The Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program (FLRACEP), hosted at the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), recently finalized a new 10-year Strategic Plan to support a resilient Gulf environment and economy. The next decade of Centers of Excellence projects will focus on research that generates long-term understanding of the West Florida Shelf and connected systems to support improved and dynamic management.

“Implementation of the FLRACEP Strategic Plan will provide local, regional and state resource managers with new understanding critical for managing complex linked ecosystems, including the Florida Shelf and Florida’s coasts and estuaries,” said Holly Greening, FLRACEP Program Management Team member and former Director of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.

The key to this objective is funding short- and long- term research that focuses on processes. The plan includes scoping for synthesis projects, science-driven technology development to support improved monitoring and management, and science to support coastal sustainability and restoration.

Julien Lartigue, FLRACEP Program Management Team member and NOAA RESTORE Science Program Director, said: “We are looking forward to coordinating with the FLRACEP on the execution of this new strategic plan, which highlights shared interests with our program and the other Centers of Excellence in the Gulf such as understanding connectivity within the Gulf ecosystem, co-production, and synthesizing existing datasets.”

A summary of the first ten years of research is available on the FLRACEP website: https://florida-restore-act-centers-of-excellence-program-fio-maps.hub.arcgis.com/

About the Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program

Funding for the Centers of Excellence and FLRACEP comes from the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act), which established a Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States. Florida Institute of Oceanography is the Gulf Coast State Entity responsible for administering FLRACEP. The program establishes Centers of Excellence in the State of Florida to conduct through a competitive grants process. To date, $10 million has been awarded to 10 Florida institutions to establish Centers of Excellence.

About the Florida Institute of Oceanography

The Florida Institute of Oceanography consists of 32 members including state universities. Established by the Florida Board of Governors and hosted by the University of South Florida, FIO provides support and shares marine science resources between the state’s universities and private, non-profit marine research entities. FIO operates the R/V Weatherbird II, R/V Hogarth, R/V Western Flyer, and the Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) in Layton, Florida.

After housing more than 5,000 rescued corals for three months due to unprecedented water temperatures that caused a massive coral bleaching event off the coast of Florida, the Florida Institute of Oceanography’s (FIO) Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) is now ready to return corals to the sea. FIO is hosted by the University of South Florida.

In recent days, water temperatures have cooled to normal levels to allow for the safe relocation of corals housed in the on-land seawater systems at KML. The health of these coral specimens have been assessed and cleared for return by coral health veterinarians. 

KML biological scientists, in partnership with restoration practitioners across the Keys, will now start moving these corals back to their ocean nurseries, a process that will take several weeks or even months. Coral nurseries are like floating Christmas tree farms that allow corals to grow under the care of researchers.

Ultimately from there, these corals will be reattached to grow on natural reefs using epoxy, cement, zip ties and nails. 

“The corals housed at KML came from nurseries where they were growing out in the ocean. Unfortunately, many of the corals that could not be relocated to land-based facilities and remained in the ocean died from the hot waters,” said KML Director Cynthia Lewis. “Conditions are now right for corals to return to nurseries to grow and one day be reattached, thus restoring the reef one coral at a time.”

KML maintains one of the largest temperature-controlled seawater systems in the Florida Keys, allowing for the study of corals and other marine organisms as well as offering a refuge for thermally-stressed corals to recover and grow. With 60 tanks ranging from 40 to 1,000 gallons, the lab played a vital part in rescuing and protecting thousands of corals, including several endangered and rare species, during one of the worst bleaching events in history. 

“Increased ocean temperatures pose a serious threat to coral reefs not only in Florida, but around the world,” said Tom Frazer, professor and dean of the USF College of Marine Science. “The work being done at the Keys Marine Laboratory will help to ensure that we have a viable population of corals to sustain longer-term restoration efforts.”

The laboratory is operated by FIO, which supports all institutions in the State University System. FIO receives core funding from USF. 

“USF can be proud of the incredible impact their investments in KML are having on the recovery of Florida’s most vulnerable coral reef ecosystem,” said FIO Director Monty Graham.

The lab, located in the middle of the Florida Keys, provided easy access for partners such as The Florida Aquarium, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Coral Restoration Foundation and others to relocate corals from reefs to the sea water system for temporary refuge. 

“Thanks to KML’s infrastructure, generosity and dynamic responsiveness, we were able to rescue highly stressed corals, pulling 10 percent of our coral stock onto land and out of immediate danger,” said Phanor Montoya-Maya, reef restoration program manager for the Coral Restoration Foundation. “This ensured that even in a worst-case scenario, we will have corals to restart our restoration efforts. Saving our reefs is a community effort, and this was never more apparent than this summer when our network pulled together during one of the most extreme environmental challenges many of us have ever faced.”

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that serve as critical habitat for numerous marine life, from fish and crabs to turtles and sharks. They also act as a first line of defense from storms, buffering coasts from wave action that can result in erosion and exacerbate flooding.  

When water temperatures get too warm, corals can become stressed, expelling algae living in their tissues and turning white. During such bleaching events, corals are more likely to experience die-offs. 

Unprecedented heat waves this past summer caused one of the largest coral bleaching events in history.

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. With 60 tanks ranging from 40 to 1,000 gallons, the lab has the capacity to house thousands more as the coral bleaching event is expected to continue.  

KML contains one of the largest temperature-controlled seawater systems in the Florida Keys, allowing for the study of corals and other marine organisms as well as offering a refuge for them to live, rehabilitate and grow. The laboratory is part of the state-wide Florida Institute of Oceanography, a consortium that supports all institutions in the State University System. Hosted by USF, FIO provides critical infrastructure like KML to support the state’s need for science. 

“For years we have been developing the infrastructure capacity to support reef restoration efforts that enable KML to temporarily house corals during emergencies such as this,” said Cynthia Lewis, director of KML. “Typically, water temperatures at this time of year are in the mid 80s, but we are already recording temperatures of 90 degrees. It is very alarming.” 

When water temperatures get too warm, corals can become stressed, expelling algae living in their tissues and turning white. During such bleaching events, corals are more likely to experience die-offs. 

The lab, located on Long Key, is in the middle of the Florida Keys, providing easy access for partners such as The Florida Aquarium, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Coral Restoration Foundation and others to relocate corals from reefs to the sea water system for temporary refuge. Many of the corals being delivered are rare and endangered species. 

It is likely that corals will be housed in land-based systems for months, with some being part of land-based breeding programs. Once these historically high-water temperatures return to normal, USF scientists in partnership with restoration practitioners across the Keys can return corals back to their off-shore nurseries and ultimately their natural environment, reattaching them to reefs using epoxy, cement, zip ties and nails. 

“We are very fortunate that aquarium systems like those at Keys Marine Laboratory are available and can be reliably used to stabilize and hold corals in emergency situations,” said Keri O’Neil, director and senior scientist of the Coral Conservation Program at The Florida Aquarium. “Some of the corals held here today will become part of our coral breeding program at The Florida Aquarium and will be given world-class human care for the rest of their lives, producing hundreds of offspring every year. When the time is right to return those offspring to the reef, they will once again have a short stay at Keys Marine Laboratory before returning to the ocean.” 

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that serve as critical habitat for numerous marine life, from fish and crabs to turtles and sharks. They also act as a first line of defense from storms, buffering coasts from wave action and erosion that can cause flooding.  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (July 12, 2023) – After a 4,000-mile journey, a 117-foot twin-hulled ship granted to the University of South Florida (USF) is docked at its new home port in St. Petersburg, where it will be operated by the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) to offer transformative opportunities for students to explore and advance the field of ocean science.

Called Research Vessel Western Flyer, the ship was granted to USF by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and will be the most technologically advanced vessel in the FIO fleet. FIO is housed at USF and supports all institutions in the State University System.

While FIO’s other research vessels, Weatherbird II and Hogarth, operate primarily within Florida waters, the Western Flyer will embark on expeditions further afield – operating in waters off the southeastern U.S. and stretching into the northern Caribbean Sea. Capable of longer missions and with additional berths, the added capacities will allow more interdisciplinary expeditions including at-sea development opportunities for research, engineering, maritime trades and other STEM careers.

“The addition of this magnificent ship will strengthen the University of South Florida’s position as a global leader in sustainability, environmental and oceanographic sciences,” USF President Rhea Law said. “We are honored to accept this generous gift from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. The Western Flyer will provide new real-world opportunities for students, help us fill the talent pipeline to meet workforce needs and expand our research capabilities.”

The vessel will feature a sophisticated remotely operated vehicle (ROV), designed to reveal the deepest, most mysterious parts of the Gulf of Mexico. Western Flyer is a distinctively wide and stable ship with a moon pool, an opening in the hull that allows scientists to deploy equipment such as the ROV.

The ROV will be used to livestream video, data and shipboard activities using remote science technologies, with the goal of allowing people on land and on board the vessel to cooperatively conduct research in real time.

“Our rapidly changing oceans require diverse perspectives, innovative technologies and approaches, and science-based decision-making,” FIO Director Monty Graham said. “We are excited to create the programming we need so that the Western Flyer, with all of its high-tech functionality, becomes not only a dynamic platform for the research itself but one through which we can advance the ocean science workforce.”

The FIO team is using the Western Flyer to create a new model for ocean science education that leverages the power of sustained mentoring and cohort-based programming, networked workforce development opportunities and remote science technologies. The yearlong program, called Peerside, is launching this summer with a select group of postsecondary students who will explore careers in ocean science, develop beneficial industry connections and conduct ship-to-shore research. Funding for this new at-sea ocean STEM program is supported by the Schmidt Ocean Institute and Schmidt Family Foundation.

“Schmidt Ocean Institute is delighted to be supporting this program that will work towards education and training for a more robust ocean science workforce. Early-career experiences at sea are important for inspiring and encouraging the next generation of scientists, maritime professionals and educators,” Executive Director Jyotika Virmani said.

The Western Flyer will complement the constellation of ocean science powerhouses, community engagement and education programs housed in St. Petersburg. The recently established Maritime and Defense Technology Hub hosted by the St. Petersburg Innovation District, for example, houses the Florida Flood Hub for Research and Innovation. The USF St. Petersburg campus is also developing a Center of Excellence in Environmental and Oceanographic Sciences. USF recently received a $24.3-million appropriation from the state of Florida to fund the first phase of planning and construction of the Environmental and Oceanographic Sciences Research and Teaching Facility, which will house the Center of Excellence. 

“This initiative is well-timed,” said Tom Frazer, dean of the USF College of Marine Science, where FIO is housed on the St. Petersburg campus. “FIO’s new capabilities enhance our ability to develop a Center of Excellence that builds upon our college’s history of success and celebrates a cross-disciplinary approach to addressing the challenges of coastal resiliency and sustainability while advancing economic vitality in St. Petersburg.”

About the University of South Florida

The University of South Florida, a high-impact research university dedicated to student success and committed to community engagement, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. With campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF serves approximately 50,000 students who represent nearly 150 different countries. For four consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked USF as one of the nation’s top 50 public universities, including USF’s highest ranking ever in 2023 (No. 42). In 2023, USF became the first public university in Florida in nearly 40 years to be invited to join the Association of American Universities, a prestigious group of the leading universities in the United States and Canada. Through hundreds of millions of dollars in research activity each year and as one of top universities in the world for securing new patents, USF is a leader in solving global problems and improving lives. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

About the Florida Institute of Oceanography

Established by the Florida Board of Governors and hosted by the University of South Florida, the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) provides support and shares marine science resources between the state’s universities and private, non-profit marine research entities. FIO operates the R/V Weatherbird II, R/V Hogarth, the R/V Western Flyer and the Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) in Layton, Florida.

Posted in partnership with the USF College of Marine Science

We are sad about the passing of Dr. John Ogden.  He died peacefully on Monday, June 25, 2023. Please read more about this great human being and his tremendous legacy as described in the obituary shared by his loving family.  We also share below comments from three local leaders whose respect for John runs as deep as John’s impact on this planet and its people.  Rest in peace, John.  We will miss you.

John Conrad Ogden, 82, of St. Petersburg, FL

A variety of medical complications from an elective hip replacement surgery, led to his tragic and untimely death, thus ending his beautiful life. 

His family surrounded him in his last week, and last days on the planet. Though he was unresponsive in his last few days, we sang to him, caressed him, and played his favorite songs. We recalled stories, shared gratitudes, read him messages from friends/family, and amply told him that we loved him. Before we said our last words and goodbyes for the night, his wife Nancy, son Eric, daughter Lisa and her partner Jake, played and sang Tom Petty’s ‘Wildflowers’ to him, together arm and arm in embrace. After being surrounded by loving family the whole day, John passed peacefully away in hospice care less than two hours later, on Monday, June 25, 2023. 

Born in Chatham, New Jersey in 1940 to Lydia Cecilia Julstedt and John Wilson Ogden, John had a challenging childhood, with alcoholic parents and a relatively absent father. There in New Jersey, he found inspiration and solace in the Great Swamp which led to a biology degree from Princeton in 1962, and followed by a PhD from Stanford under the famous Population Bomb author, Paul R. Ehrlich in 1968. In 1967, he met Nancy while they were both at Stanford, and after two years, they married and headed to Panama for a post doc with Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. They lived and studied parrotfish in the San Blas Islands and eventually ended up at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s new, West Indies Laboratory on St. Croix in 1971. He was the resident marine biologist and eventually became the Director of WIL. He was also Program Director of the NOAA Saturation Diving Facility HYDROLAB for 5 years and became an aquanaut and spent a week underwater with Nancy and 2 others on a parrotfish project. He loved sailing and sailboat racing, and he was very close to his sister Rita. His children, Eric and Lisa, were born and raised on St. Croix. Over the course of time, he and his family were there for 17 years. We were fortunate to have left St. Croix in 1988 as hurricane Hugo closed WIL in 1989. 

He was an early leader in the developing field of behavioral ecology. He initiated a Caribbean-wide seagrass study (SES) plus CARICOMP (Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity) which engaged in comparative studies throughout the greater Caribbean. He published over 70 papers, contributed to numerous books and produced several television programs about tropical ecosystems. A sabbatical in 1978 generated papers from Palau, Eniwetok and Hawaii, and he had a 6-month stint as Program Associate at NSF in 1986. As FDU cut funds for the Lab on St. Croix, he and his family moved to St. Petersburg, FL where he became the director of Florida Institute of Oceanography. There, in partnership with Florida Fish and Wildlife Institute, he added the Keys Marine Lab to FIO facilities. The KML is used by researchers and educators concerned with Florida Keys ecosystems. John worked hard on the creation of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (established in 1990). Colleagues in Newcastle, England invited him to be the external examiner from 1994 to 1996. He helped form the International Society for Reef Studies and was the most active president.

He has worked on policy and research relating to the conservation of tropical ecosystems with NSF, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of State, the World Bank, UNESCO, WWF and private foundations. He started doing Audubon Christmas bird counts in 1954 and was still doing them after retiring. In his later years after retirement, and up until his death, he was a mentor for adult men re-entering society after prison time and for those recovering from substance abuse/addiction. He also selflessly and successfully nominated many colleagues and students for awards and accolades, while never seeking them himself. He was a mentor and friend to countless students and colleagues – giving many of them the opportunity to be leaders in marine science, all over the world. 

We will deeply miss this Great Patriarch and beloved Leader of our family, more than words can ever say. His legacy shines bright in his family and in the lives he touched, and will live on forever. He will be sorely missed by his friends and family. John is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Nancy Ogden, His daughter Lisa Ogden and her partner Jake Mangiofico, His son Eric Ogden- Eric’s wife Lara and son Kai, and his Sister Rita and her family.

Suggested donations: Suncoast Hospice, WUSF, WEDU, Ocean Conservancy, Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery or USF Foundation for preserving data from tropical marine scientists.

AN EXCEPTIONAL LEADER WHO TOUCHED THE LIVES OF SO MANY

“John Ogden was a remarkable individual who was dedicated to the success of FIO 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)

“John spent a large part of his professional career on our campus, serving as Director of FIO for more than 20 years. His reach, however, extended well beyond the halls of MSL.  I consider myself extremely fortunate to have known John. As an aspiring young scientist, I benefitted greatly from his knowledge, insight and advice.  I have little doubt that he touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of marine scientists around the globe. He was special that way! Unselfish, friendly and fatherly.  I’m hopeful that we will forever be inspired by his many contributions and desire to advance our understanding of the natural world around us.”

Tom Frazer, Dean, USF College of Marine Science

“John was an accomplished scientist and a vigorous proponent of collaborative marine research. His work with the Florida Institute of Oceanography was groundbreaking in its collaborative scope and scale and I had the honor of working with John and his staff to make the Keys Marine Laboratory a world-class destination for scientific research in the Keys. He will be dearly missed, but his substantial legacy is reflected in the collaborative spirit that characterizes much of the marine research conducted in Florida today.”

Gil McRae, Director, FWRI

Awards made are to the following lead investigators:

• Dr. Cameron Ainsworth, University of South Florida (USF), will work with a stakeholder group to utilize a Gulf of Mexico ecosystem model to determine the efficacy and combined effects of the Florida Trustee Implementation Group’s (FL TIG) restoration projects and inform future work.
• Dr. Brad Rosenheim, USF, will lead a project to evaluate natural and restored Gulf coast mangroves to determine the resilience and success of restored systems on a decadal time scale, including measuring carbon capture, to improve future restoration practices by partners at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and TerraCarbon LLC.
• Dr. Jessica Graham, St. Andrew and St. Joseph Bays Estuary Program at Florida State University Panama City, will lead a team of researchers and practitioners to assess the success, economic impact, and ecosystem services provided by living shorelines in the Panhandle Region to assist in restoration target setting. These two to three-year projects will begin in the spring.

“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.

About the Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program

Funding for the Centers of Excellence and FLRACEP comes from the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act), which established a Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States. Florida Institute of Oceanography is the Gulf Coast State Entity responsible for administering FLRACEP. The program establishes Centers of Excellence in the State of Florida to conduct through a competitive grants process. To date, $10 million has been awarded to 10 Florida institutions to establish Centers of Excellence.

About the Florida Institute of Oceanography

The Florida Institute of Oceanography consists of 32 members including state universities. Established by the Florida Board of Governors and hosted by the University of South Florida, FIO provides support and shares marine science resources between the state’s universities and private, non-profit marine research entities. FIO operates the R/V Weatherbird II, R/V Hogarth and the Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) in Layton, Florida.

Dr. Chris Stallings, USF, will lead this third phase of the “Spawning Habitat and Early-Life Linkages to Fisheries” (SHELF) project , which over the next 3.5 years will advance technologies used to collect and barcode fish eggs to improve our understanding of seasonal spawning dynamics and conduct a targeted study to link adult abundances to egg production. The research team will also conduct studies that help operationalize the application of these techniques across the Gulf and beyond.

 “Long-term monitoring is an essential tool to help us unravel complex patterns in species abundance and diversity relative to their environment. This project contributes to the data stream used to make us better managers of the Gulf’s important resources,” Dr. Bonnie Ponwith, Chair of the Program Management Team and former Director of NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center stated.

Originally awarded in 2016, with a possibility of up to 15 years of funding, the project has demonstrated continued progress through two external science reviews, even overcoming significant challenges due to COVID-19.

“When COVID prevented us from sending USF students to work in close quarters at sea, we found another source of fish-egg samples that were being housed at Stennis Space Center (Mississippi) by NOAA Fisheries. FIO and the FLRACEP Program Management Team allowed us to adapt the SHELF II scope of work to substitute these archived samples for samples that we would have collected ourselves. Of course, NOAA Fisheries was happy to have us apply our DNA barcoding method to their archived samples, so the end result was a win-win situation for everyone,” said Dr. Ernst Peebles, Associate Professor and lead investigator for SHELF I and II.

About the Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program

Funding for the Centers of Excellence and FLRACEP comes from the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act), which established a Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund in the Treasury of the United States. Florida Institute of Oceanography is the Gulf Coast State Entity responsible for administering FLRACEP. The program establishes Centers of Excellence in the State of Florida to conduct through a competitive grants process. To date, $10 million has been awarded to 10 Florida institutions to establish Centers of Excellence.

About the Florida Institute of Oceanography

The Florida Institute of Oceanography consists of 32 members including state universities. Established by the Florida Board of Governors and hosted by the University of South Florida, FIO provides support and shares marine science resources between the state’s universities and private, non-profit marine research entities. FIO operates the R/V Weatherbird II, R/V Hogarth and the Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) in Layton, Florida.

Honoring the Ocean is a new interdisciplinary experiential program of the Honors Colleges of five institutions of the State University System (SUS) and sponsored by the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO). Over the course of the spring semester, 20 students, widely considered among the best and brightest of their schools, have joined with professors and FIO, a statewide institute supporting ocean research and education, to explore humankind’s interaction with the ocean.

A set of virtual lectures taught by Honors faculty from Florida International University (FIU), University of Central Florida (UCF), University of Florida (UF), University of North Florida (UNF), University of South Florida (USF) prepared students for an adventure at sea onboard FIO’s research vessels. The program targeted students from a very broad spectrum of backgrounds; no experience in marine science was required. The program was intentionally designed to foster collaboration among students and faculty from different fields. By working together, students are exploring interdisciplinary approaches to addressing critical issues facing Florida’s coastlines and oceans.

“This program encapsulates what Honors education is all about: interdisciplinary inquiry, experiential activities, and the creation of new knowledge through students’ own projects. That they get the chance to learn from faculty and interact with their peers at five Florida SUS Honors Colleges and FIO staff is what makes it an exceptional opportunity,” said Dr. Padmini Coopamah Waldron, Director of Honors Research at UCF.

The first at sea experience for the students will take place this weekend aboard FIO’s Research Vessel (R/V) Weatherbird II. The group will depart from St. Petersburg Friday morning for a busy weekend of field-based learning endeavors focused on the relationship between humans and the Gulf of Mexico. A second cohort of students and instructors will depart from FIO’s Keys Marine Laboratory next week on the R/V W.T. Hogarth to explore Keys-based waters.

The topics covered are not typical for oceanography or marine biology. Ranging from the importance of ‘left handed’ Lightning Whelks to the earliest native Floridians to the role fishing plays in political structures and conflict to poetry, visual arts and journalism, these students are going to see the ocean around them with a sense of appreciation. The experience in the complex ecosystem that is the Gulf of Mexico can also be an asset to students seeking opportunities to work with government agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations especially in the state of Florida and its $74 billion Blue Economy. 

The course was imagined through a conversation between FIO Director, Dr. Monty Graham, and USF’s Dean of the Judy Genshaft Honor’s College, Dr. Charles Adams. USF is FIO’s Host Institution and played a key role in bringing the other SUS universities to the table to try something entirely new and it has worked beautifully.

“In Florida, the ocean touches all of our lives. Every penny of Florida’s $1.3 trillion economy either benefits from or is vulnerable to the ocean. All of Florida’s students should explore and understand their relationship with the sea,” said Graham.

Check the Honoring the Ocean webpage for content from the cruise experiences.

The Florida Institute of Oceanography consists of 32 members including state universities. Established by the Florida Board of Governors and hosted by the University of South Florida, FIO provides support and shares marine science resources between the state’s universities and private, non-profit marine research entities. FIO operates the R/V Weatherbird II, R/V Hogarth and the Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) in Layton, Florida.

Researchers were concerned about the potential development of a red tide bloom as a result of the floodwaters of Hurricane Ian because hurricanes are suspected of playing a role in stimulating blooms due to the heavy rainfall and flooding that can bring in an excess of nutrients, which causes blooms to thrive. The science team set out on the R/V Hogarth in October 2022 to observe, study, and sample the ecosystem during the initial Hurricane Ian Response Cruise.

Unfortunately, by the end of the first cruise, red tide blooms were discovered. Luckily, scientists from FGCU and SCCF had collected prior long-term data in the area that could be used to evaluate any impacts the storm could have had on local ecosystems and water quality.

“We are investigating a pattern over the past 20 years in which long and intense red tide blooms can occur after a major hurricane,” said Dr. Eric Milbrandt, Director of SCCF. “It happened after Hurricane Charley in 2004 and again after Hurricane Irma in 2017.”

Hoping to provide a clear picture of the effects of the hurricane and the observed blooms, researchers tracked blooms using satellite imagery, focused on water quality and the ocean floor, and analyzed nutrients collected during the second response cruise. A number of sites were sampled, going as far as 80 miles offshore into the Gulf of Mexico. As in the first response cruise, each researcher aboard the vessel had a different focus.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, the underwater world appeared to have been severely affected. During the first cruise, researchers found that artificial reefs located 30 miles offshore had been heavily impacted. They explained that a great portion of the seafloor appeared to be covered by a thick layer of mud which had caused hard corals to be wiped away. They also indicated that many recreational fish species were back in the area and abundant after the storm, but that the systems that supported those fish had been heavily impacted.

Sullivan is the Executive Director of Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (FAU Harbor Branch) and has served as FAU’s representative on the FIO Council for more than 5 years.

“FIO is delighted to welcome Dr. Jim Sullivan as Chair of the FIO Council. Jim brings a breadth of knowledge and wide-ranging experience in Florida ocean science research, academics, and operations and we are excited to see what that means for the council,” said Dr. Monty Graham, Director of FIO.

Prior to serving in his current role at FAU Harbor Branch, Jim had an illustrious career as a researcher and oceanographer in the public and private marine science spheres. He has developed (or co-developed) vital profiling and characterization equipment and is credited in over 50-peer reviewed publications. Sullivan also currently serves on Florida’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force, which supports key funding and restoration initiatives and guides regulatory changes.  

“Florida is at the epicenter of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Given this, FIO is a critical organization and resource for numerous universities and other stakeholders in the state who are involved with oceanographic and coastal research, resilience and educational initiatives. I’m honored to work with FIO to expand its reach and mission,” said Dr. Jim Sullivan, Executive Director of FAU Harbor Branch.

Voted unanimously by the FIO Council’s full member representatives, Jim Sullivan replaces Dr. Jim Fourqurean, who served as chair for three critical years. Fourqurean, a distinguished professor and Associate Director of Florida International University’s (FIU) Institute of Environment, helped navigate the FIO Council through the COVID-19 pandemic and was instrumental in establishing FIO’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan as well as securing the organization’s continued status as an Academic Infrastructure Support Organization.   

Dr. Jim Sullivan assumed the role as FIO Council Chair during FIO’s Fall Council Meeting, hosted by Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute .

The Florida Institute of Oceanography consists of 32 members including state universities. Established by the Florida Board of Governors and hosted by the University of South Florida, FIO provides support and shares marine science resources between the state’s universities and private, non-profit marine research entities. FIO operates the R/V Weatherbird II, R/V Hogarth and the Keys Marine Laboratory (KML) in Layton, Florida.

About Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute:
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute is a world class research organization with a focus on exploring the marine environments, studying key species and understanding the connection between humans and the ocean. Founded in 1971 as Harbor Branch Oceanographic Foundation, Inc., the Institute expanded its reach to over 100 miles along Florida’s east coast when it joined Florida Atlantic University in 2007. Located in St. Lucie County, the 144-acre campus along the Indian River Lagoon employs over 200 scientists, engineers, educators, staff and students. To this day, the Institute actively pursues solution-oriented research that addresses some of the most critical issues affecting coastal zones, oceans and human well-being. For more information, visit www.fau.edu/hboi.

About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.