Florida Sea Grant is contributing to Florida’s reputation as a leader in the conservation and management of sharks. In January, a new Florida law went into effect that protects tiger sharks and three species of hammerheads from harvest in state waters. “Florida waters are one of the final bastions for shark diversity in North America,…
Add middle and high school students to the growing list of Floridians learning about aquaculture, a relatively new industry but one that already generates an estimated $250 million economic impact annually in the state. In a remarkable 900-square-foot greenhouse on their campus, students at Crystal Lake Middle School in Lakeland are trying their hand at…
by Mickie Anderson, UF/IFAS News Living along a Florida beach sounds like a dream, but it can bring nightmarish worries, including severe weather, erosion and regulations limiting how the land is used. A new study by Florida Sea Grant researchers with the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law and Institute of Food and Agricultural…
Miami Beach, some areas of which already suffer from tidal flooding during extreme high tides, is now incorporating sea-level rise into infrastructure planning. Consulting engineers for the City are recommending significant upgrades and changes in the stormwater system to help the system function more effectively during increases in sea level anticipated during the lifespan of…
A new federal law (The “Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012”) reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years. At the same time, a provision of the law (Section 100215) establishes a “Technical Mapping Advisory Council.” This Council is to make recommendations on mapping standards and guidelines for flood insurance rate maps.…
Florida Sea Grant partnered with the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (Apalachicola NERR) to bring the workshop “Adaptive Planning for Coastal Change–Legal Issues for Local Government” to the Florida Panhandle on August 9, 2012. The full AGENDA is available at this link. The workshop presented local government planners and attorneys with the science of sea-level…
Originally conceived at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, World Oceans Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate our world and own personal connection to the sea. Floridians should have a special place in their hearts for our oceans, for our connection is direct and profound. We have more than 1,300 miles…
The guide is a companion to the popular boat ramp and marina locator map for Citrus County. Scallopers, rejoice! Just in time for the start of the 2012 scalloping season, Florida Sea Grant has published the boat ramp and marina locator map, “Recreational Harvesting of the Florida Bay Scallop: Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach Areas.” Inside,…
Sea Grant researchers apply new technology to help decision making for post-disaster recovery in Sarasota County How to best redevelop after a storm? It’s a challenging question coastal communities must answer once basic order is restored after a storm catastrophe. In Sarasota County, Florida, community leaders are getting ahead of the game. With Sea Grant…
The second in a series of marine sanctuary books edited by Florida Sea Grant marine extension agent Maia McGuire has now been published. “Explore the West Coast National Marine Sanctuaries” is available through Ocean Publishing, a publisher located in Flagler Beach, Fla., who approaced McGuire about compiling materials for the series. The 350-page book has…