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November 2024

Harnessing Offshore Energy


Imagine harnessing the power of ocean currents to generate clean, renewable energy right off the coast of Southeast Florida. Florida Atlantic's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center was recently awarded an $800,000 grant from the United States Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office to enable commercial readiness of ocean energy technologies.


Read more.

Florida Crossroads: Seafood Farming


The Florida Channel produced a documentary featuring aquaculture research at FAU Harbor Branch and the importance of developing this technology to ensure a safe, healthy, sustainable food source for the growing global population.


Watch the documentary.

Queen Conch in International News


Jamaica - In April, a queen conch mobile lab was established at The University of the West Indies’ Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory in Jamaica, in collaboration with Megan Davis, Ph.D., research professor and director of the Queen Conch Lab at FAU Harbor Branch. This project is the first of its kind in Jamaica and aims to support both economic development and restoration efforts in the island nation.


Read more.

The Bahamas - Waterkeepers Bahamas Cadets, a youth program operated by Waterkeepers Bahamas, has partnered with the Grand Bahama Queen Conch Mariculture Center at Conservation Cove. Launched by Blue Action Lab earlier this year in collaboration with FAU Harbor Branch's Queen Conch Lab, the Mariculture Center is pioneering efforts to restore queen conch populations through sustainable mariculture practices. Students in the Cadets program will play a hands-on role in this initiative as they study aquaculture of the queen conch.


Read more.
 

Photo courtesy of Waterkeepers Bahamas

Fin of the Month: Scoop (SCOP)


Meet “SCOP”, also known as Scoop, who was first identified by the FAU Harbor Branch Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team (MMSPA) in January 2021. Scoop is a known male and is often seen between Sebastian and Fort Pierce. He has been spotted with PDOT who was featured as our October Fin of the Month.

The image on the right was submitted by a registered Dolphin Spotter, and his land-based photo was successfully matched to the MMSPA team photo-identification catalog (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01). This Dolphin Spotter has seen SCOP multiple times by his home over the last 2 years. 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 fill in research gaps within and outside of their survey region. Registered Spotters can view all 466 sightings on the mobile app WatchSpotter.


Becoming a Dolphin Spotter citizen scientist with FAU Harbor Branch is easy. Capture photos of dolphins while you're standing on the shore, then 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.
 

Around Campus
 

Global Engagement Award


Congratulations to Cathy Rossmell (pictured front and center), coordinator of administrative services at FAU Harbor Branch, for being awarded the Staff Global Partner of the Year Award by Florida Atlantic's Center for Global Engagement. This recognition is given out every year to a staff member who goes above and beyond in his or her commitment to supporting the center and the global mission of international education.
 

Outreach and Education
 

Marine and Oceanographic Academy Update


There's never a dull moment during the FAU Harbor Branch labs with the Marine and Oceanographic Academy (MOA). Check out what the students were up to this month: 

  • Hands-on Chemistry: Mastering different types of chemical reactions and laboratory techniques.
  • Characterizing Marine Sediments: Analyzing the composition of samples from around the world.
  • Experiencing Physics In Action: Identifying the composition of solutions using emission spectra and flame tests.
  • Going Behind the Scenes: Touring FAU Harbor Branch laboratories and meeting scientists to learn about cutting-edge research.


Learn more about MOA.

Indian River Lagoon Science Festival


The annual Indian River Lagoon Science Festival was held Saturday, Oct. 24 on the Downtown Fort Pierce waterfront. The festival combines interactive science, technology, engineering arts and math exhibits for a full day of family fun, entertainment and education. FAU Harbor Branch's Marine Mammal Ambulance was a highlight exhibit, along with hands-on marine science activities led by the Outreach team.

Exclusive FAU Harbor Branch merchandise plus ocean-themed and eco-friendly gifts. Sales ends Monday, Dec. 2.
Shop Now
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Featured Events
 

2025 Ocean Science Lecture Series


Every Wednesday at 4 p.m., Jan. 8 - March 26

Johnson Education Center at FAU Harbor Branch in Fort Pierce


January Topics:

  • Jan. 8 - FAU Harbor Branch: Celebrating Our Accomplishments and Looking Ahead, Speaker: Jim Sullivan, Ph.D.
  • Jan. 15 - An Update on the FAU Harbor Branch Stranding and Population Assessment Team and Their Work with Marine Mammals in Southeast Florida, Speaker: Steve Burton
  • Jan. 22 - Algal Blooms in Southern Florida: Current Trends and Future Directions, Speaker: Malcolm McFarland, Ph.D.
  • Jan. 29 - Exploration of Deep-water Habitats off Puerto Rico for Biotechnology Potential, Speaker: Esther Guzman, Ph.D.
Register
 

Save the Date
 

2025 Southeastern Estuarine Research Society (SEERS) Spring Meeting

March 6-8, 2025

Hosted by FAU Harbor Branch
 

Supporting Science
 
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FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | 5600 N US Highway 1 | Fort Pierce, FL 34946 US

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