Tagging and releasing a juvenile shark in the Caloosahatchee River Shark scientist and Florida Sea Grant extension agent Armando Ubeda loves talking about sharks, regardless of the audience. Over his career, he’s been involved with studies related to the movement and distribution of coastal sharks, shark fishing-related issues, and shark identification. As a UF/IFAS Florida…
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…
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,…
Over Don’s 33-year career, he made numerous advancements in the fields of aquaculture, commercial fisheries and marine education. These advancements led to changes in state laws and regulations, particularly in the sponge industry. Florida Sea Grant has lost one of its most cherished friends as well as one of its true pioneers, Don Sweat. He…
Florida shrimp can be purchased at your local seafood market. UF/IFAS Photo: Tyler Jones Recipe by: Chris Verlinde, UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent This recipe was created from of a friend’s Facebook post. She had made something similar that looked delicious, so based on a few ingredients from her and searching…
Katherine Rose, a University of Florida graduate of fisheries and aquatic sciences, has been named the new Florida Sea Grant agent with UF/IFAS Extension for Charlotte County. In her new role, Rose will lead a marine and coastal resources education and outreach program that will work to adapt science-based ocean and coastal research to meet…
Victoria (Vicki) Gambale, a former Community Engagement Program Director for The Bay Foundation, part of Santa Monica Bay’s National Estuary Program, has been named Florida Sea Grant’s Clean Vessel Act Education Coordinator. In her new role, Gambale will work collaboratively with Florida’s recreational boating community to reduce boat-based pollution. Her efforts are currently focused on…
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate and honor the contributions and achievements of our Hispanic UF/IFAS Extension marine agents, who are championing efforts to protect and enhance Florida’s vital marine resources, as well as innovating new inclusion-minded solutions and local insight to meet the challenges of Hispanic communities of Florida. Since 2017, Victor Blanco, a…