FAU Harbor Branch News

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January 2023

Pilgrim, a North Atlantic right whale, and her calf. Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, taken under NOAA permit #20556-01

Pilgrim Makes Appearance

A critically endangered North Atlantic right whale and her new calf were recently spotted close to the South Florida shore for a few days, including just off the coast of John D. MacArthur State Park, Jupiter Beach Park and the Juno Beach Pier, according to Steve Burton, director of Stranding and Population Assessment at the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission asked Burton and his team to take photographs from shore to confirm the whale’s identity. Read more.

Big Wins for Ocean Science

FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute had several winners in the 2022 Art of Science contest, hosted by the University's Division of Research.

Winners include:

Sydney Bell, graduate student, second place
Haley Davis, graduate student, third place
Clark Morgan, graduate student, student in the field category
Megan Davis, Ph.D., research professor, tie for faculty in the lab category, pictured
Alexis Moyle, graduate student, video category
Derek Aoki, graduate student, honorable mention

All submissions are part of a month-long exhibit at the the FAU Dorothy F. Schmidt Performing Arts Center, PA-51, on the FAU Boca Raton campus.

You're invited to kickoff opening night of the exhibition from 4 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 8. Register here. To view winners, click here.

Coral Conservation

Alexis Sturm, Ph.D., recently earned a doctorate in integrative biology from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, and is a member of the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. She is now starting a one-year fellowship with the Coral Reef Conservation Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Read more.

Biting Into Research

Derek Aoki, graduate student in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science at the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, co-authored a new paper that used forensic analysis of shark bites on sea turtles in Florida and Alabama to infer the possible size and species of the predator.

In the News

Researchers from the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute were highlighted on Jan. 6 in Florida Today for their work to restore threatened seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon. Read more.

Benefactors Society

Continued Support

Raymond Chladny and Debbie Veltkamp are entering their second year as members of the FAU Harbor Branch Benefactors Society, an annual giving program that allows members of the community to support the Institute’s many research, education and outreach programs. When asked about why they chose to renew their membership, Chladny said:

“FAU Harbor Branch, through its continued research and sharing, is an incredible beacon of hope and joyful enlightenment protecting our Indian River Lagoon, oceans and humanity," Chladny said.

Veltkamp agreed. "It's the Treasure Coast's real treasure. We are very honored to be part of this wonderful family."

Members of the FAU Harbor Branch Benefactors Society support significant and timely research, impacting critical ocean issues.

Join the Benefactors Society

Dolphin of the Month: Fizz

Fizz has been a long-term resident in the Indian River Lagoon.

In November of 2015, Fizz was found

entangled in a crab trap line with a trailing buoy. A concerned citizen called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) hotline, and FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute's Stranding and Population Assessment team was able to respond and make sure the gear was removed.

Fizz continues to thrive and the survey team sees him regularly, said Steve Burton, director, Stranding and Population Assessment.

If you see a marine mammal in distress, call the FWC hotline 888-404-3922. If you see dolphins while out on the water, remember to stay 50 yards away.

Our Photo ID work is permitted under NOAA NMFS LOC #23069 and our stranding response is conducted under a Stranding Agreement with NMFS and FAU Harbor Branch under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.