Brian Lapointe, Ph.D., conducting fieldwork as he is immersed in Sargassum. | |
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$1.3 Million Grant to Clean Up Seaweed
What should be done with all the stinky seaweed? During the last decade, the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt as wreaked havoc on ecosystems and economies throughout the Caribbean. However, Sargassum can also be a critical habitat for marine species like sea turtles. Brian Lapointe, Ph.D., research professor at Florida Atlantic’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, was recently awarded a $1.3 million grant to study the environmental and ecological impacts of Sargassum inundations on Florida, including the viability of harvesting it without harming marine animals.
Read more.
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Top Honor for FAU Harbor Branch Researcher
Amy Wright, Ph.D., research professor at FAU Harbor Branch was recently honored with the Paul J. Scheuer Award in Marine Natural Products.
The biennial award is considered the foremost accolade in the field of marine natural products chemistry and recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in research and in training the next generation of scientists.
Learn more.
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Faculty Emeritus
John Reed was recently awarded the rank of Faculty Emeritus at FAU Harbor Branch. With a career spanning nearly 50 years, Reed is a pioneer of coral reef research and conservation. His research is not only scientifically important, but has also directly resulted in the protection of fragile coral habitats, specifically the Oculina Coral Marine Protected Area located off Florida's East Coast - the first in the world to protect deep water coral.
Reed is a project principal investigator and leads the research and conservation programs on deep water and mesophotic coral reefs for NOAA Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology.
Read more.
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Milk Conch Egg Development
Get a rare glimpse of milk conch development. This time-lapse video of milk conch, Macrostrombus costatus, egg development was taken during a 15-hour period. The eggs are very tiny, smaller than a grain of sand. The video was taken by Alyson Chin using a dissecting microscope. The egg mass was laid by milk conch broodstock that are at FAU Harbor Branch. The broodstock are part of a Builders Initiative grant project awarded to the Queen Conch Lab at FAU Harbor Branch and are cared for by research coordinator Amanda Matthews.
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Fin of the Month: Boomerang (BMRG)
Meet BMRG, also known as Boomerang, who was first identified by FAU Harbor Branch's Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment (MMSPA) team in January 2021. Boomerang is often seen between Sebastian and Vero Beach and has healed scars on its dorsal fin.
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Can you spot the similarities between these photos? The image on the right was submitted by one of the Dolphin Spotter citizen scientists. 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.
Registered Dolphin Spotters can now use a mobile app called WatchSpotter to submit images of dolphins and view over 350 sightings that have been submitted since January 2022.
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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April is Citizen Science Month. Becoming a citizen scientist with FAU Harbor Branch is easy. Capture photos of dolphins while you're standing on the shore, then visit our website to get started. 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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Science in Seconds - Saving Florida's Marine Mammals
Learn more about the FAU Harbor Branch Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment Team in a recent installment of the Science in Seconds video series.
Watch Now.
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Indian River Lagoon Experience
Each year, FAU Harbor Branch hosts a specialized undergraduate program called Semester by the Sea where students gain hands-on, immersive marine science research experience in and around the Indian River Lagoon. One elective, called the Indian River Lagoon Experience, is a condensed, week-long course where students work in pairs to complete a mini research project in the field. They recently shared their findings in a symposium-style research poster presentation. This year's projects included comparisons of zooplankton, seagrass, invertebrates and fish species diversity between two sites in the lagoon.
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Deep Sea Exploration
This month, an expedition team from FAU Harbor Branch traveled to Puerto Rico in search of deep-sea corals and sponges with the potential to fight dreaded diseases, like cancer. Included with the cargo was 100 cups decorated by members and staff at the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County. The cups were attached to a remotely operated vehicle and traveled 1,660 feet below the surface. The pressure of the deep ocean shrank the cups to less than half their original size. The cups will be returned to the clubs as one-of-a-kind souvenirs from a real scientific research mission.
By engaging with the Boys and Girls Clubs as part of this expedition, their members are introduced to the excitement of scientific discovery and the many possible career paths available to those interested in pursuing a career in science.
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New Photon ROV
After months of waiting, FAU Harbor Branch received its brand-new Photon remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from Deep Trekker. This state-of-the-art ROV is designed for high-tech research expeditions, but members of the public have the opportunity to see it in action as part of FAU Harbor Branch's boat tour experience. The ROV takes riders below the surface to see the marine flora and fauna up close via onboard screens. Recent sightings have included mangrove snapper, sheepshead, sea sponges and seagrass beds.
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FAU Science Fest
The annual Florida Atlantic Science Fest was held in April on the Boca Raton campus. The FAU Harbor Branch outreach team brought the humpback whale exhibit, giving students of all ages the opportunity to learn about these majestic creatures by stepping inside the life-sized inflatable tunnel.
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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, May 11 - Restoration and Aquariums
Aquaculture can be used for more than food culture. Learn about how FAU Harbor Branch and other organizations around the state are using aquaculture in innovative ways to save species and even provide stock for aquariums.
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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.
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May 1 - Aaron Adams, Ph.D.
Fishers Know More Than You
Lectures are also streamed live online or can be watched on demand.
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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.
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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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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
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Subscribe to Ocean Currents
Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Website
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