ENVIRONMENTAL
Florida Aquarium replenishing Keys coral
Biologists and divers from The Florida Aquarium are releasing more than 3,000 staghorn coral offspring into the waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The effort is in response to the multi-year outbreak of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease.
Staghorn coral doesn’t suffer from the illness, but the techniques used at The Florida Aquarium to raise young corals from eggs and sperm will be applied in the future to species that are heavily affected by the disease.
“Using corals that were rescued before the disease hit as the parents, we will be able to create a supportive breeding program for disease-affected species where thousands of corals can be produced and re-introduced to the Florida Reef Tract when the time is right,” said Keri O’Neil, senior coral scientist for The Florida Aquarium. “We are working closely with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) and NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service to rescue as many corals as possible, to serve as the parents for future generations of corals once the disease has passed.”
Tampa Bay Watch Seeks Summer Camp Interns
Estuary EDventures program is seeking college interns to help out during summer camp programs for local kids 6-15. Estuary EDventures Summer Camp offers weekly, fun-filled, hands-on learning adventures focused on marine ecology. Activities include boating and snorkeling trips, kayaking, species collection, science labs, and marine-themed games and activities.
Interns assist in the operation, facilitation, and participation in the day-to-day summer camp activities and aquarium maintenance. For more information and to apply click to http://www.tampabaywatch.org/internships.html
Help Tampa Bay Watch protect what’s below the water’s surface
Every day, thanks to an inspiring network of volunteers, members, corporate partners, students and beyond, Tampa Bay Watch is making significant strides toward building a better bay.
In 2018 the nonprofit installed 12,602 square feet of oyster shell bar, retrieved 7,739 pounds of debris, and planted 11,760 native plants. Gifts to Tampa Bay Watch’s Restoration Campaign make more programs like this possible. For more information visit https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/TampaBayWatch/restoration2019.html
Tampa Bay Watch’s Castaway Soirée ain’t no Gilligan’s Island picnic
Winners of the Tarpon Rodeo on May 31 will be announced at the Castaway Soirée on June 1 at Tradewinds Island Resort Pavilion, 5500 Gulf Blvd in St. Pete Beach.
Tickets for the Soirée are now available and participation is easier than ever. With the help of GiveSmart, attendees can check-in early, add guests to their table, and preview the auction as it develops. Tampa Bay Watch members get $10 off individual tickets. Contact Michelle Andersen at mandersen@tampabaywatch.org for your membership discount code. Last year’s tournament and soirée, which raised over $85,000, was sold out so visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/cC6 to secure your tickets now.