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Quarterly News & Updates, Volume 1, January 2024
Conservation, Education & Economic Development
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Greetings Members and Friends, | Happy New Year to all! As we look forward to a productive new year, I am delighted to announce the officers recently elected by the Board for the 2024-2025 term. In addition to myself as President, Spencer Crowley of Akerman is Vice President; Jeff Eble of Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute is Treasurer; and Jackie Larson of Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association is serving a second term as Secretary. We all extend a hearty THANK YOU to our former President Paul Anderson, who remains on the Board, and to our long-time Treasurer Dr. Dick Dodge as he transitions to Director Emeritus Board member status. I personally look forward to collaborating with our new leadership team and other board members and aligning their diverse skills with opportunities the Alliance has to make an impact and continue to grow. | |
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On February 6 and 7, we will once again host the annual Florida Oceans Day at the State Capitol in partnership with our members Florida Institute of Oceanography and MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. It will be a busy two days in Tallahassee, including our Annual Board of Directors Luncheon on the 7th. I hope that all of our members will be able to participate and help us raise awareness among legislators of the importance of protecting our ocean and coastal resources to ensure that our blue economy is sustainable.
As many of you are aware, the Florida Ocean Alliance held its second annual leadership meeting and fundraiser at Port Tampa Bay in November. The focus was on Coastal Resilience, a critical issue for all Floridians around the state. Thank you to all who attended and/or financially supported the event to help make it a success. Our third annual leadership meeting will be held in Fall 2024, and this fundraising event will be critical to help us continue our mission. Please plan ahead to support the event and the Florida Ocean Alliance this year. More information will follow in the spring.
This year, we will also focus on expanding the Alliance’s membership base. With broader support and greater numbers, we can increase our outreach efforts to educate legislators and existing and new audiences on the importance of protecting Florida’s ocean and coastal resources and supporting the blue economy. You can help us reach potential new members by sharing this newsletter with friends and colleagues who have an interest in Florida’s marine and coastal future.
Together, we are a powerful network that brings value and opportunities to both the organization and its individual members. Thank you for your continuing involvement and support for the Florida Ocean Alliance, and I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
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Glenn A. Wiltshire
President
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Florida Ocean Alliance News | |
Florida Ocean Alliance Elects Officers f0r 2024-2025 Term | |
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The Alliance’s Board of Directors has elected the following members to serve two-year terms.
Read more
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Glenn Wiltshire, President
Glenn is Deputy Port Director of Broward County
Port Everglades Department and served as
interim President since August 2023.
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Spencer Crowley, Vice President
Spencer is the Land Use and Development
Co-Chair at Akerman LLP.
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Jackie Larson, Secretary
Jackie is the Executive Director of Florida Shore
and Beach Preservation Association and is serving
a second term as Secretary.
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Jeff Eble, Treasurer
Jeff is a Research Scientist and Florida Program Director at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute.
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Florida Oceans Day Is Feb. 6-7 at the Florida State Capitol | |
Florida Ocean Alliance, together with partners Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and Florida Institute of Oceanography, will host the annual Florida Oceans Day at the Florida Capitol on February 6-7, 2024. The focus will be Florida's Blue Economy - Building a Sustainable Future, which will bring attention to the importance of the blue economy to Florida's future and to the need to protect ocean and coastal resources, the foundations of the blue economy. More information will follow soon. For updates visit: https://www.floridaoceanalliance.org/oceans-day-2024 | | |
Coastal Resilience Leadership Meeting Recap | |
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Florida Ocean Alliance hosted its second annual Leadership Meeting on November 9 at Port Tampa Bay. The program, "Coastal Resilience – Protecting Florida’s Blue Economy and Future,” focused on the coastal impacts of climate change on Florida’s natural and built infrastructure and the blue economy as well as innovative technologies and solutions being implemented around the state to strengthen coastal resilience.
The speakers included:
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- Dr. Mark Rains, Chief Science Officer, Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection
- Jim Murley, Chief Resilience Officer, Miami-Dade County
- Dr. Charles Colgan, Director of Research, Center for the Blue Economy
- Dr. Thomas Frazer, Dean and Professor, USF College of Marine Science and Executive Director, Florida Flood Hub
- Rebecca Prado, Florida Coastal Resiliency Leader and Nabil Bawany, Florida Flood Resiliency Lead of WSP USA
- Fredrik Wannius, Co-founder, Print1 3D Printed Coastal Protection
Following the program, which was attended by more than 130 members and guests, an onboard reception, silent auction, and yacht cruise on Port Tampa Bay provided an opportunity to network and see first-hand the dynamic ports and marine industry sectors of Florida’s Blue Economy. The event was also successful in raising funds to help support the Alliance's programs. The Alliance thanks the many members and other supporters who sponsored or attended the event or contributed to the silent auction.
The program was covered by several media including WUSF. Read the article or listen here: Protecting Economy of Florida Coastlines Threatened by Climate Change | WUSF
View the speakers' presentations, our sponsors, and the event photo gallery.
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Florida Ocean Alliance Annual Meeting Highlights | |
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The Florida Ocean Alliance Board of Directors met virtually for the Annual Meeting in November. The purpose of this annual meeting is to discuss priorities and set direction for the Alliance’s future actions and initiatives. The November meeting discussions included:
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Board approval of the elected officers for the 2024-2025 term.
- An updated operating budget for 2024, including a third annual Leadership Meeting/Fundraiser.
- Florida Oceans Day, February 6-7, 2024, to include a meeting of the Alliance Board as well as events hosted by FIO and Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
- 2024-2025 Legislative activities.
- Florida Ocean Alliance's pending trademark, “Florida’s Blue Economy - Building a Sustainable Future.”
- 2024 Membership Recruitment Campaign.
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Member News & Announcements | |
The Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program Allocated $2.5 million Over 5 Years to Establish a Seagrass Nursery Network Throughout the Indian River Lagoon | |
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Above: Florida Oceanographic Society seagrass nursery.
Below: Florida Oceanographic Society seagrass out-planting site.
Photos: L. Simpson
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The Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP) has allocated $2.5 million over five years to establish a seagrass nursery network throughout the Indian River Lagoon that will build infrastructure capacity to support seagrass research and restoration. This long-term financial commitment responds to a catastrophic loss of seagrasses between 2011-2021 due to harmful algal blooms. Over 47,000 acres were lost lagoon-wide (equivalent to over 35,000 football fields). Five organizations were identified to build or expand seagrass nursery sites through a competitive request for qualifications. They include Florida Oceanographic Society (FOS) in Stuart; Florida Atlantic University – Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce; Brevard Zoo and Sea and Shoreline LLC, both nursery sites are located along Brevard County’s southern barrier island on properties leased from Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute; and the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach. The appropriation is part of $4,549,000 that the IRLNEP will receive over five years (FY 2022-2027) through the US EPA. The source of funding was the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (aka Bipartisan Infrastructure Law).
“Improving water quality is the key to seagrass recovery. We are not going to plant our way to success, but this initiative may help accelerate the timeline for seagrass recovery in the IRL and will provide nursery infrastructure to support seagrass research."
Dr. Duane De Freese, IRLNEP Executive Director, FOS Board Member, and Alliance Board Member
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Florida Sea Grant and Partners Prepare Panhandle Communities for Flood Risks | |
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Does your community experience flooding? Coastal communities face the compound threat of storm surges, extreme rainfall, and rising sea levels. Florida Sea Grant and partners can help.
Innovative technology meets coastal resilience in a recent partnership between Florida Sea Grant, Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA). Florida Sea Grant specialists are working with local municipalities, estuary programs, and communities in the placement of water level sensors in seven counties across the Florida Panhandle. The water level sensors will be installed by FAU, with funding support from SECOORA.
Read the article here
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Above: Water level sensor in Poquito Bayou, Okaloosa County. Photo: Laura Tiu | |
Immerse Yourself in Groundbreaking Research and Education at Sea with the R/V Weatherbird II
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Above: Built in 1982, and proudly under FIO's command since 2009, the R/V Weatherbird II gained national acclaim during the Deep-Water Horizon oil spill in 2010.
For more information about the R/V Weatherbird II, including full specifications, daily rates, and available scientific equipment, please visit: https://www.fio.usf.edu/research-vessels/r-v-weatherbird-ii/
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Owned by the University of South Florida (USF) and skillfully operated by the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), the research vessel R/V Weatherbird II has been at the forefront of maritime research and education excellence since 2009.
As the flagship of the FIO fleet, Weatherbird II boasts a formidable 115-foot, 194-ton platform. With berthing for a crew of seven and a science party of 13, its spacious design accommodates research and educational cruises with ease. Equipped with 780 square feet of working deck space and 200 square feet of wet laboratory space, the versatile vessel is capable of voyaging throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and parts of the Atlantic. The Weatherbird II excels in mooring deployment and recovery, bottom mapping, sub-bottom profiling, and water column sampling. Its size, layout, and endurance make it a vessel of choice.
The Weatherbird II sails into the realm of possibilities, and its primary mission is to offer a seagoing platform for scientific expeditions, collaborating with science groups from FIO’s 32-member statewide consortium and extending its reach to contract users at highly competitive day rates (including crew, provisions, and fuel).
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Green Macroalga Has Replaced Seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon
By Gisele Galoustian, 12/5/2023
The Indian River Lagoon was considered one of the last “unpolluted coastal lagoons” in Florida in the 1970s. Fast forward to today and most of the 156-mile lagoon is now considered impaired because of external sources of nutrients including human waste, fertilizers, stormwater runoff, agriculture, rainfall and sub-marine groundwater discharge.
As a result, the lagoon – especially the Northern Indian River Lagoon and Banana River – has experienced various harmful algal blooms, catastrophic seagrass losses, and is the epicenter of Florida manatee starvation and deaths. Seagrasses are keystone species within estuaries and provide many important ecosystem services, including the facilitation of nutrient cycling, essential habitat, sediment stabilization and carbon sequestration. Read More
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Above: Rachel Brewton, Ph.D., first author and a research scientist at FAU Harbor Branch, holding the green macroalga Caulerpa prolifera
Photo: Kevin Tyre
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Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute: Six Decades
of Marine Conservation and Innovation
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Since its establishment in 1963, the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) has been at the forefront of marine conservation, dedicating six decades to preserving marine life. With a notable emphasis on Florida’s marine wildlife, HSWRI has made an enduring commitment to the ocean and its inhabitants. | | |
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In Florida, HSWRI plays a crucial role, operating an advanced marine mammal ecology and animal health lab in Melbourne Beach. For more than 20 years, HSWRI scientists have researched and provided first-response assistance to dolphins and whales while operating the most active stranding network in Florida.
Over the years, HSWRI has also been instrumental in many groundbreaking initiatives. In the 1990s, the Institute catalyzed the sustainable seafood movement with the inauguration of the Leon Raymond Hubbard, Jr. Marine Fish Hatchery. Efforts in the 2000s included the rescue of Winter, the Florida bottlenose dolphin whose story captured hearts worldwide through the film "Dolphin Tale". More recently, Institute scientists have been pioneering the use of drones for
wildlife research, including surveying penguin populations in Antarctica and remotely assessing dolphin health in Florida.
As HSWRI looks to the future, the Institute is actively channeling its resources and expertise towards the vital task of ecosystem restoration. In Florida, HSWRI is taking significant steps, in cooperation with key partners, to accelerate the restoration of seagrass beds that provide essential foraging habitat for dolphins, manatees, and many other species. Restoring these habitats represents a profound commitment to the health of our oceans and the rich
biodiversity they support.
HSWRI’s more than 60 years of research and conservation work is a beacon for future generations, shaping our understanding and sustainable management of marine ecosystems on which we all depend. For more information, visit Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute.
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It’s an Electrifying Driving Force, Port Everglades
Terminal Tests Orange EV Yard Trucks
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Port Everglades container terminal operator Port Everglades Terminal LLC (PET) has teamed up with Orange EV to improve operational efficiencies while reducing emissions. As part of a trial run that began in December 2023, PET added four electric yard trucks to its fleet. The HUSK-e® vehicles are used to move trailers and cargo containers within the port.
PET’s climate-friendly initiative aligns with the port’s sustainability efforts to make investments in technology and infrastructure that address climate change. Port initiatives include replacing bulkheads, developing plans to provide shore power to visiting cruise ships, and the purchase of five electric vehicles and accompanying charging stations for port use.
In addition to eliminating diesel exhaust and emissions, Orange EV reports that the Class 8 trucks are designed to handle the most demanding needs of port operations, making their product an ideal choice for Port Everglades, which handles more than 1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually and has a reliable intermodal operation with a near-dock rail system and immediate access to the interstate.
“As an industry pioneer, Orange EV initiated the electric terminal truck revolution in 2015, setting new standards for performance, reliability, and sustainability in heavy-duty trucks,” said Kurt Neutgens, President and Chief Technology Officer of Orange EV. “We’re glad to partner with PET to help power their terminal operations without sacrificing uptime, range and pulling power.” The HUSK-e® is Orange EV’s new port/rail truck and complements the e-TRIEVER® that is used in warehouse and distribution. Orange EV was the nation’s first manufacturer to offer 100 percent electric Class 8 vehicles to be commercially deployed and scaled to more than 200 fleets across 35 states, Canada and the Caribbean and logged more than 11 million miles and 4 million hours of operation since 2015.
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Above: Port Everglades Terminal LLC (PET) and Orange EV left to right: Rick Blackmore, CEO, Port Everglades Terminal LLC; Jorge P. Rovirosa, President, Farovi Shipping Corp. – Florida Stevedoring Inc.; William A. Hamlin, Executive Director of Sales for Port and Rail of Orange EV; Kurt Neutgens, President and Chief Technology Officer of Orange EV; and Glenn Wiltshire, Deputy Port Director, Port Everglades and President, Florida Ocean Alliance
Below: Keith Gadson of Port Everglades Terminal LLC drives a HUSK-e® vehicle, which is used to move trailers and cargo containers within Port Everglades.
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Learn More and Read the Report
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New Study Reveals Economic Impact of Biscayne Bay as a $64 Billion Economic Powerhouse
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, October 16, 2023 – In collaboration with the South Florida Water Management District, Miami-Dade County announced groundbreaking findings from the 2023 Biscayne Bay Economic Study revealing the combined economic impact of Biscayne Bay-related activities at an astonishing $64 billion in economic output. The 2023 study is an update from the original 2005 study, which had estimated Biscayne Bay’s economic output at $12.8 billion dollars. The impressive, updated figure represents $24 billion in income, supporting 448,000 jobs and contributing $4 billion in tax revenue, proving that the watershed directly influences the county's economy, making it an essential driver of prosperity, reaffirming that Biscayne Bay is intrinsically linked to Miami-Dade County's prosperity, accounting for 19% of Miami-Dade County's economy, 9% of the Southeast Florida region, and 3% of the State of Florida's economy. Read More
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FAU Harbor Branch Announces 2024 John & Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series | |
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Registration is open for the 2024 John & Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series. Lectures are held on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. in the FAU Harbor Branch Johnson Marine Education Center Auditorium and will also be live-streamed and recorded. Lite bites and speaker meet-and-greet will follow each presentation. Lectures are free and open to the public; however, an advanced one-time registration is required and will serve as a pass for the entire 2024 season.
2024 Season Schedule
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January 10: The Quest for a Marine Sponge Cell Line: A Retrospective of Sponge Biotechnology at FAU Harbor Branch - Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D.
- January 17: Clam Culture in a Changing Environment - Susan Laramore, Ph.D.
- January 24: Stealing Sharks and Ravaging Rays? A Scientific Delve into their Impacts on Florida Fisheries - Matt Ajemian, Ph.D.
- January 31: A Bath Sponges Fable: Sponge Painting and the Lobster Season - Andia Chaves Fonnegra, Ph.D.
- February 7: Coral Exploration, Conservation, and Restoration - Joshua Voss, Ph.D.
- February 14: Remembering Mark Littler and His Contributions to Marine Plants and Coral Reef Ecology - Brian Lapointe, Ph.D. and M. Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D.
- February 21: Health and Disease in Bottlenose Dolphins Inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon - Annie Page, DMV, Ph.D.
- February 28: Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery at FAU Harbor Branch - Esther Guzmán, Ph.D.
- March 6: Celebrating the Queen Conch: A Journey of Restoration with Caribbean Communities - Megan Davis, Ph.D.
- April 3: FAU’s New Environment School, ECOS: Building Bridges to Advance Research and Teaching - Colin Polsky, Ph.D.
- May 1: Fishers Know More Than You - Aaron Adams, Ph.D.
*For more information visit: www.fau.edu/hboi/osls or call the
Ocean Discovery Visitors Center, 772-242-2293 or visit:
https://www.fau.edu/hboi/discover-fau-harbor-branch/ocean-science-lecture-series/
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Ocean Exchange Names Winners of 2023 Awards
Two winners from the US and one from Switzerland claimed $100,000 prizes.
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Fort Lauderdale, FL, October 30, 2023 - The Ocean Exchange, a leader in supporting the acceleration of innovative solutions for healthy oceans and the sustainable blue economy, announces the winners of its prestigious Neptune, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Orcelle®, and Transportation/Logistics Hub Awards. The winners were selected from an international list of 22 finalists at the Ocean Exchange 2023 event, held October 22-24 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “Now in our 12th year, this award competition was again the largest and most competitive in our organization’s history, breaking the highs set in 2022. With a record number of applications and impressive global reach, it was fitting that the competing finalists came from 10 countries, reflecting the international scope of an event that is tackling critical worldwide issues,” said Millicent Pitts, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Ocean Exchange. Read more | | | |
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2023 Ocean Exchange awards winners pictured left to right:
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Orcelle®: Helix Power Corporation, Kevin Blackman, Co-Founder
Transportation/ Logistics Hub Award: Swiss Ocean Tech, Thomas Frizlen, Founder
Neptune Award: REMORA Technical, Matt Newberry, President and Chief Engineer
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Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava Announces Busiest Cruise Year in the History of PortMiami
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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, December 11, 2023 – PortMiami, the Cruise Capital of the World, welcomed 7,299,294 passengers and set a new record-breaking year in cruise activity for Fiscal Year 2023, which started October 1, 2022 and ended September 30, 2023. The Port experienced a 6.97% increase in cruise passenger totals compared to its previous record of 6,823,816 passengers in Fiscal Year 2019. On the cargo side, the Port recorded 1,098,322 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), surpassing the one million TEU mark for its ninth consecutive fiscal year. Read more | |
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PortMiami Welcomes Icon of the Seas, Largest Cruise Ship in the World
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, January 10, 2024 - Today, PortMiami, the Cruise Capital of the World, welcomed Royal Caribbean Group’s Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. Icon of the Seas will be homeported year-round from PortMiami. Read the news release: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/release.page?Mduid_release=rel1704924692650571
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Brevard Zoo Hoping Seagrass Nursery Helps Restore Indian River Lagoon
BY GREG PALLONE BREVARD COUNTY
UPDATED 3:19 PM ET OCT. 17, 2023 PUBLISHED 12:14 PM ET OCT. 17, 2023, Spectrum News
Alliance Board member Dr. Jeff Eble comments on Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute's support for Brevard Zoo’s seagrass nursery and the connection between their efforts and the continued challenges Indian River Lagoon dolphins are facing finding sufficient forage.
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Making Waves
In case you missed it, Florida Ocean Alliance and several member organizations were mentioned in the May 2023 "Making Waves" feature article in Florida Trend.
Read the article: Out of the Blue - Florida Trend | Feature
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After nearly 35 years of working in Florida, there’s one thing we at Ocean Conservancy know just as well as anyone here—that our state’s beaches, waterways and wildlife are precious natural riches. These treasures are the beating heart of Florida’s tourism industry, economy, culture and the Florida way of life.
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From the Panhandle to the Florida Keys, you’re never more than 60 miles from the ocean and 60 miles closer to some of the most pervasive marine issues in the United States. Helping Florida’s coasts means we must work together. Solving the state’s greatest environmental challenges won’t be easy and will require leadership from all levels of government. That’s why through our Shores Forward initiative, Ocean Conservancy is partnering with local leaders in the fight to conserve Florida’s most treasured assets: our ocean and coasts. We’re incredibly excited to be working with local government partners throughout Florida to take action on issues such as declining water quality and the growing prevalence of harmful marine debris.
Our Shores Forward partnerships are about bringing communities together to chart a path toward a better future. For example, under the Shores Forward umbrella, we’ve worked with the cities of Miami, Miami Beach, and Orlando to explore circularity through the Circularity Assessment Protocol (or CAP), create sustainability guidelines for major festivals and convenings, enact ordinances to stem dangerous fertilizer and pesticide pollution and build coalitions of stakeholders to ensure collaborative solutions.
And we’re just getting started. A Shores Forward partnership can open doors to new avenues for change, such as in Miami where Ocean Conservancy has partnered with key local groups to establish Plastic Free Cities. This exciting new program trains high school students to become advocates in their own communities and work with local businesses to eliminate plastic waste. Thanks to the success of the early Shores Forward partnerships, Ocean Conservancy is hoping to expand our network even further in 2024 and establish new partnerships with new cities and municipalities in Florida.
Now is the time to lean forward and show leadership for our shores. To learn how more about Ocean Conservancy’s work in Florida, including more on our Shores Forward and Plastic Free Cities initiatives, visit https://oceanconservancy.org/protecting-florida/
“Beaches are Florida’s most valuable asset. They are
culturally and economically important and provide habitat for many species as well as storm and flood protection for coastal communities.”
J.P. Brooker, Director of Florida Conservation, Ocean Conservancy
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More Marine News & Information | |
ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $100 Million for Projects to Restore the Indian River Lagoon | TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the first awards through the newly established Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Protection Program, which was proposed by Governor DeSantis in Executive Order 23-06. $100 million in state funding has been provided to support 21 priority water quality projects that will reduce the amount of harmful nutrients entering the IRL and help keep our waterways pristine. | | |
How Sea Rise Could Reshape South Florida Neighborhoods: Retreat Here, Growth There | Miami Herald - Studies from the First Street Foundation and the University of Miami suggest that coastal spots in Miami-Dade could lose population as residents retreat from climate change, but inland spots could densify. | | |
New Study Projects Sea Level Rise to Drain Florida's Financial Future | One million Florida properties are projected to be underwater. Today, those properties fund nearly 30% of local revenues for more than half the state's municipalities. | | |
New AI Technology Will Help to Find Ocean Plastics More Accurately | This AI model stands out due to its ability to detect plastics even under challenging conditions, such as cloudy skies or hazy weather. | | |
Global CO2 Emissions from Fossil Fuels to Hit Record High in 2023 Report | Global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels are set to hit a record high this year, exacerbating climate change and fuelling more destructive extreme weather, scientists said. The Global Carbon Budget report, published on Tuesday during the COP28 climate summit, said that overall CO2 emissions, which reached a record high last year, have plateaued in 2023 due to a slight drop from uses of land like deforestation. | | |
Florida And Climate Change | Climate change is impacting so much around us: heat, flooding, health, wildlife, housing, and more. WUSF, in collaboration with the Florida Climate Reporting Network, is bringing you stories on how climate change is affecting you. | | |
Can $500 Million Save This Glacier? | A bold engineering project might show a way to slow sea-level rise - and bring new imagination to the fight against climate change. | | |
Greenland's Melting Ice Could Ruin the Earth's Coastal Cities. A New Study Offers Hope. | According to a new study published Wednesday, the massive ice sheet is likely to be more resistant to global warming than had been thought before. | | |
Seaworthy News Making Waves @ The 2024 Miami Boat Show Announcing Our First Pitch Competition in Partnership with Yachting Ventures! | Plus apply for our Startup Studio & Incubator, and join the Seaworthy team this Spring! | | | |
Biden-Harris Administration Unveils First-Ever Strategy to Advance Environmental Justice for Communities That Rely on the Ocean and Marine Resources | U.S. Ocean Justice Strategy Will Integrate Principles of Equity and Environmental Justice in Federal Ocean Activities DUBAI - During the United Nations' Conference of Parties (COP28) today, the Biden-Harris Administration unveiled the first-ever U.S. Ocean Justice Strategy to advance environmental justice for communities that rely on the ocean and Great Lakes for economic, cultural, spiritual,... | | |
Florida Discontinues Manatee Winter Feeding Program after Seagrass Conditions Improve | Wildlife officials say a two-year experimental feeding program for starving Florida manatees will not immediately resume this winter as conditions have improved for the threatened marine mammals and the seagrass on which they depend. | | |
11th Annual World Ocean Summit & Expo | The 11th annual World Ocean Summit will deliver fresh, robust, and action-oriented insights into creating a sustainable ocean economy. | | |
Circling above Earth at a speed of seven kilometers (four miles) per second, the SWOT satellite altimeter only needs three weeks to image the entire surface of the planet. | | |
Fishing Nations Pledge Shark, Ray Protection | Atlantic fishing nations have agreed to better protect sharks and rays by limiting the retention of several bycatch species, but advocacy groups warn progress is still lagging. | | |
2023 Is Officially the Hottest Year Ever Recorded, Scientists Say | After record-breaking temperatures in November, the E.U.'s Copernicus Climate Change Service determined 2023 will officially be the hottest year humanity has experienced. | | | |
NOAA, University of Queensland Report: Marine Heatwaves Severely Impacting Corals
A report led by NOAA and the University of Queensland reveals alarming changes in the upper ocean’s conditions, ecosystems and communities.
The report, published in the journal Science,* found ...
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ICONIQ Impact Announces Up to $50M Collaborative Philanthropy Fund to Help Protect Our Ocean | PRNewswire/ -- Today, ICONIQ Impact, ICONIQ Capital's global platform for collaborative philanthropy, announced its Ocean Co-Lab - a philanthropic fund of up... | | |
SASJBEP Newsletter January 2024 | As we welcome the New Year, we're not just turning the calendar; we're embracing fresh starts and setting new goals. Much like individuals embark on personal journeys of growth and improvement, the St. Andrew and St. Joseph Bay Estuary Program is transitioning from planning to project implementation to further our environmental stewardship and conservation efforts in the coming year. | | | |
Unpacking COP28: Key Outcomes from the Dubai Climate Talks, and What Comes Next | The latest round of UN climate talks (COP28) yielded the first international agreement to transition away from fossil fuels. But it wasn't all good news: action on adaptation and climate finance were lacking. | | |
Preventing Marine Plastics: A Circularity Approach | How the World Bank and PROBLUE are transforming the lifecycle of plastic and helping countries move towards a circular economy. These interventions build a better world for all, especially for the world's poorest. | | |
Florida's Coral Reefs Are Recovering after Record High Ocean Temperatures | Marine scientists have begun restoring corals to underwater nurseries as waters have cooled and conditions have improved off Florida's coast, following a summer of record-breaking ocean temperatures. | | |
Interview: Moroccan Start-up Set to Transform Power Supply of Ports with Wave Energy | Born from the vision of two engineers, the Moroccan start-up Advanced Third Age Renewable Energies Company (ATAREC) has set its sights on exploiting the vast wave energy potential that exists around port breakwaters and other infrastructures exposed to sea, with its full-scale demonstrator already deployed and operating at the Port of Tanger-Med - one of the largest ports in Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. | | |
Desalination Startup in Southwest Utah Addresses World's Water Crisis | Washington County's Eden Technologies is building a way to get more freshwater from saltwater through desalination. A $250,000 investment from the new Utah Innovation Fund could help. | | |
No Place in the US Is Safe from the Climate Crisis, but a New Report Shows Where It's Most Severe | The impacts of a rapidly warming climate are being felt in every corner of the US and will worsen over the next 10 years as planet-warming pollution continues to rise, according to a stark new report from federal agencies. | | |
New Aquaculture Developments, Opportunities Emerge Globally in 2024 | "In a growing world, fisheries and aquaculture offer a sustainable food source," - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Aquaculture should play an important role in the dietary shift to mitigate emissions states the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as it initiates a global campaign aimed at bolstering food security and eliminating all forms of malnutrition. | | |
The World's Biggest Iceberg Is on the Move after 37 Years, and It Could Threaten Wildlife | A23a had been tethered to the sea floor for almost 40 years, but it's now floating away toward the Atlantic Ocean. | | |
The Marine Technology Society (MTS), in collaboration with community members, is in the process of creating an infrastructure to issue a variety of stackable microcredentials addressing core competencies required for employment in the blue economy. | | | |
Follow FOA on social media for more industry news and information. | |
Do you enjoy the quarterly Florida Ocean News? Consider a donation to help us continue to share important developments and information about our oceans, coasts and Florida's blue economy. | |
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Glenn Wiltshire, President
Port Everglades
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Spencer Crowley, Vice President
Akerman LLP
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Jackie Larson, Secretary
Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association
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Jeff Eble, Ph.D., Treasurer
Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute
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Paul Anderson
Executive Committee
Port Tampa Bay
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Josh Carroll
Royal Caribbean Group
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Anne Birch
The Nature Conservancy
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Duane E. De Freese, Ph.D.
Executive Committee
Indian River Lagoon Council
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Richard Dodge, Ph.D.
Director Emeritus
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Monty Graham, Ph.D.
Florida Institute of Oceanography
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Sherry Larkin, Ph.D.
Florida Sea Grant College Program
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David McDonald
McDonald, Miller & Coleman LLC
Director Emeritus
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Kumar Mahadevan, Ph.D.
Founding Member
Director Emeritus
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Alexis Meschelle
Organized Fishermen of Florida
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Denise McCafferty
Lloyd's Register
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James F. Murley, Esq.
Founding Member
Executive Committee
Miami-Dade County
Office of Resilience
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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
Director Emeritus
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Jim Sullivan, Ph.D.
Florida Atlantic University- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
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Matthew Upton
Roffer's Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service
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Gretchen Winters
Florida Harbor Pilots Association
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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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Jeff Watters
The Ocean Conservancy
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Susan Zellers
Ocean Exchange
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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. | | | | |
