Florida Sea Grant is now accepting applications for the 2022-23 Aylesworth Scholarship Award from Florida university students conducting research in the marine sciences. Applications are due to Florida Sea Grant by 11:59 p.m. EST, on June 1, 2022. The competition is open to any undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled full-time at one of…
A new, online version of Florida’s Stem-to-Stern program—which originally engaged participants through a multi-day conference—is in the works. The program’s planning team is looking for Florida boaters, waterfront residents and businesses, and practitioners to participate in a short survey to help identify current issues for guiding educational content in boating and waterway management topics. Boating…
On April 1, Florida Sea Grant Director Dr. Sherry Larkin testified before the U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis on the potential of new, nature-based solutions that support the health of our coastal and marine ecosystems. These solutions, Larkin stated, have been proven to improve our coastal habitats, strengthen our communities’ ability to…
Save the date for goliath grouper! The 13th Annual Great Goliath Grouper Count is scheduled to take place June 1–14, 2022. The Great Goliath Grouper Count is a stakeholder driven effort, made possible through collaboration with Florida Sea Grant, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and county partners. Every year, this project provides a “snapshot” of goliath grouper abundance and…
Over 28 ‘Scars Hurt’ outreach signs are placed at boat ramps around Florida and internationally in Tasmania, Australia and the Seychelles. Interested in sponsoring a sign in your community? Email beseagrasssafe@gmail.com. Since 2015, Florida Sea Grant and UF/IFAS Extension’s Be Seagrass Safe campaign has educated Florida’s boaters and coastal communities alike about the devastating impact…
Marty the Manatee, a Florida native, is a part of an extensive line of modern manatee species that have inhabited Florida waterways for millions of years. Marty, who has been grazing seagrass for forty years, tells us about his role in the ecosystem and what we can do to help him and his friends. Q:…
Carolyn Kovacs, a former resident lecturer of tropical coastal ecology at The School for Field Studies, has been named the new Florida Sea Grant agent with UF/IFAS Extension for Flagler and Volusia Counties. In her new role, Kovacs will develop and lead a marine and coastal resources education and outreach program that will work to…
Natural disasters, like red tide events, disrupt normal daily life within communities and reduce the attractiveness of a destination for tourists. An uptick in the occurrence or severity of such hazardous and disruptive events can have very distinct and catastrophic socioeconomic impacts. From October 2017 to January 2019, a significant red tide event limited access…
Ben Murphy, a proud Gainesville native, is Florida Sea Grant’s Communications Program Assistant. Wearing many hats, he’s been supporting the marine and coastal research, education and extension program since 2018. Q: Tell us about your role at Florida Sea Grant. Ben: I do a little bit of everything. I’m a part of the Communications team,…
Originally published at UF/IFAS News Highlights Demand for Florida stone crab is on the rise with prices at all-time highs. Researchers are working to help crab populations and support the fishery. A recent research study found that traps may not be a source of concern for the crab populations. Florida’s stone crab industry contributes $30…