revenues of $151.7 million in Fiscal Year 2022 (October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022). It does not rely on local tax dollars for operations. The total value of economic activity related to Port Everglades exceeds $33 billion. More than 216,000 Florida jobs are impacted by the Port, including nearly 9,600 people who work for companies that provide direct services to Port Everglades. For more information on Port Everglades, visit PortEverglades.net or email PortEverglades@broward.org.
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Nesting Birds Flock to Audubon Florida Living Shoreline | | |
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Mangroves sprouting along the shoreline thanks to Audubon Florida's living shoreline, seen in the background.
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Island erosion in Hillsborough Bay has threatened important bird nesting habitat – already at a premium in the busy Tampa Bay region. In 2011, Audubon and partners began building a more resilient future for these islands by offsetting sea level rise as well as storm surges and waves. A living shoreline more than a mile in length and comprised of concrete wave attenuation devices — known as WADs — now intercepts incoming wave energy before it hits the shoreline, slowing or even stopping erosion altogether.
Living shorelines are composed of materials, like plants, sand, and rock, that work to stabilize coasts and marine systems. In addition to reducing the wobbliness of the canopy, the WADs create calm water between the island and the breakwater that provides foraging and nesting habitat. A line of young mangroves has established on the shoreline, gaining a foothold in an area previously washed out by ship wakes and storms. The mangroves, in turn, will further stabilize the shoreline. The structures themselves are also good for birds. Made with special concrete that encourages encrusting organisms to thrive, they now provide a stable resting area as well as a sumptuous buffet of barnacles, oysters, and other critters that are on the menu for birds and their fishy prey. The oysters are filter feeders that improve water quality by removing nutrients and light-blocking algae.
The 2023 nesting season has proved to be a good one. In addition to nesting Roseate Spoonbills, Audubon staff have recorded thousands of White Ibis chicks as well as a handful of American Oystercatchers. The famous movie quote also applies to living shorelines and birds: “If you build it, they will come.”
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The project team has made progress in evaluating and refining multiple lines of defense, including a wide range of nature-based solutions such as fortification of coastal barrier islands, establishment of living shorelines and restoration of wetlands and mangroves. | |
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Updates on the Miami-Dade County Back Bay Study
On June 26, more than 160 people joined Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County’s Office of Resilience and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for a virtual update on the Back Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Study.
To protect the region from storm surge, the Corps had presented a draft plan in 2021 that featured primarily grey infrastructure, including large sea walls and flood gates. Not reflective of local values, Mayor Levine Cava convinced the Corps of the wisdom in returning to the drawing board. USACE did just that in August 2022 when a letter of recommitment was signed allocating $8.2 million over five years to restart the feasibility study.
Over the past nine months, Miami-Dade County has been working with the USACE Norfolk District to develop a set of locally identified alternatives, which have been presented to the public in a series of meetings with County support from Moffat & Nichol.
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Building on extensive feedback and comments, the June meeting focused on progress the project team has made in evaluating and refining multiple lines of defense, including a wide range of nature-based solutions such as fortification of coastal barrier islands, establishment of living shorelines and restoration of wetlands and mangroves. In addition to their positive environmental impact, these diverse solutions further advance social equity and other comprehensive community benefits.
As the planning unfolds, stay tuned for a mission critical go/no-go decision in August. Visit the project website here.
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USF/FIO’s Keys Marine Laboratory to House Thousands of Corals to Mitigate Impact from Historic Ocean Heat Wave
As unprecedented heat waves and escalating water temperatures in South Florida create a massive coral bleaching event, the University of South Florida (USF) and Florida Institute of Oceanography’s (FIO) Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) are quickly stepping in to house thousands of coral in an attempt to save them.
Currently, KML is housing more than 1,500 coral specimens that were harvested in the past week from offshore nurseries and parent colonies and relocated to KML by partner organizations during the crisis.
Read more
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With 60 tanks ranging from 40 to 1,000 gallons, the lab has the capacity to house thousands more [corals] as the coral bleaching event is expected to continue. | |
It’s A Wrap! Celebrating A New Living Shoreline in Miami | |
City of Miami Beach personnel and commissioners with The Nature Conservancy and FPL representatives pictured left to right: Amy Knowles, Chief Resiliency Officer and Environmental & Sustainability Director; Commissioner Laura Dominguez; James Byrne, Director of Strategy and Policy, The Nature Conservancy in Florida; Commissioner Alex Fernandez; Commissioner David Richardson; Christopher Ferreira, FPL; City of Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber; Meredith Rollo, FPL; John Rebar, Parks and Rec. Director; City Manager Alina Hudak; David Martinez, Capital Improvement Projects Director | |
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In May 2023, the City of Miami Beach and The Nature Conservancy in Florida joined forces to celebrate the opening of a beautiful new greenspace and living shoreline along the City’s waterfront. The Brittany Bay Park Living Shoreline project is a collaborative effort and model for how cities can merge effective coastal protection with the community’s desire for outdoor recreation spaces. The project was made possible by the Miami Beach General Obligation Bond Program and partnership with The Nature Conservancy with $225,000 in generous support from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) through its charitable arm, the NextEra Energy Foundation. “Implementing nature-based solutions like living shorelines and collaborating closely with partners and communities is critical to strengthening climate resilience. Together, we can move forward on climate adaptation while also addressing the underlying drivers of climate change to support a resilient future,” noted James Byrne of The Nature Conservancy in Florida.
Miami Beach has approximately 55 miles of shoreline, of which about 91% falls on private property. Living shorelines in combination with seawalls not only protect the local community from sea level rise and the impacts of severe weather conditions, but also restore and enhance natural habitats for birds, fish, and other marine life, and provide important accessibility to nature for people. “Living shorelines help manage coastal flooding by combining nature-based protection such as mangroves and restored wetlands with effective manmade solutions like concrete seawalls,” explained Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. “This is one of the most eco-friendly tools we have for managing the threats associated with rising sea levels.”
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Ocean Exchange Announces 2023 Call for Solutions and Awards Program
Ocean Exchange is a global ecosystem whose mission is to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions for healthy oceans and a sustainable blue economy. We fulfill this mission through a rigorous, multi-level program that includes annual monetary awards, promoting registered Solutions Inspiring Action across multiple communication channels, and facilitating access to a global network of experts from around the world.
Ocean Exchange has an open CALL FOR SOLUTIONS for startups with innovative solutions for healthy oceans and the blue economy. Over the past 12 years, Ocean Exchange has aggregated solutions via a competitive process and awarded more than $2,000,000 USD in non-dilutive grants.
Solutions include energy transition, offshore and onshore wind energy, solar energy, renewables, technologies for decarbonization, plastic recycling and alternatives, fishery management and coastal and environmental protection. These are innovative, proactive, and globally scalable solutions that have working prototypes. 2023 applications are due on Thursday, August 17, 11:59 PM GMT at
https://www.oceanexchange.org/register/
The Ocean Exchange awards program will take place October 22-24 in Fort Lauderdale. 24 Finalists will compete to take home one of three global awards that each carries prize money of $100,000 USD. The awards program also includes two Collegiate Awards ($10,000 each) for earlier-stage start-ups.
We are actively seeking voting delegates from the local community to evaluate finalists over a 2-day period. We are looking for business leaders and owners, legal and finance experts, and academics in
STEM areas to work with like-minded local and international leaders from varied backgrounds all seeking solutions for our oceans. Meals and social receptions will provide ample time for networking
with other delegates and the finalists. To learn more about Ocean Exchange, or if you would like to participate as a voting delegate, contact Millicent Pitts Millicent.pitts@oceanexchange.org
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Applications are due Thursday, August 17, 11:59PM GMT at
https://www.oceanexchange.org/register/
To learn more about Ocean Exchange, or if you would like to participate as a voting delegate for the awards, contact Millicent Pitts, Millicent.pitts@oceanexchange.org
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Port Tampa Bay to Host Commissioning for USS Jack H. Lucas DDG 125 Naval Ship
Port Tampa Bay will serve as the host facility for the Naval Commissioning of the USS Jack H. Lucas DDG 125 warship in the Fall of 2023. In October, the public is invited to join the Nation’s military in the U.S. Navy's commissioning of the Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125), welcoming her to the fleet and the crew to duty. The commissioning of a naval vessel is a historic event, and Port Tampa Bay, The Navy League of Tampa as well as the Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125) Commissioning Committee will collaborate to host the momentous event. Read more
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Paul Anderson is Named Chairman of AAPA | | |
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The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has named Paul Anderson, President and CEO of Port Tampa Bay, Chairman of the 111-year-old association. AAPA is the trade association for 140 seaports in the western hemisphere, which sustain tens of millions of jobs and trillions in economic activity. “At a moment when seaports are becoming increasingly rooted in the consciousness of policymakers, businesses, and everyday consumers, I am pleased to congratulate Paul on his elevation to Chair of the AAPA. He is a proven leader in the port industry, who oversees one of the nation’s fastest-growing ports…” said Chris Connor, AAPA President and CEO.
"Our nation's seaports are playing a critical role in providing the goods and services that consumers depend on. It is an honor and privilege to be elected by my peers to serve as Chairman of the AAPA to advocate on behalf of my colleagues and ensure the infrastructure and policy needs of some of the country's largest economic drivers are met,” explained Paul Anderson, who is Past President of the Florida Ocean Alliance. Read more
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Jerry Sansom Featured in National Fisherman
Alliance board member (2000 - present) and Director Emeritus, Jerry Sansom, is recognized for contributions to commercial fishing in Florida.
National Fisherman, July 2023 - For nearly half a century, Sansom has been the voice for and a face of the individual commercial fishermen in Florida as the [former] longtime executive director of the Organized Fishermen of Florida. His 2022 award as a National Fisherman Highliner recognizes his lifelong work.
Growing up in the Pensacola area with its “big history of commercial fishing for generations,” Sansom says that heritage was the basis for his decades of advocacy. “Protect the resource so you always have it there, and guarantee access to the commercial side and consumers,” said Sansom. “These are public resources, and everyone should have access to it.”
Fishermen and colleagues say Sansom’s efforts are why their community has survived in Florida, despite net ban campaigns of the 1990s and continuing political and development pressures. Read more
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Jerry Sansom, Florida Ocean Alliance Director Emeritus and former Executive Director, Organized Fishermen of Florida | |
Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association
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by Jackie Larson, Executive Director, FSBPA
Inarguably, Florida’s 825 miles of beaches define our state’s unique brand and drive our tourism economy. They also provide an important service to our communities by buffering upland resources from the impacts of coastal erosion and flooding. The 2022 hurricane season reminded us of our collective responsibility in protecting Florida’s shoreline from erosion and demonstrated the role of healthy beaches for our safety and economic well-being. Dr. Wesley Brooks, Florida’s Chief Resilience Officer, recently described this vividly to a legislative committee, “Beaches and dunes are natural crumple zones for impacts, having them take the beating and having them dissipate the energy from waves is something very hard and costly to replicate otherwise.”
Since 1957, Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association (FSBPA) has championed effective strategies to combat coastal erosion and advised elected officials and the public about the economic, environmental, recreational, and storm protection benefits of healthy beaches and why it is important to protect them. Beach and dune restoration are recognized, cost-effective strategies to reduce the impacts of coastal erosion and sea level rise on communities, and the Florida Legislature first began supporting beach projects in the 1960’s. Fast forward to today, the Legislature appropriates $50M/year to cost share with local governments on repairs to eroded beaches, because beaches provide protection to upland properties from storm damages. The wider or more elevated a beach, the greater the protection.
Despite long-time support, only 60% of Florida’s critically eroded beaches are part of a recognized beach project. This is unfortunate given the benefits of healthy beaches, but it is also evident time and again where hurricane impacts are most severe on beaches that are not part of the beach management program.
Following the 2022 hurricanes, the Florida Legislature recognized the critical need to fully fund the traditional beach management program ($50M) and DEP’s hurricane recovery plan ($206M), and FSBPA applauds this extraordinary investment. Repairing Florida’s crumple-zones is crucial to preserving and protecting valuable resources and our quality of life before the next storm. From one beach admirer to another, be prepared for this hurricane season and stay safe.
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South Reach in Melbourne Beach, Florida. View of pre-project conditions in 1999. | |
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South Reach post-project conditions in 2010.
All photo credits: Brevard County
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South Reach conditions in 2023,post Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.
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In Memoriam
Dr. John Ogden
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It is with deep sorrow that the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) shares the news of the passing of beloved former director, John Ogden. May his legacy continue to inspire us all. Read more about the life and legacy of John Ogden here.
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John Ogden was a member of the board of directors of Florida Ocean Alliance and had a significant role in initiating the first Florida Oceans Day. Two Alliance board members and longtime friends and colleagues remember John here:
“John Ogden was a remarkable individual who was dedicated to the success of the Florida Institute of Oceanography and left an indelible impact on our organization. His tenure as the director of FIO was characterized by unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. John was a compassionate individual who nurtured and mentored countless colleagues, fostering an environment of support and growth. As we grieve the loss of an exceptional leader, we also celebrate the life and legacy of John Ogden. Let us remember him as the visionary who shaped our organization, the mentor who guided us, and the friend who impacted us.”
Monty Graham, Director, Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO),
Board Member, Florida Ocean Alliance
“It was indeed a very sad day when John passed away. He was certainly an icon for marine scientists in the nation and especially in Florida. I met him first when I attended the annual meeting of the AMLC (Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean Islands) at the FDU Marine Laboratory in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he was the Director. He was also the elected President of the AMLC at that time. The first thing that impressed me about him was his collaborative nature. We struck up a friendship that lasted over 30 years. During that time, we served collegially in NAML (National Association of Marine Laboratories), SAML (Southern Association of Marine Laboratories), Florida Ocean Alliance and of course, FIO. After he was appointed Director of FIO, one of his first proactive steps was to broaden the membership of the institution to include independent marine laboratories and universities. It was not an easy task, but he persevered and helped galvanize the marine science community to come together for the benefit of the marine environment. It was a privilege to get to know him both as my mentor and a good friend. I’ll certainly miss him very much as will the marine environment and its conservation. We certainly have lost a giant in marine science research and conservation.”
Kumar Mahadevan, President Emeritus, MOTE Marine Laboratory and Aquarium,
Founding Member and Board Member Emeritus, Florida Ocean Alliance
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More Marine News & Information | |
What’s Happening in the Ocean, and Why It Matters to You and Me | With unprecedented marine heat waves sweeping the globe, we need better solutions for ocean sustainability. | | |
An Electric Cruise Ship with Gigantic Solar Sails Is Set to Launch in 2030 - CNN | Hurtigruten Norway has unveiled a design for a battery-powered, zero-emission ship. | | |
Rising Ocean Temps Raise New Concerns for Coral Reefs | The current marine heat wave is raising new concerns about the potential impact on the fragile coral reefs beneath the ocean's surface. | | |
"100% Coral Mortality" Found in Coral Reef Restoration Site off Florida as Ocean Temperatures Soar | Almost every single coral in a coral reef nursery in the Florida Keys has died as NOAA raises its coral bleaching warning system to the highest level possible for the area. | | |
The Oceans are Unusually Hot and on Track to Get Hotter. That's Not Good. | Roughly 40% of the world's oceans are experiencing marine heat waves, the most since satellite tracking started in 1991. | | |
Seagrass Meadows Some 9,000 Miles Apart Show Strength of Nature-Based Solution to Climate Change | Seagrasses-flowering marine plants that form dense underwater meadows-boost coastal economies and can capture and store significant amounts of climate-harming carbon, known as "blue carbon." But they are also one of the most imperiled ecosystems on Earth, declining globally at 7% each year. | | | |
Florida Helping Keep Nation's Boat Economy Afloat | The Sunshine State makes up about 14% of the nation's $230 billion recreational boating economy. | | |
A Win for Manatees in Southwest Florida: Warm Mineral Springs Creek and Salt Creek Habitat Restoration Nearing Completion * The National Wildlife Federation Blog | Warm Mineral Springs Park also serves as important habitat for threatened manatees. Restoration projects are underway to improve the springs. | | |
Protecting Coastal Wetlands and Coral Reefs | Pew will build partnerships with countries to help them integrate coastal wetlands and coral reefs into their commitments and explore scaling this approach to substantially reduce the rate of coastal habitat loss. | | |
What Record Warm OceanTemperatures Could Mean for Hurricane Season | CNN | The Atlantic hurricane season is headed into uncharted territory with water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico warmer than they have ever been on record. | | |
Four Wins to Recognize this World Ocean Day | Amid a sea of environmental issues, these four victories spark hope for the ocean's future. | | |
NOAA Releases Comments on Proposed Aquaculture Zones, including off Sarasota County Shores | Opponents of Ocean Era project off south Sarasota County to rally Tuesday to ask EPA to pull permit because of proposed changes to fish cage and type... | | |
International Ocean Film Festival | Every year, IOFF produces an acclaimed festival of ocean-themed films from all over the world that are largely unavailable to the general public. Themes range from marine science and industry to sports and adventure. | | | |
Florida Seaports Accounted for 13.3 Percent of Florida's GDP Last Year | Florida's sixteen seaports contributed $117.6 billion to the state's GDP, accounting for 13.3% of the overall GDP in 2022. The ports received a record-breaking 112.5 million tons of cargo, supporting 900,000 jobs across the state. Florida's cruise industry also reported positive economic activity, with the state claiming the world's top three cruise homeports - the... | | |
Future of Deep-sea Mining Hangs in Balance as Opposition Grows | Ireland and Sweden join countries calling for moratorium on extraction of metals from seabed as UN-backed authority prepares for crucial talks. | | |
To Reduce Global Plastic Pollution, Governments Should Tackle Most Problematic Products First | The relentless flow of plastic into the global ocean-already a threat to marine life and ecosystems-is on track to rise further, in large part because experts project that plastic production worldwide will double over the next two decades-which in turn would fuel a tripling of the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean each year. | | |
Ten Ways to Unlock an Ocean of Opportunity | Read about 10 strategies to protect and restore more of the ocean and reduce the impacts of climate change, while exploring examples of these efforts around the world. | | |
How to Build a Zero-Waste Economy | Single-use plastics are the product of a "disposable mindset." A circular economy offers a more sustainable alternative. | | |
Hey teachers and ocean lovers, do you have curious friends or students who would love to learn more about marine biology, ocean conservation and deep sea exploration? Then come check out the award winning NOAA Ocean Today program. | | | |
Follow FOA on social media for more industry news and information. | |
Masthead photo credit: Miami-Dade County | | |
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Glenn Wiltshire
(President)
Port Everglades
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Richard Dodge, Ph.D.
(Treasurer)
Nova Southeastern University
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Jackie Larson
(Secretary)
Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association
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Paul Anderson
(Past President)
Port Tampa Bay
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Anne Birch
The Nature Conservancy
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Josh Carroll
Royal Caribbean Group
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Duane E. De Freese, Ph.D.
Indian River Lagoon Council
FOA Executive Committee
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Jeff Eble
Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute
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Monty Graham, Ph.D.
Florida Institute of Oceanography
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Kumar Mahadevan, Ph.D.
Founding Member
Florida Ocean Alliance,
FOA Director Emeritus
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James F. Murley, Esq.
Miami-Dade County,
Florida Ocean Alliance
Founding Member and
Executive Committee
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Sherry Larkin, Ph.D.
Florida Sea Grant College Program
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Denise McCafferty
Lloyd's Register
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David McDonald
McDonald, Miller & Coleman LLC
FOA Director Emeritus
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Alexis Meschelle
Organized Fishermen of Florida
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Ellen Prager, Ph.D.
Earth2Ocean, Inc.
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Phil Purcell
Marine Industries Association of South Florida
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Kellie Ralston
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
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Jerry Sansom
Florida Ocean Alliance
FOA Director Emeritus
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Jim Sullivan, Ph.D.
Florida Atlantic University- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
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Gretchen Winters
Florida Harbor Pilots Association
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Matthew Upton
Roffer's Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service
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Jeff Watters
The Ocean Conservancy
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Bradley Watson
The Everglades Foundation
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Julie Wraithmell
Audubon of Florida
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Lenore Alpert, Ph.D.
Executive Director
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Florida Ocean News is published by the Florida Ocean Alliance, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, private-public partnership of private industry, trade, academic and environmental organizations promoting awareness and understanding of the ocean’s importance to the economy and environment of Florida. | | | | |
