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Atlantic Cownose Rays in Bermuda
For hundreds of years, the whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) has been considered the only inshore stingray species in Bermuda, until now.
Using citizen science, photographs, on-water observations and the combination of morphological and genetic data, researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and collaborators are the first to provide evidence that the Atlantic cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) has recently made a new home in Bermuda.
Read more.
Coming in June - Matt Ajemian, Ph.D., his research team and partners will be featured on an upcoming episode of Changing Seas "Eagle Rays: Soaring on Spotted Wings." To see the episode, check your local PBS affiliate program schedule or visit changingseas.tv to view online.
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Remembering M. Dennis Hanisak
M. Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D., a beloved member of the FAU Harbor Branch research faculty, passed away in May. Hanisak was a research professor, director of the Marine Ecosystems Health program, director of education at FAU Harbor Branch and principal investigator of numerous research projects. He is remembered as an eminent marine scientist, a devoted teacher and mentor, and a pioneering conservationist for the Indian River Lagoon (IRL).
Read more.
A tribute to Hanisak was also published by The Invading Sea. Read.
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A celebration of life for Dennis Hanisak will be held Sunday, June 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Johnson Education Center on the FAU Harbor Branch campus. Casual coastal and Hawaiian attire is requested. No suits. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. A livestream of the program will also be available for those who can't attend in person.
To contribute photos, stories or other remembrances, email Jim Masterson at jmaster7@fau.edu.
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Florida Atlantic: Diving Into Marine Science
For aspiring marine scientists, the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) offers a treasure trove of learning and research opportunities. And at FAU as undergraduate students, these future scientists are provided a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in this living laboratory which spans 156 miles along Florida’s East Coast.
The Semester by the Sea program was designed by researchers at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, located on a 144-acre campus in Fort Pierce bordering the IRL, one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America. The curriculum is a well-rounded, intensive experience for students interested in a career in marine science.
Read more.
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M. Dennis Hanisak Memorial Fund
To honor Dennis Hanisak’s remarkable legacy at FAU Harbor Branch, a memorial fund has been established to support Semester by the Sea, a premier marine science education program founded by Hanisak over 20 years ago. To leave a gift in his memory and support a program he was truly passionate about, donate here.
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Queen Conch in the Caribbean
Megan Davis, Ph.D. and partners at the Naguabo Aquaculture Center in Puerto Rico recently hosted chief fisheries officers from Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. During the visit, the officials were provided an overview of establishing and managing a queen conch hatchery aquaculture facility. The visiting group was comprised of members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, which is currently executing a 10-year strategy for food and agricultural sustainability.
Read more.
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Fin of the Month: Chopper (CHOP)
Meet CHOP, also known as Chopper, who was first identified by FAU Harbor Branch's Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment (MMSPA) team in March 2021. CHOP has been spotted by the MMSPA team on surveys from the Sebastian Inlet to the St. Lucie Inlet, including the St. Lucie forks area. CHOP has also been sighted inside and outside the FAU Harbor Branch channel.
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Can you spot the similarities between these photos? The image on the right was submitted by one of the Dolphin Spotter citizen scientists. His land-based photo was successfully matched to the MMSPA team's photo-identification catalog (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01), pictured on the left. The MMSPA team uses the unique markings on dorsal fins to identify individual dolphins, much like how people are identified using fingerprints.
These land-based photos, from places such as canals behind residences and marinas, help to fill survey gaps, giving the MMSPA team a better understanding of the home ranges of local dolphins living in the Indian River Lagoon. So far Dolphin Spotters have contributed over 400 sightings, stretching from New Smyrna to Stuart and even as far west as St. Petersburg. All sightings can be viewed on an interactive map.
Remember to always stay 50 yards away from dolphins. If a marine mammal is spotted in distress, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission hotline 888-404-3922.
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Becoming a citizen scientist with FAU Harbor Branch is easy. Capture photos of dolphins while you're standing on the shore, then visit our website to get started. Register today.
All citizen scientist land-based photos have been submitted through the FAU Harbor Branch Dolphin Spotter project in accordance with the program’s guidelines and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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Photo ID work is permitted under NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01 and stranding response is conducted under a Stranding Agreement with NMFS and FAU Harbor Branch under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. | |
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Welcome Summer Interns
FAU Harbor Branch welcomed 16 summer undergraduate interns. For 10 weeks, they will work in labs throughout the Institute, contributing to research in aquaculture, ocean engineering, marine biomedical and biotechnology, fisheries ecology, oceanography, outreach and education, and more.
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Research Poster Award
Jasmine Perez Borja, an undergraduate researcher at FAU Harbor Branch, recently won first place for her poster presentation at the annual Life Sciences South Florida (LSSF) Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Borja’s project, “Effects of Black Soldier Fly Protein on Histomorphology of Intestine and Liver in Juvenile Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus),” focused on understanding the effects of including insect protein in red drum feeds to optimize feed formulation, production and fish health status.
Read more.
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Eco-art Exhibit
See Sunny, Squishy, Bubbles, Pride, Bruce and their eco-art friends on display through June 27 at the Emerson Center in Vero Beach. The ocean-themed sculptures were created using trash collected by students from shorelines throughout the Treasure Coast. "Keep the Sea Free of Debris" was a partnership between FAU Harbor Branch, Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County, Oxbow Eco-Center and St. Lucie County. The sculptures are now part of the "World of Away Eco-Art Experience" traveling art exhibit curated by the Oxbow Eco-Center.
Learn more.
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Jelly Press and FAU Harbor Branch
The FAU Harbor Branch outreach team collaborated with the illustration company Jelly Press to create an exciting design inspired by the "Discovery" Indian River Lagoon boat tours. Visitors to FAU Harbor Branch can purchase T-shirts, stickers and postcards with the Jelly Press design at the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center or online.
Shop.
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2024 International Ocean Film Festival: Florida Tour
Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets: $25
Join FAU Harbor Branch for World Ocean Day. The daylong celebration features the International Ocean Film Festival: Florida Tour with morning and afternoon screenings of seven original ocean-inspired films. Festivities also include meet-and-greets with FAU Harbor Branch scientists, an environment-themed exhibitors' showcase, the life-sized inflatable humpback whale exhibit and food trucks.
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Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch's outreach team travels to events throughout Florida with hands-on marine science educational exhibits and activities. All events listed are free and open to the public. | |
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Science on Tap
Preserving Ocean Life: The Vital Role of Marine Wildlife Medicine
Annie Page, DVM, Ph.D.
Thursday, June 20, 7 p.m.
Nobo Brewing Company
Boynton Beach
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Subscribe to Ocean Currents
Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Website
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