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Top Locations for Ocean Energy
Using more than 30 years of measured data from NOAA’s Global Drifter Program (GDP), a unique study from the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University provides the most comprehensive global assessment of ocean current energy to date. Results, published in the journal Renewable Energy, reveal that the waters off Florida’s East coast and South Africa consistently exhibited high power densities, making them ideal for generating electricity from ocean currents. That's great news for Southeast Florida and Florida Atlantic, which is home to one of the four National Marine Renewable Energy Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Read more.
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Conch Education Partnership
FAU Harbor Branch and Blue Action Lab have partnered to launch a new conch learning module for Waterkeepers Bahamas’ Cadet Program, made possible by a grant from the Moore Charitable Foundation. This immersive capacity-building project offers Bahamian students hands-on environmental education, providing them with the tools and knowledge to contribute to vital conservation efforts.
Read more.
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Aquaculture 2025
FAU Harbor Branch's aquaculture research team traveled to New Orleans for the 2025 Aquaculture Triennial, where Florida Atlantic organized the 6th Annual U.S. Marine Finfish Special Session. Six student travel awards, each worth $1,000 and awarded based on merit, were funded by Florida Atlantic and the USDA Agriculture Research Service to support students presenting their research on U.S. marine finfish. Everyone from the team presented, covering a diverse range of topics including queen conch restoration, alternative fish feed ingredients, and larviculture.
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Fin of the Month: Lucas (LUCS)
Meet “LUCS,” also known as Lucas, who was first identified by the FAU Harbor Branch Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team (MMSPA) in January 2021.
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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 photo-identification catalog (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01). The MMSPA team spotted Lucas with a calf in October 2022 near the Wabasso bridge!
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 507 sightings ranging from New Smyrna to Stuart on the mobile app WatchSpotter. Becoming a citizen scientist is a great way to support FAU Harbor Branch's 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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President Hasner Visits FAU Harbor Branch
Florida Atlantic University President Adam Hasner recently visited research areas across campuses, including FAU Harbor Branch. Find more @FAUPresident on Instagram.
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2025 Indian River Lagoon Symposium
Nearly 800 scientists, students, environmental managers and interested members of the public recently converged in-person and virtually at FAU Harbor Branch for the annual Indian River Lagoon Symposium. The two-day symposium featured 117 oral and poster presentations, including 52 made by students from universities across Florida. Speakers provided updates and insights on such topics as seagrass restoration research, shoreline resiliency, water quality trends, native fish species and marine mammals.
Read more.
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SEERS Annual Meeting
The Southeastern Estuarine Research Society (SEERS) annual meeting was hosted at FAU Harbor Branch with 118 attendees from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Rachel Brewton, Ph.D. and Jordon Beckler, Ph.D. served as local hosts for the meeting, while Brian Lapointe, Ph.D. presented on the keynote panel at the meeting. Lapointe discussed how his career overlapped with that of the late M. Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D., who was a regular attendee at SEERS meetings. FAU Harbor Branch Marine Science & Oceanography graduate student Sarah Newton won an award for Best Oral Presentation.
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Art of Science
Florida Atlantic's Division of Research hosted the sixth annual Art of Science gallery opening. Art of Science is a photo and video competition that celebrates the innovation and creativity of scientific discovery. This year, FAU Harbor Branch had four winners and one honorable mention! The exhibit is free and open to the public through April 2 at the Ritter Art Gallery on Florida Atlantic's Boca Raton campus.
| | FAU Harbor Branch honorees: | | |
WINNER:
FACULTY IN THE FIELD
Sponge and Sea Lilies
Priscilla Winder, Ph.D., research associate
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WINNER:
STUDENT IN THE FIELD
What Lies Beneath
Olivia Ruchti, doctoral student
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WINNER:
TOP POSTDOC
Let There be Light
Mukesh Sharma, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow
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WINNER:
TOP STAFF
Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup
Li Sun Chin, research technician
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HONORABLE MENTION:
Where Have All the Conch Gone?
Megan Davis, Ph.D., research professor
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Welcome Audrey Slade
Audrey Slade recently joined the FAU Harbor Branch team as the executive assistant. Originally from Maine, she began her career in academia at Husson University, where she played a key role in launching the state’s first School of Pharmacy. She then spent 13 years in the Seattle area, where she helped small businesses and start-ups thrive, launched Issaquah’s first coworking space, and helped establish the Young Issaquah Professionals organization. Transitioning into the nonprofit sector, Audrey focused on mission-driven work, supporting healthcare professionals. With a strong background in operations, project management, and strategic growth, she brings a thoughtful and collaborative approach to her work.
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Special Donation
Mia Chandler is a 7-year-old with a passion for marine life and a giving spirit to match. After hosting a yard sale, Mia decided to donate the $200 proceeds to FAU Harbor Branch’s Marine Mammal Team. Her love for marine mammals started when she met the team at a STEM festival two years ago. That experience left a lasting impression and inspired her to give back. To celebrate her kindness, Mia and her family visited our campus, toured the Marine Mammal Ambulance, watched a drone demonstration and even got to name a dolphin!
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Ocean Discovery Experience
This month, FAU Harbor Branch's outreach and education team kicked off its Ocean Discovery Program with middle schoolers at the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County. Through hands-on activities and exciting lessons, the club members learn about the ocean and how to protect it. Activities covered topics including aquaculture and sustainable seafood, hazards to marine mammals and an inside look at the research underway at FAU Harbor Branch.
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Program Update: Marine & Oceanographic Academy
Students in the Marine & Oceanographic Academy study environmental management, which recently included a lesson on Florida's stormwater challenges. After learning about real-world issues, they designed and tested innovative solutions using a mock community.
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Junior Scientists at the IRL Symposium
The Junior Scientist Fellows successfully showcased their research findings at the Indian River Lagoon poster session. In collaboration with the Indian River Land Trust, FAU Harbor Branch mentored 18 high school students from Indian River County, guiding them through hands-on field research at the land trust's Coastal Oaks Preserve. The students worked in three teams on projects focused on coastal vegetation, benthic ecology and marine invertebrates.
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Tortuga Fest
FAU Harbor Branch will be an exhibitor in the Conservation Village at Rock the Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival in Fort Lauderdale, April 4-6. Each year, the festival raises funds to support ocean conservation. Our booth will feature our marine mammal research and rescue operations.
Learn more.
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FMSEA Conference
FAU Harbor Branch will be exhibiting at the Florida Marine Science Educators Association Conference in St. Augustine, April 24-27. Gabby Barbarite McHenry, Ph.D., director of outreach and engagement, has served as president of FMSEA for the past year.
Learn more.
| | 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 Oceans Day
Tuesday, April 1
Florida State Capitol, Tallahassee
Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Oxbow Eco Center, Port St. Lucie
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Earth Day Celebration: "Pollution Preservation"
Thursday, April 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Palm Beach State College, Eissey Campus
Palm Beach Gardens
Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration
Saturday, April 26
Riverview Park, Sebastian
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Celebrating a Legacy of Learning and Giving
For more than 20 years, Madeline Pearson has been a devoted attendee of the Ocean Science Lecture Series. A retired law enforcement officer from Miami, she first became involved with FAU Harbor Branch through the lecture series and has been a dedicated supporter since the early 2000s. Even after relocating, Pearson continues to tune in virtually, never missing an opportunity to engage with the latest news in marine science. Her generosity has helped sustain the program through challenging times. She provided critical funds after the 2004 hurricanes devastated our campus. Now, Pearson is ensuring the series’ future with a generous $100,000 bequest for program support.
“I just want to see the lecture series continue. Harbor Branch is one of my favorite charities,” said Pearson.
Her passion and commitment remind us of the lasting impact one person can have on a program. To help support the John & Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series and programs like it, visit www.fau.edu/hboi/giving or call Brandon McHenry at
772-242-2214 to learn more.
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Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Website
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