Rising Tides Newsletter - February 2026

Gag grouper are overfished in the Gulf. This new tool could help

The new approach “provides a flexible tool to support decision making, particularly for vulnerable, highly targeted stocks,” according to the authors.

College of Marine Science represented by two fellows in the National Academies’ Gulf Research Program

This Gulf Scholars Program gives 12 people that were selected as Science Policy Fellows, the opportunity to work alongside environmental agencies and organizations across the Gulf Coast.

USF turns 70

As USF celebrates 70 years since its founding, the College of Marine Science is highlighting stories about our history, including the people and science behind our world-class research enterprise. View a historical gallery of the college that was archived by staff at the USF Libraries.

Social Media News

Another fun year at the St. Petersburg Science Fest! We were excited to share our science with the public, and host the Jr. Scientists program, where middle and high school students get the opportunity to teach alongside scientists at the event.

College of Marine Science faculty, staff, and students shared their passion for science, teaching about nautical flags, marine viruses, deep sea creatures, sea level rise, and how to make your own fish print!

View on Linkedin

Think it’s chilly here? Margaret Mars Brisbin, assistant professor, is navigating the Weddell Sea in Antarctica, where she is studying marine microbes as part of an NSF-funded project.

View on Instagram

CMS in the News

Research on floating algae by Chuanmin Hu and Brian Barnes was featured on WUSF and the science podcast Radio Ecoshock.

Steve Murawski’s talk during the State of Science was highlighted by the St. Pete Catalyst.

Dean Frazer was interviewed by Fox 13 about $1.5 million in federal funding to enhance the college’s ocean instrumentation.

Congratulations to the team from Fleming Island High who won the 2026 Spoonbill Bowl! And a special shout out to Teresa Greely, Kennedy Quillen, and Makenzie Kerr for coordinating another successful event.

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped represent the college at the St. Pete Science Festival!

We hope everyone who attended the Ocean Science Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland had a fantastic time.

Does your student, classmate, professor, or colleague deserve a shoutout in the next Rising Tides Newsletter? Contact Dyllan (dfurness@usf.edu) with suggestions.

140 7th Avenue South St. Petersburg, Florida 33701