Vincent Encomio, Ph.D. www.FloridaOceanographic.org Who are we? - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Vincent Encomio, Ph.D. www.FloridaOceanographic.org Who are we? - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Jan 05, 2024 481 likes •677 views

The Florida Oceanographic Society: Fostering environmental stewardship along the Treasure Coast Vincent Encomio, Ph.D. www.FloridaOceanographic.org Who are we? Non-profit organization founded in 1964 with the mission to inspire

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

The Florida Oceanographic Society: Fostering environmental stewardship along the Treasure Coast

Vincent Encomio, Ph.D.

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Who are we?

  • Non-profit organization founded in 1964 with the

mission to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education and research.

  • Volunteer-driven programs in education, research and

restoration

  • Advocacy for local & state environmental issues

– Everglades restoration – Health of the IRL, esp. St. Lucie River

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Who do we represent?

  • General public

– Visitation

  • Public programs
  • Age-specific educational programs (summer camp, adult

education)

– Volunteers

  • Youth to adult (generally 15 yrs+)
  • All ages - “K to Grey”
  • Local community

– Advocate for Everglades and IRL issues – Interact strongly with other non-profits

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Questions

How does your group interact directly and indirectly with coral reefs?

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Coastal Center

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Citizen Science

  • Important way to

educate and engage the public

  • Collect data and

monitor environment

  • Can collect relevant

scientific data

  • Increase public

influence on decisions

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

FOS program  Since 1998  20+ testers Weekly testing  Parameters:

Air & Water Temperature, secchi depth, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, general weather conditions

Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Seagrass Monitoring

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Chuck Fleischer

Community-based Effort in Oyster Reef Restoration

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

  • REEF Great Annual Fish

Count

  • FOS count at Bathtub

Beach

  • Example of effort in

education on importance

  • f nearshore reefs.
  • Historically active on

monitoring local reefs

– FOS Dive Team 1989-2009

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Advocacy

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Before Discharges During Discharges

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Advocacy efforts directly related to coral reefs

  • Participated in submission of Site Evaluation for St. Lucie Inlet

State Preserve Reef south and Sabellariid Reef north as National Marine Sanctuary (1995; effort first started in late 80’s). – Regions submitted: Oculina Banks, 1 mile north of St. Lucie Inlet & 4 miles south of Inlet. – Oculina Banks – Marine Protected Area

  • Involved in Management Plan for SLISP park and reefs.
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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

What are your stakeholder group’s key concerns regarding coral reefs?

  • Overall health of coral reefs and surrounding ecosystems
  • Effects of freshwater discharges
  • Health of local fisheries

More educational efforts needed on the coral species themselves.

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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

What does your stakeholder group want to see happen with coral reefs (i.e. management, short and long term goals)?

  • Stop discharges
  • Increase # mooring buoys
  • Protection of nearshore reefs (including worm reefs)
  • Revisit Site Evaluation for National Marine Sanctuary status
  • Could SE FL Reef Tract management plan facilitate Evaluation?
  • Is that a goal?
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www.FloridaOceanographic.org

To inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education and research

Our Mission