Florida Sea Grant
The Florida Sea Grant College Program supports research and education activities that help Florida's shoreline communities, industries and citizens wisely use the state's coastal and marine resources.
Source: Florida Sea Grant Marine Extension
Editorial Team
- Maia McGuire - Editor, Chair, Approver
- Susan Gildersleeve - ICS Editor
- Sherry Larkin - Chair
- Donielle Nardi - Assistant
- Roberto Ferrer - Assistant
RECENT & REVISED PUBLICATIONS
Cellular Agriculture for Production of Cell-Based Seafood: Part 3— Regulatory Framework in the United States and Food Safety Considerations
FS456/FSHN24-1by Rose Omidvar and Razieh FarzadAugust 12, 2024In this EDIS publication, we provide information on the current regulatory framework for cell-based seafood production in the United States, food safety considerations, and the path forward for cell-based seafood products to get approved for selling in the marketplace. Additionally, drawing on the available science-based risk analysis methods for seafood production such as Hazards Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), we provided a simple hazard analysis to identify the potential seafood hazards that can potentially compromise the safety of cell-based seafood products.Critical Issue: Nutrition, Health and Food Safety
The Coral Holobiont: A Brief Overview of Corals and Their Microbiome
SS733/SL520by Monica D. Schul, Ashley R. Smyth, Joshua T. Patterson, Ana N. Zangroniz, Shelly L. Krueger, and Julie L. MeyerAugust 6, 2024Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic reefs have declined drastically since the 1970s. In some locales like the Florida Keys, the decline of branching corals approached 98%. These declines are widely attributed to recurring stressors such as high ocean temperatures and disease. The preservation and restoration of reefs is imperative as coral reefs support 25% of the world's known marine species and create billions of dollars in economic value. However, current restoration efforts have low success rates, so researchers are looking to better understand how stony corals respond to and overcome these stressors. Pioneering efforts to elucidate the role of the coral microbiome have shown that microbes are an important component for stony coral health, nutrition, and disease defense. This publication is for various natural resource professionals who want information on corals, microbiomes, and how coral microbial ecology research is pushing our knowledge of corals and restoration forward. Critical Issue: 3. Natural Resources and Environmental Quality
Ocean Acidification: Effects on Sponges
FA263/FA263by Lena A. Donnarumma, Joseph Henry, Joshua Patterson, Shelly Krueger, Lisa Krimsky, and Shirley BakerJune 13, 2024Approximately 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere has been absorbed by the world’s oceans. As CO2 emissions increase due to human activities so does the amount of CO2 absorbed by the oceans. Carbon dioxide lowers the pH of the ocean system, causing ocean acidification (OA). The effects of OA on economically and ecologically important aquatic species is a subject of interest. Sponges are important reef-associated species that provide shelter for fish and crustaceans in reef habitats and can also structure ecosystems through bioerosion, water filtration, and colonization of coral reef areas. This publication considers the effects of OA on marine sponges, with a focus on Florida’s coral reef. Critical Issue: 3. Natural Resources and Environmental Quality
Let ‘Em Grow: Scalloping Best Practices
FA262/FA262by Brittany Hall-Scharf and Victor BlancoMay 21, 2024Recreational scalloping is a popular summertime activity that attracts participants from far and wide to Florida's Gulf Coast. Coastal counties that serve as vessel launch points rely on this fishery for economic viability, but the biology of the bay scallop and the environmental stressors this species endures have led to limited populations of bay scallops remaining along Florida's Gulf Coast . Therefore, it is essential to implement best practices for harvesting bay scallops so that future generations can enjoy this marine resource activity. This publication gives recreational scallopers tips on how to sort through scallops in the water so that scallops that are too small are returned immediately to the same spot where they were taken. Improving harvesting techniques can help sustain this valuable fishery.Critical Issue: 3. Natural Resources and Environmental Quality
Living Shoreline Ecosystem Service Valuation Tool
SS729/SL516by Ashley R. Smyth, Laura K. Reynolds, Savanna C. Barry, Natalie C. Stephens, Joshua T. Patterson, and Edward V. CampMay 8, 2024Living shorelines are an increasingly popular way to protect and stabilize waterfronts for coastal property owners. Living shorelines provide valuable benefits to humans, including water quality improvement, habitat, fisheries, and carbon sequestration. Estimating the economic value of the ecosystem services living shorelines offer is an integral part of management decisions. The living shoreline valuation tool can help quantify the costs and benefits of living shorelines projects. This publication briefly describes the ecosystem services associated with living shorelines. The purpose of this publication is to introduce the ecosystem service valuation tool. Our target audience for the living shoreline evaluation tool includes natural resource extension agents, community organizations, and coastal homeowners who want to calculate the value of ecosystem services provided by coastal restoration projects, including living shorelines. Critical Issue: 3. Natural Resources and Environmental Quality
