Attendees at the Coral Genomics Workshop

OC Associate Professor Joe Lopez, Ph.D., served as one of the instructors, and OC doctoral student, Vince Richards, was one of the 20 invited attendees. Attendees represented numerous countries ranging from Tanzania, Mauritius, Malaysia, and Columbia as well as the U.S. from Maryland to Hawaii.

The purpose of the workshop was to convey the tools and discuss the benefits surrounding the new field of genomics and its technologies in the context of coral reef biology. Further information can be found at the NCRI website and at www.musc.edu/mbes/genomics/.

This was the first joint-venture workshop of this type to be held, and other similar workshops are scheduled for late 2009 and 2010.

NSU scientists Dr. Sam Purkis (left) and Shanna Dunn present the satellite maps of the Andavadoaka region.

Dr. Sam Purkis (right) sits with NSU graduate Vola Ramahery atop a traditional fishing canoe. The craft is named the 'Volanirina' in recognition of the conservation work conducted by Vola, who now heads the marine affairs unit of the World Wildlife Fund in SE Madagascar.

In collaboration with Blue Ventures, a British non-governmental organization dedicated to marine conservation in Madagascar, NSU Oceanographic Center assistant professor and NCRI researcher Sam Purkis, Ph.D., conducted fieldwork in the waters of Andavadoaka, an isolated village in the southwest of the country. These data were used to create a region-wide map of the coastal zone using high-resolution satellite data. NSU OC research scientist and graduate student Shanna Dunn led the mapping component of the project.

This work is a precursor to the development of the 'Velondriake' community-managed protected area network. Protection from this effort will encompass pristine terrestrial and marine habitats, including vast tracts of coral reef.

Purkis was joined in the field by a team of researchers from the World Wildlife Fund led by NSU alumna, Volanirina (Vola) Ramahery, who attended the NSU OC supported by a Fulbright Scholarship between 2004 and 2006. Ramahery has now returned to her native Madagascar and heads marine affairs for WWF in the region from her base in the coastal town of Toliara.

In addition to the J. P. Getty award, the project's success has led the government of Madagascar to use it as a model to create similar protected areas across the country. The coral reef off the southwest coast of Madagascar is the third largest in the world and the NCRI looks forward to contributing further to its critical preservation.

Richard Dodge, Ph.D., (center) accepts his award from the USCRTF from USCRTF co-chairs Lyle Laverty (left), assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior, and Tim Keeney, deputy assistant secretary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Bernhard Riegl, Ph.D., NSU NCRI associate director (far left), and Richard Dodge, NSU Oceanographic Center dean and NCRI executive director (far right), with the Governor Felix Camacho of Guam (middle left) and Governor Sebastian Anefal of the State of Yap.

Celebrating its first 10 years, the USCRTF recognized Dodge’s participation and contributions in all but one of the 20 meetings of the Task Force and his leadership of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, which he spearheaded in Ft. Lauderdale in July 2008. As part of the “USCRTF Member and Partner Initiative Updates”, Dodge presented “International Coral Reef Symposium: Science to Management” on Aug. 29 to the USCRTF.

Dodge, along with NCRI Associate Director Bernhard Riegl, Ph.D., and Wendy Wood, NCRI administrative coordinator, also participated in the Aug. 22 “Managers’ Workshop with Scientists: Increasing Science in the Management of Coral Reef Ecosystems” where Dr. Dodge presented on NCRI’s research partnerships with local coral reef management bodies including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Broward County, and Port Everglades.

The USCRTF was established in 1998 by Presidential Executive Order to lead U.S. efforts to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. The USCRTF includes leaders of 12 federal agencies, seven U.S. States, Territories, Commonwealths, and three Freely Associated States. The USCRTF helps build partnerships, strategies, and support for on-the-ground action to conserve coral reefs.

Sam Purkis, Ph.D., (right) visited with the H.R.H. Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, the General President of Meteorology and Environment Protection.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia borders the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, both of which harbor rich coral habitat. Of particular interest is that large swaths of the Saudi Red Sea coastline are undeveloped, particularly away from the central towns of Jeddah and Yanbu. There exists an urgent need to survey these remote areas so as to provide a baseline against which future changes can be gauged. This is pertinent considering how rapidly neighboring countries have been developing their coastal zones. The work would extend NCRI’s experience in the region, which already includes ongoing projects in the southeastern Gulf and Red Sea, the latter as part of a four-year collaboration with the Khalid bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation.

During his visit, Purkis had the opportunity to meet and explain NCRI’s work to H.R.H. Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, the General President of Meteorology and Environment Protection. Follow up trips to the Kingdom are planned in 2009 as the project matures.

Congressional staff and aides and representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, NOAA and Broward County with NCRI Executive Director and NSU Oceanographic Center dean Richard Dodge, Ph.D. (second from left, standing) and NCRI Administrative Coordinator Wendy Wood (middle seated).

The trip offered a unique opportunity for Congressional staff to experience the suite of efforts conducted in the area to understand, conserve, and sustain these complex and sensitive marine ecosystems. Over the course of the tour, participants met with NCRI researchers and Florida Department of Environmental Protection staff to learn about resource management challenges and successes in the region. NCRI Executive Director and Oceanographic Center Dean Richard Dodge, Ph.D., presented an overview of NCRI and the outcomes of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium.

Staff members included representation of the Senate Commerce Committee majority and minority, House Resources Committee majority, House Science Committee majority and minority, Senate Appropriations Committee and personal staff of Senators Richard Shelby and Thad Cochran. The trip will raise visibility for NCRI’s conservation efforts in Florida and reinforce the urgency for reauthorization of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. After departing Ft. Lauderdale, the aides continued south to Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas.

From left: Dr. Rich Appeldorn, executive director of the Climate Change Research Initiative; George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., NSU executive vice president and chief operating officer; Richard Dodge, Ph.D., chairperson of the 11th ICRS Local Organizing Committee, executive director of the National Coral Reef Institute and dean of the NSU Oceanographic Center; U.S. Representative Ron Klein (D-Fl, Dist. 22).

Dodge is the chairman of the U.S. host committee and organized the symposium. Dr. Hanbury also addressed the convention, highlighting the importance of ocean conservation and NSU’s role as a leader in science education in South Florida.

Following his remarks, Congressman Klein held a press conference to present a check representing 2008 funding from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration for the National Coral Reef Institute at NSU’s Oceanographic Center. He also discussed the importance of coral reefs to South Florida’s ocean ecosystems, beaches and economy, noting that Florida is home to 84 percent of the coral reef habitat in U.S. waters and that Florida reefs support $5.7 billion in direct annual economic activity and 74,000 jobs in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties.

Congressman Klein worked together with U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and U.S. representatives from Puerto Rico to secure the NOAA funding, which will support coral reef research and management efforts at the National Coral Reef Institute and the Caribbean Coral Reef Institute at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez. Dr. Richard Appeldorn, executive director of the Caribbean Coral Reef Institute, was present to accept funding on behalf of the University of Puerto Rico and to stress the importance of collaborative efforts to address alarming rates of recent coral die offs in the Caribbean and Florida. The check in the amount of $1,110,000 represents NOAA’s 2008 funding for NCRI of $760,000 and $350,000 for the Caribbean Coral Reef Institute. The two institutes collaborate on research examining the stress on coral reef ecosystems and improving mitigation and management activities.

Faculty, staff and students from the Oceanographic Center took part in the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist (seated) at the International Coral Reef Symposium with (from left) Senator Burt L. Saunders (R-Fl, 37th District); Michael W. Sole, secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Richard Dodge, Ph.D., chairperson of the 11th ICRS Local Organizing Committee, executive director of the National Coral Reef Institute and dean of the NSU Oceanographic Center; and Jonathan Saunders.

From left: George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., NSU executive vice president/COO; Timothy R.E. Keeney, deputy assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere, NOAA; Kameron Onley, acting assistant interior secretary for water and science, U.S. Department of the Interior; Michael W. Sole, secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Richard Dodge, Ph.D., NSU Oceanographic Center dean and executive director of the National Coral Reef Institute.

The 11th ICRS was the largest ICRS in history, with over 3,500 people attending the scientific sessions and coral reef Education Center. The ICRS is the largest scientific meeting on coral reefs in the world and takes place every four years. Past host locations include Okinawa, Japan and Bali, Indonesia. This was the first time the conference has been held in the continental United States in over 30 years. The participants came from over 75 countries and included coral reef scientists, managers, policy makers, students and conservationists.

NSU served as an official sponsor of the 11th ICRS, with NSU Executive Vice President/COO George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., speaking at the Opening Ceremonies. NCRI researchers were also well represented, with 11 oral presentations and 29 poster presentations.

Coral Reefs of the USA editors Bernhard Riegl (left) and Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D.

Riegl and Dodge serve as editors of the book, which provides a complete overview of the present status of knowledge regarding all coral reef areas within the U.S. and its territories. It is written by the most experienced authorities in their fields and geographic areas. Stretching from the Caribbean to the western Pacific, the coral reefs of the U.S. span extensive geographic and biotic diversity in a wide variety of geomorphological settings and provide a representative cross-section of Holocene reef-building.

The book is of broad interest to reef scientists, managers, and conservationists. For the first time, complete scholarly reviews are given for the geology, geomorphology, and the biology of reefs encompassing a vast area stretching from the Mariana Islands in the west, Samoa in the south, Hawaii in the north, and the Virgin Islands in the east. This book provides up-to-date information about stressors and the biotic responses of the reefs, as well as the geological explanations why these reefs exist in the first place. It represents a baseline-reference for all those who are engaged in research or management of these coral reefs or to those who simply enjoy being well-informed about one of the most iconic ecosystems of the U.S.

Coral Reefs of the USA, written by 145 authors, all experienced authorities in their fields, is the first complete compilation of geology and biology information for all US coral reefs. The book is richly illustrated and contains much information that has never been published before. There is also an extensive literature list that is useful as a guide to further study on coral reefs.

Sam Purkis, Ph.D., stands in front of one of the largest remaining stands of the unique baobab tree.

NSU Oceanographic Center graduate Vola Ramahery stands next to a traditional Madagascan fishing canoe named the ‘Volanirina’ in recognition of her outstanding conservation work in the area.

Purkis was funded and supported by Blue Ventures, an award-winning British non-governmental organization dedicated to marine conservation in Madagascar and a key proponent of the Velondriake network.

Purkis was joined in the field by a team of researchers from the World Wildlife Fund led by NSU graduate Volanirina (Vola) Ramahery, who attended the NSU Oceanographic Center with the support of a Fulbright Scholarship between 2004 and 2006. Vola has now returned to her native Madagascar and heads marine affairs for WWF in the region from her base in the coastal town of Toliara. She makes frequent forays to the isolated villages of the region to conduct social and marine monitoring projects.

Dan Rather interviews Richard Dodge, Ph.D., Dean of Oceanographic Center.

(L to R) Ph.D. candidate Abby Renegar, Dan Rather, researcher Dr. Alison Moulding and Dr. Dodge.

In researching for a story on the fate of coral reefs, Rather and his staff learned of the coral reef research being done by scientists of the NSU National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) and of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium (coming to Fort Lauderdale in 2008) that NCRI is helping organize.

Rather extensively interviewed OC Dean Richard Dodge, Ph.D. who is also Executive Director of the National Coral Reef Institute.

During his visit, Rather was informed of one of the NSU NCRI coral reproduction/restoration projects taking place. He was shown maps of the coastline and how close the reefs are to Port Everglades. Dr. Dodge explained that due to the poor placement of the anchorage sites, ships have drifted into the reefs causing groundings that destroy the coral.

Orange egg clusters floating on the water surface after spawning of a Montastraea cavernosa colony in an aquarium.

The purpose is to provide information to managers to help them reduce human impacts during the critical coral spawning window. Modification of the type or timing of activities that introduce nutrients, toxic chemicals, and suspended particles may lead to enhanced fertilization and coral recruitment success. For many of the main reef-building species, information on coral spawning times is known and can be predicted. However, in most locations this information has not been widely available or previously considered during planning and implementation of human activities. Compilation of this information by species and by region will give managers the information they need to help protect corals during a sensitive phase of their life history.

A link to the article can be found at here.

Sam Purkis participated in classroom training session at the Environmental Agency of Abu Dhabi.

Bernard Riegl (far left) with Dubai team.

Scientists provided status overviews of the coral reef resources in their countries, and NCRI scientists demonstrated the findings of the two-year joint capacity-building project between NCRI and the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi. A model for the forecasting of coral community state in regenerating reefs was developed, as well as detailed maps of the location and status of Arabian Gulf coral communities.

NCRI Executive Director and NSU OC Dean Dr. Richard Dodge accepting the "Protect Our Reefs" award from Dr. David Vaughn of Mote Marine Laboratory in Key West, February 11th 2006. coral.

NCRI administrative assistant Adrienne Carter compiles media kits to accompany NCRI scientists on their next trip. coral.

Each organization was limited to two submissions among the four categories. Bahamas Fisheries won for Best Overall, and winners in the other three categories were Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Consultores Educativos Ambientales from Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands Network of Environmental Educators.

Hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coral Conservation Program, the friendly competition was a networking exercise designed to facilitate the sharing of ideas among the three dozen agency and organization representatives in the workshop.

Facilitated by Environmental Systems Solutions and Conservation International the main topics covered in the two-day workshop included assessment, planning, and design for outreach and education; target audiences; translating science and research for coral reef users and non-technical audiences; improving the connectivity of coral reach outreach and enforcement; monitoring and evaluation for outreach and education; and an “open space” forum.

Lauren Schuman, Oceanographic Center master's student research assistant, takes quad samples of Broward County coral.

NCRI scientists Dr. Bernardo Vargas and Dr. David Gilliam have developed a unique method of assessing stress levels to reef building corals. Their methods are being applied to help protect reefs and corals during the recent beach renourishment project throughout Broward County.

The technique was first developed in the laboratory using a series of experiments where sediment was layered onto collected reef corals. The reactions of the corals were closely observed over time and included swelling, bleaching, mucous production, and eventually even death. An index of stress was developed from experimental results.

Divers now apply and calibrate this index in the field with corals at over 34 fixed monitoring sites distributed over the beach renourishment areas which might influence the reefs.

If the index rises above a certain pre-established stress threshold, county officials are obligated by permit requirements to cease dredging in the area to allow for coral recovery.

The stress index is valuable to marine managers in coral reef areas as a way to protect and conserve precious coral reef resources.

NCRI diver studying newly discovered large Broward coral	Kevin Helmle, doctoral graduate student, rinses core samples from large Broward coral

In coordination with NOAA, NSU scientists have taken a core sample from the skeleton of this coral. X-radiographs of the core reveal growth banding, similar to the rings in tree trunks. Analysis of growth bands indicates the coral is well over 300 years old, making it the oldest animal in Southeast Florida.

NCRI intends to further analyze this large coral skeleton for valuable data on past history of climate and environmental change. Preliminary work suggests the major drainage of the Everglades in Broward from the 1940’s to 1970’s may have caused depressed growth in this coral.

NSUOC graduate student Adrienne Carter taking in situ spectral measurements using a DiveSpec (Underwater Reflectance/Fluorescence Spectroradiometer) loaned by Dr. Charles Mazel, Physical Sciences Inc.

(L to R: Back Row): Mrs. Grady Tuell (Optech Accountant), Dr. Bernhard Riegl, NSUOC, Dr. Richard Dodge, Dean, NSUOC, NSUOC graduate students Joanna Walzcak, Kristi Foster, Greg Foster, Dr. Grady Tuell, Managing Director, Optech International, Inc., Joe the Mechanic, Optech, Int. (Front Row) NSUOC graduate students Luz Raquel Hernández-Cruz, Adrienne Carter, Lydia Tuell, Linda Knoeck, and Grady Tuell’s two sons.

Optech learned of the NSU National Coral Reef Institute's expertise in coral reef characterization and mapping through discussions with researcher Dr. Sam Purkis following his presentation at a recent scientific conference in Nova Scotia. Dr. Grady Tuell, Ph.D., Managing Director, Optech International, Inc., subsequently visited NSU for discussions with NSU’s Dr. Purkis as well as Drs. Bernhard Riegl and Richard Dodge (NCRI Directors) to initiate a collaborative partnership for the upcoming test of the Optech fusion system.

In early June, Optech conducted calibration experiments of its upgrade to the Compact Hydrographic Airborne Rapid Total Survey (CHARTS) system by integrating a passive spectral imager with the LIDAR while simultaneously acquiring laser, camera, and hyperspectral data. NSU NCRI scientist Sam Purkis, and graduate students Adrienne Carter, Kristi Foster, and Greg Foster provided underwater ground optical validation via SCUBA diving at selected targets and collecting reflectance measurements using a submerged spectroradiomter. The optical data acquired by the NSU team will be used to calibrate the instruments of the over flying aircraft and will be pivotal to the proof-of-concept study. Further joint work on sea bed mapping and characterization is envisioned as well as a number of scientific publications.

La Plaza del Obradoiro (from "Obra de Oro" [work of gold]), with the Cathedral of Santiago de Compestela, started in 1075 AD	NSU OC / NCRI scientists with conference session co-chairs: (top row, L to R) Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D.; Richard E. Speiler, Ph.D.; Samuel J. Purkis, Ph.D.; and Michael J. Dowgiallo, Ph.D. (NOAA); (Bottom row, L to R) Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D.; Bernhard M. Riegl, Ph.D.; and Felix A. Martinez, Ph.D. (NOAA).

• NSU OC Associate Professor and NCRI Associate Director Bernhard M. Riegl, Ph.D., presented on “ The NCRI Monitoring Network : Multi-Dimensional and Multidisciplinary Reef Assessment on a Worldwide Scale,” co-authored by Samuel J. Purkis, Ph.D., Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D., Bernardo Vargas-Ángel, Ph.D., and Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D.

• NSU OC and NCRI Research Scientist Bernardo Vargas-Ángel, Ph.D., presented: “Higher Resolution, Multi-Layered Approach to Assessing Sedimentation Stress in Reef Corals,” co-authored by Bernhard M. Riegl, Ph.D., Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D., P. Blackwelder, Ph.D. (NSU OC), T. Snell, Ph.D. (Georgia Institute of Technology), David S. Gilliam, Ph.D., L. Fisher (Broward County Environmental Protection Department), Erin C. Hodel, graduate student, and D. Abigail Renegar, M.Sc.

• NSU OC Associate Professor and NCRI Research Scientist and Director of the Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI) Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D., presented “Reproductive Dispersal Strategy and Genetic Connectivity in Commensal, Sponge-Dwelling, Coral Reef Invertebrates,” co-authored by Vincent P. Richards, graduate student, and J.D. Thomas, Ph.D.

• NSU OC and NCRI Research Scientist Samuel J. Purkis, Ph.D., presented “Spatial Patterns in Coral Communities as an Indication of Ecosystem Status,” co-authored by Bernhard M. Riegl, Ph.D., and Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D.

• NSU OC Dean and NCRI Executive Director Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D., presented “ Science, Management, and Conservation Gaps and Opportunities: Coral Reef Injuries Resulting from a Large-Ship Anchorage,” co-authored by Walter C. Jaap, Ph.D. (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), K. Banks (Broward County Environmental Protection Department), David S. Gilliam, Ph.D., Brian K. Walker, M.Sc./Ph.D. candidate, and Richard Shaul, (Sea Byte, Inc.).

• NSU OC Professor and NCRI Research Scientist Richard E. Spieler, Ph.D., presented “Mitigation of a S.E. Florida (U.S.A.) Coral Reef Damaged by the Grounding of a Nuclear Submarine; Results of a Hypotheses-Based, Multivariate Restoration Study,” co-authored by T. Patrick Quinn, M.Sc./Ph.D. candidate, Elizabeth G. Fahy, M.Sc., and Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D.

Three Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center (NSU OC) and National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) scientists and three NSU OC graduate students made seven presentations at the 32nd Scientific Meeting of the Association of Marine Labs of the Caribbean (AMLC) in Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, June 13-17. Venue for the meeting was the Curaçao Sea Aquarium.

(L to R, back row), NSU Oceanographic Center and NSU National Coral Reef Institute personnel: Senior Programmer Kevin E. Kohler, M.Sc.; Research Scientist David S. Gilliam, Ph.D.; Luz Raquel Hernández-Cruz, graduate student; Brian K. Walker, M.Sc./Ph.D. graduate student ; and Vince P. Richards, graduate student; (front row) NCRI Associate Director Bernhard M. Riegl, Ph.D.

• NCRI Associate Director and NSU OC Associate Professor Bernhard M. Riegl, Ph.D., gave two oral presentations, first “Geomorphology of the Southeast Florida Reef Tract (Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties), USA,” co-authored by K. Banks and Werner Piller, Ph.D. (Karl-Franzens University Graz), and Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D., NCRI Executive Director and NSU OC Dean, in the session “Remote Sensing and GIS”; and then “The NCRIMonitoring Network: Multi-Layered Reef Assessment on a Caribbean-Wide Scale,” co-authored by Samuel J. Purkis, Ph.D., Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D., Bernardo Vargas-Ángel, Ph.D., and Mahmood Shivji, Ph.D., in the session “NOAA Applied Research.”

• NCRI & NSU OC Research Scientist David S. Gilliam, Ph.D., gave the oral presentation “Coral Transplantation Effectiveness for Reef Restoration and Impact Mitigation Off Southeast Florida, USA,” co-authored by W.C. Jaap, Ph.D. (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D., Brian D. Ettinger, M.Sc., Daniel P. Fahy, graduate student, Elizabeth G. Fahy, M.Sc., and Shaun M. Gill, Jamie A. Monty, and Lauren F. Shuman, graduate students, in the session “Environmental Restoration.”

• Graduate student Vince P. Richards gave the oral presentation “Reproductive Dispersal Strategy, Genetic Connectivity and Biodiversity in Commensal, Sponge Dwelling, Coral Reef Invertebrates,” co-authored by NSU OC faculty J.D. Thomas, Ph.D., and M. Shivji, Ph.D., in the session “Regional Ecological Connectivity.” Graduate student Luz Raquel Hernández-Cruz gave the oral presentation “Synergy of Multiple Sensors as an Assessment Tool for Monitoring the Status of Acropora palmata (Elkhorn Coral) in Vieques Island, Puerto Rico,” co-authored by Samuel J. Purkis, Ph.D., Bernhard M. Riegl, Ph.D., and Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D., in the session “Remote Sensing and GIS.” Also in the same session, Ph.D. candidate Brian K. Walker gave the oral presentation “Mapping Coral Reefs of Southeast Florida , USA,” co-authored by Bernhard M. Riegl, Ph.D., and Richard E. Dodge, Ph.D. Kevin E. Kohler, M.Sc., Senior Programmer at NSU OC, presented the poster “Coral Point Count with Excel Extensions (CPCe ): A Windows-Based Program for the Analysis of Coral and Substrate Coverage Using the Random Point Count Method,” co-authored by Shaun M. Gill, graduate student.

Georges Weatherly, Ph.D., Professor from Florida State University and Dean Richard Dodge, Ph.D. Dean of NSUOC, at the Florida COOS Caucus. Dr. Weatherly is a noted oceanographer and one of the first 17 graduates of NSU. Ph.D.

• Detecting and forecasting oceanic components of climate variability
• Facilitating safe and efficient marine operations
• Ensuring national security
• Managing resources for sustainable use
• Preserving and restoring healthy marine ecosystems
• Mitigating natural hazards
• Ensuring public health.

(Center) Tom Gustafson, J.D. from the NSU Institute of Government and Public Policy facilitated the meeting at NSU Orlando SEC of the Florida Coastal Ocean Observing System Caucus. NSU Oceanographic Center hosted this meeting with attendees Dean Richard Dodge and Professors Alex Soloviev and Sasha Yankovsky. Attendees included a variety of Florida scientists and managers (shown above) from federal/state agencies, industry, and academic institutions.

(L to R) Bernhard Riegl, Ph.D. (NSUOC), Sam Purkis, Ph.D. (NSUOC), Grady Tuell, Ph.D. (Managing Director Optech Int.), Richard Dodge, Ph.D. (Dean NSUOC) and Brian Walker (NSUOC).

(Back row, left to right) : Dr. Richard E. Dodge (NSU OC & Restoration Working Group), Dr. Richard Spieler (NSU OC), Dr Eugene Rosenberg (Tel Aviv University, Israel & Disease Working Group), Pat Quinn, Ph.D. student (NSUOC). (Seated, left to right) : Dr. Robert vanWoesik (FIT * Bleaching Working Group), Dr. Eric Jordán Dahlgren, (Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology –ICML- of the National Autonomous University of Mexico – UNAM & Disease Working Group), Dr. Drew Harvel , Cornell University & Chair of the Disease Working Group, Dr. Roberto Iglesias Prieto, ICML, - UNAM & Bleaching Working Group).

(Photo) Graduate students Jennifer Magnussen (left) and Debra Abercrombie (right) stand with their professor, Mahmood Shivji, in front of bins of shark parts.

(L to R) NCRI Research Assistants Jamie Monty, Adrienne Carter, Lauren Shuman, Luz Raquel Hern\341ndez-Cruz, and Joann a Walczak in front of the AQUARIUS Life Support Buoy located 4.5km off of Key Largo. The Life Support Buoy is linked to AQUARIUS by a 45 meter long umbilical that supplies air, power, and communication cables.

Owned by NOAA and managed by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW), the AQUARIUS habitat is an 82-ton double-lock pressure vessel approximately 14 meters long by 4 meters in diameter.

(L to R) soundman Vance of Liquid Imaging, producer Benno Wenz of WTS Mixed Media, cameraman D.J. of Liquid Imaging, and NCRI research assistant Abby Renegar, who demonstrated coral stress index experiments to the film crew

Representatives from NSU's National Coral Reef Institute ( NCRI ) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR) take a break from deliberations. Left to Right: Dr. Mike Dowgiallo, NOAA NOS CSCOR Program Manager; Dr. Bernhard Riegl, NSU NCRI Associate Director; David Hilmer, NOAA NOS CSCOR Associate Program Manager; Dr. Rob Magnien, Director NOAA NOS CSCOR; Dr. Richard Dodge, Dean NSU OC and Executive Director NCRI; Dr. Felix Martinez, NOAA NOS CSCOR.

NSU's National Coral Reef Institute ( NCRI ) at the Oceanographic Center in Dania Beach served as host to the third NOAA Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR) Coral Reef Program Review Meeting, March 22-25. Convened by NOAA's National Ocean Service CSCOR program officials, this annual event allows scientists to share information and review the activities of the three major coral reef research institutes-the Caribbean Coral Reef Institute (Puerto Rico), the Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative (Hawaii), and NSU's National Coral Reef Institute (Florida). During the meeting, two Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies programs in the Caribbean and Micronesia were also examined.

Executive director of NCRI and dean of the Oceanographic Center, Richard Dodge, Ph.D., welcomed meeting attendees. NCRI 's coral reef projects were highlighted throughout the day on March 22. Research results and progress within the topics of assessment, monitoring, and restoration were presented to those assembled. NCRI 's reef-mapping activities were mentioned, along with outcomes of local, regional, and global monitoring work. A selection of NCRI -developed software was demonstrated. This software aids scientists and managers in processing information about coral reefs. Reports on reef restoration projects emphasized the need to develop scientifically sound means to rehabilitate injured reef ecosystems. Award-winning scientific posters that described NCRI work in depth were on display. NOAA and NCRI personnel also had the opportunity to participate in scuba dives at several NCRI reef research sites in the area.

On March 23 and 24, a variety of science and program presentations were made by NOAA and related programs. The meeting concluded with in-depth discussions on optimal directions for coral reef science in order to facilitate improved management of coral reef ecosystems.

Representatives from NSU and the National Coral Reef Institute at NSU's Oceanographic Center who spoke during the meeting included Richard Dodge, Bernhard Riegl, David Gilliam, Richard Spieler, Mahmood Shivji, Carol Fretwell, Kevin Kohler, and Kevin Helmle.

Kevin Kohler, Director of the NSU Oceanographic Center's Computing Center and Dr. Dick Dodge, Dean of the OC, discuss salient features of their Habitat Equivalency Analysis software. They made recent presentations to a workshop of the US Coral Reef Task force at their Dec, 2004 meeting in Miami and also to participants of the Ecosystem Restoration conference in Orlando.

(L-R) Abby Renegar, NCRI research assistant; Lauri MacLAughlin, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary; Bernardo Vargas-Ángel, Ph.D., NCRI research scientist and main speaker; and Sharon Niemczyk, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, discuss the seminar.

(L-R) Bernardo Vargas-Ángel, Ph.D. (NSU's NCRI); Eric Meyers, Stephen Higgins, Lou Fisher, and Ken Banks (BC DEP); and David S. Gilliam, Ph.D. (NSU's NCRI).