Director's Report: Restoring Resiliency, Protecting our Oceans & Coastlines (theme for 2015 FSUCML Open House)

 

Five years ago, the Deepwater Horizon Blow Out brought global attention to the Gulf of Mexico, and intense focus on the effects of the oil spill on biological diversity and the interconnected habitats extending between the coastline and the deep sea.  We watched as some coastal habitats seemed to recover quickly while others in the deep sea remain affected even now, and we asked whether this was the worst thing that had ever happened in the Gulf.  History quickly revealed that the oil spill has much competition for the number one spot, from overfishing, agricultural and industrial pollution, and habitat loss due to development and poor coastal management practices. The dead zone off Louisiana, the increasing levels of mercury in fish, and the erosion of wetlands even in the Florida Big Bend - a relatively undeveloped area - all affect the resiliency and health of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem

 

Resilience is the capacity of nature to absorb disturbance and still retain its basic structure and function. It is the cornerstone of sustainability. Systems that are biologically diverse are more resilient. Think of our local habitats -- seagrass meadows, oyster reefs, saltmarshes, and other wetlands that protect their inhabitants, retain sediments and dampen storm surge, filter the air and water of pollutants, and fix carbon, thereby helping to curtail carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere while capturing nutrients for plant growth. These highly productive, vulnerable systems are responsible for this entire suite of services operating beneath our very noses.

 

What we sometimes fail to recognize is that we humans are an integral part of the ecosystem. We are among the many beneficiaries of all the services that coastal and marine ecosystems have to offer, wholly dependent upon them for our survival, and largely responsible for their current condition. We bear the brunt of the effects that lost resilience imposes on natural capital and on human health and economies.

 

Active engagement in protecting our oceans and coastlines is something we all can do.  We celebrate that ability and our scientific knowledge of the sea in our 2015 Open House, Restoring Resiliency, Protecting Our Oceans & Coastlines. Please join us on April 25th, 2015 for a day at the lab with family and friends.
Marine Operations: Supporting Research Across the University
 
Big Shark
RV Apalachee Makes Research Waves
From the Deepwater Horizon wellhead off Louisiana to Cedar Key, Florida, the R/V Apalachee sails the Gulf of Mexico, serving as a research platform for FSU, NOAA,  and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission scientists. What do you do for ten days at sea? Click HERE to see what happens.
Diving Into Science Training
The Academic Diving Program made a big splash this semester offering scientific diver training for FSU and state and federal agency scientists. Through this workshop, scientists gain the skills necessary for underwater research. Want to know what it takes to be a Scientific Diver? Click HERE for a review. 
Goliath Grouper
Dr. Chris Koenig (R), Dr. Jim Locascio (L)
 Back from the brink: Atlantic Goliath Grouper  recovery  in  the southeastern U.S.
 
The Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara), a once 
 abundant species in the southeastern U.S. -- especially in  Florida -- experienced first slow and then rapid declines that  started over 100 years ago. Today, while they are making a comeback, the science suggests that a full recovery is not yet in place and that there are extraordinarily high levels of mercury in their tissues, both lines of evidence suggesting that Goliath Grouper populations would not support a viable fishery. Further, there is economic evidence that a Goliath Grouper on the hoof (or fin) has greater economic value as part of the eco-tourism diving-and-viewing trade than it does on the plate.  Add to that the bottleneck to recovery posed by loss of mangroves -- essential nursery habitat for this and many other species of fishes (see director's report on the importance of habitat) and you can see that we have a long way to go. To learn more about this marvelous fish, click here to read the full article. 
Focus on Students and their Research

New Graduate Students
New Graduate Students
Joining the FSUCML grad student circle are two new scientists both of whom are interested in the reproductive ecology of fishes that are common in the grassbeds and hardbottom reefs around the lab. Learn more about their interests HERE.
Grad Spotlight: Brendan Talwar
As many coastal fish stocks have declined and technology has advanced, industrial fishing fleets have turned their attention to the deep sea. Brendan Talwar's research focuses on how this affects deep water sharks.  Learn more HERE.
Awards and Degrees
Two FSUCML graduate students receive prestigious fellowships this year, one from NOAA to study marine policy in Washington, DC, and the other from the Guy Harvey Foundation (our third student to receive this award) to study stress physiology in sharks.  Two others have completed their Master's degrees and moved on to bigger things. Who are these amazing students? Click HERE.
Visiting Student Researchers
Grad students from as far afield as the University of British Columbia and the University of California-Davis make annual treks to FSUCML to conduct their research. From deep sea dogfishes and hagfishes to insect eyes and salt marsh grasses, visiting graduate students cover the gamut when it comes to research. You can learn about all of our latest visitors and their latest projects HERE.
Outreach

New Kiosks
New Kiosks at the FSUCML
Come see the first in a series of kiosks about the habitats of Apalachee Bay! Click HERE to learn more.
Waves & Weather
Waves & Weather
Going fishing near the FSUCML? Be sure to check our WEATHERSTEM Weather Station first!   
FSUCML on Display
The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve hosts FSUCML research display. Learn more HERE.
Become a Friend of the Lab! 

With the support of the marine operations group and all the other staff at the FSUCML, the research conducted by faculty, grad students, and undergraduates continues to expand in novel areas on critically important topics, from the shoreline to the deep sea. What does this mean to you? It means that there are even more ways that you can contribute to FSUCML's success, whether you want to contribute funds or your time. Private support of any kind provides us with tremendous flexibility to respond rapidly to exciting new opportunities and to plan for long-term development. So please consider joining a group of dedicated people who support our mission.

 

Friends of the Lab

How can you help?  Contact us about volunteering with the staff or researchers.  You can make private tax-deductible donations to the MARINE LAB FUND (choose from drop-down) on the Florida State University Foundation's secure website here.  By donating $20 or more, you can receive as a gift an FSUCML mug or a t-shirt (we'll need your size)  If you have any questions, please contact FSUCML at 850-697-4095 or fsucml@fsu.edu.  

 

 

The Florida State University Coastal & Marine Laboratory
3618 Coastal Highway 98 St. Teresa, Florida 32358
www.marinelab.fsu.edu  (850) 697-4120
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