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

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 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 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 www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Questions How does your group interact directly and indirectly with coral reefs? www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Coastal Center 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 www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring  FOS program  Since 1998  20+ testers  Weekly testing  Parameters: Air & Water Temperature, secchi depth, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, general weather conditions www.FloridaOceanographic.org

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Seagrass Monitoring www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Chuck Fleischer Community-based Effort in Oyster Reef Restoration www.FloridaOceanographic.org

• REEF Great Annual Fish Count • FOS count at Bathtub Beach • Example of effort in education on importance of nearshore reefs. • Historically active on monitoring local reefs – FOS Dive Team 1989-2009 www.FloridaOceanographic.org

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Advocacy www.FloridaOceanographic.org

During Discharges Before Discharges 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. 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. 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? www.FloridaOceanographic.org

Our Mission To inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education and research www.FloridaOceanographic.org