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Grouper Calls, Research Answers
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute have unlocked new insights into the calls of red hind groupers using more than 12 years of underwater audio recordings. The study revealed a shift in grouper behavior, particularly related to the timing and frequency of mating calls. Changes in these dynamics are important for managing the species, especially during the vulnerable spawning season when overfishing can gravely impact the population.
Read more.
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Amy Wright, Ph.D., Honored for Marine Drug Discovery Research
Amy Wright, Ph.D., a research professor at FAU Harbor Branch, received the highest accolade presented by the American Society of Pharmacognosy. The Norman R. Farnsworth ASP Research Achievement Award recognizes Wright's exceptional contributions to the discovery and development of marine natural products with significant pharmaceutical potential.
Read more.
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Poster Presentation
Priscilla Winder, Ph.D., research associate at FAU Harbor Branch, presented her research poster about the chemical diversity of marine organisms from Florida waters at the 2025 American Society of Pharmacognosy Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids, Mich.
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Rewriting Plague History
For the first time, researchers have uncovered evidence of the bacterium behind the Plague of Justinian – the world’s first recorded pandemic.
Greg O’Corry-Crowe, Ph.D., research professor at FAU Harbor Branch, collaborated in recovering and sequencing DNA from eight individual teeth found in a mass grave in an ancient city in Jordan, near the pandemic’s epicenter where it was historically first recorded.
Read more.
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Responsible Seafood Innovation Award Finalist: Queen Conch Lab
FAU Harbor Branch's Queen Conch Lab (QCL) was named a finalist for a Responsible Seafood Innovation Award in aquaculture from the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA). The QCL is being recognized for bringing restoration science out of the lab and into Caribbean communities through its innovative mobile hatcheries program. Awards for the aquaculture and fisheries categories will be announced at the Responsible Seafood Summit in Cartagena, Colombia, on Sept. 30.
Read more.
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Fin of the Month: Swift (SWFT)
Meet SWFT, also known as Swift, who was first identified by the FAU Harbor Branch Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team (MMSPA) in March 2023.
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The image on the right was submitted by one of our citizen scientists, a registered Dolphin Spotter, and the land-based photo was successfully matched to the MMSPA team's photo-identification catalog (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01). SWFT has been seen by the team at least seven times since. The MMSPA team has sighted SWFT on their Sebastian, Vero and south Fort Pierce surveys.
Can you spot the similarities in these photos? The team uses the unique markings on their dorsal fins to identify individual dolphins, much like how we use our fingerprints. These sightings help the MMSPA team better understand movement patterns of bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon.
Registered Spotters can view all 548 sightings ranging from New Smyrna to Stuart on the mobile app WatchSpotter. Becoming a citizen scientist is a great way to support our ongoing marine mammal research. Visit our website to get started.
The photo on the left was taken by the FAU HBOI MMSPA program (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01). 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.
If you see dolphins while out on the water, please remember to stay 50 yards away. If you see a marine mammal in distress, please call the FWC hotline (888) 404-3922.
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Steve Burton on the Bob Soos Radio Show
Steve Burton, director of the Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team, gave his regular update on the health of the Indian River Lagoon dolphins found between the Sebastian and Jupiter inlets.
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Marine Energy Survey
Did you know the Gulf Stream - one of the world's strongest currents - can flow up to 5.6 miles per hour and move nearly 4 billion cubic feet of water every second from Florida to Europe? At FAU's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center, researchers are harnessing this powerful force of nature into energy solutions for Florida's coastal communities.
Help shape the future of marine energy in Florida by taking a quick, 10-question survey.
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Honored as Nation's Best
The 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings were announced, and for the first time Florida Atlantic was named one of the Top 100 Public Universities in the nation. Congratulations to everyone – faculty, staff, postdocs and students – who have worked hard to help Florida Atlantic achieve this distinction.
Watch President Adam Hasner's announcement.
| | FAU Harbor Branch Teams Up with FAU Football | | |
When Florida Atlantic football hosts Memphis for a Red Out on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at Flagler Credit Union Stadium, several activities are planned to honor and recognize the efforts on campus that helped the university achieve its elite R-1 status and produce FAU's first Top 100 ranking in U.S. News & World Report's annual list of top public universities.
The Fan Zone area outside the stadium, which opens at 4:30 p.m., will include interactive exhibits, fan-friendly activations and giveaways from Harbor Branch, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and the School of Environmental, Coastal and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS), which are each engaging in world-class environmental, marine and oceanographic studies and research.
A highlight of the Fan Zone will be a chance to visit our life-sized inflatable humpback whale exhibit. We are in the midst of a naming contest for the inflatable whale and will announce the winning name during Saturday's game. The voting is open until Saturday night and five lucky winners will be chosen from the entries to receive an FAU prize pack.
Read more.
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Back to School for MOA
FAU Harbor Branch welcomed the Marine and Oceanographic Academy (MOA) back for the 2025-2026 school year. Through a partnership with the Fort Pierce Westwood Academy and St. Lucie Public Schools, students from MOA access hands-on STEM experiences at FAU Harbor Branch with our education staff and scientists. This year, the students jumped right in to learning chemistry fundamentals and exploring the principles of water. Follow along throughout the school year for updates.
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Welcome New Junior Scientist Fellows
FAU Harbor Branch welcomed 16 talented high school students from Indian River County to the Junior Scientist Fellowship Program. Over the coming months, these fellows will work alongside scientists, educators and resource managers to conduct meaningful research at the Coastal Oaks Preserve. Their mission is to contribute to the protection and preservation of local ecosystems for future generations.
For nearly a decade, FAU Harbor Branch has partnered with the Indian River Land Trust to engage in scientific research on Land Trust properties. The research conducted by the student fellows provides critically needed information for the Land Trust to manage its shoreline properties and maximize the preservation of their native wildlife habitats and the Lagoon.
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Help Us Hold Our 'Best of the Treasure Coast' Title
Voting is open now for Indian River County's Best of the Treasure Coast 2026. Last year, FAU Harbor Branch's Indian River Lagoon boat tours took home the title of Best Eco-Adventure. We hope to retain our title and add Best Tourist Attraction to the list of accolades.
FAU Harbor Branch is a world-renowned research center that invites the public to experience marine science first-hand, making it a unique and unforgettable destination on the Treasure Coast. Visitors can explore the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center, featuring interactive exhibits, live aquaria with over 80 species, and cutting-edge research displays. Through guided tram and boat tours, guests can explore the 144-acre waterfront research campus or journey through the Indian River Lagoon aboard a floating laboratory, engaging with real-time data and wildlife alongside expert scientists.
Harbor Branch also hosts public lectures, community festivals and signature events like the International Ocean Film Festival, which draws hundreds of attendees annually. With opportunities for locals and tourists alike to learn directly from marine researchers, Harbor Branch blends education, adventure and conservation in a way no other attraction can. It’s not just a place to visit - it’s a place to discover.
| | Voting for the Best of the Treasure Coast opens Oct. 1. | | |
FAU Harbor Branch's outreach team travels to events throughout Florida with hands-on marine science educational exhibits and activities. In addition, FAU Harbor Branch scientists share their expertise through public lectures and workshops.
Florida SEE Webinar
Marine Mammals of Florida
Steve Burton
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.
Virtual
St. Lucie Ag-Xtension Fall Festival
Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
UF/IFAS St. Lucie Extension Campus
Fort Pierce
Indian River Lagoon Science Festival
Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Veteran's Memorial Park, Fort Pierce
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2025 Giving Day Success
Florida Atlantic University held its annual Giving Day on Thursday, Sept. 18. Over the course of the campaign, FAU Harbor Branch raised over $8,000 from 64 donors. This support will help fuel future research, empower students to pursue their career goals and strengthen the Institute's mission.
See the results.
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Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Website
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