Mote Marine Laboratory\u2019s leader shared red tide science to inform national policymakers yesterday, Sept. 27, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Mote President & CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby served as a panelist during a red tide briefing at the Capitol to provide an overview of Florida red tide, discuss Mote\u2019s current rapid response efforts to the ongoing bloom, and present a vision for the future with the exploration of new mitigation strategies and creation of an independent, Florida-based Marine and Freshwater Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Center.<\/p>\n
Ocean Conservancy and Citizens\u2019 Climate Lobby hosted the briefing, with honorary hosts U.S. senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio.<\/p>\n
After presenting an overview of the scientific understanding of Florida red tide caused by the alga\u00a0Karenia brevis, Crosby discussed the research and rapid response activities aided by recently announced State of Florida funding, including:<\/p>\n
Mote \u2014 an independent, nonprofit, marine science institution \u2014 leads innovative red tide research and shares results objectively as possible, informing federal and state legislators, resource management agency leaders, and others who make societal decisions relevant to the oceans and the communities that depend on them. Mote\u2019s research, monitoring and public information on red tide are made possible, in great part, through competitive government grants and appropriations.<\/p>\n
During the panel, Crosby thanked senators Rubio and Nelson for hosting the briefing and also recognized Congressman Vern Buchanan for his relentless attention to addressing red tide. \u201cMr. Buchanan has long been a leader and champion in fighting red tide with a strong record of legislative support for funding much-needed red tide research and mitigation efforts,\u201d stated Crosby.<\/p>\n
Jeff Watters, Director, Government Relations for Ocean Conservancy, discussed the importance of the briefing: \u201cFlorida\u2019s beaches are in need of help. It is critical that Florida\u2019s elected officials address this with urgency and alongside the people and agencies that work to make this state\u2019s waters some of the most enjoyed and visited in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crosby also presented a vision for much more that needs to be done through the creation of an independent, Florida-based, Marine and Freshwater Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Center. This innovative, five-year initiative would focus on utilizing applied science and technology development to control and mitigate impacts of red tide. If the HAB Center initiative is funded, Crosby said, \u201cMote will look forward to expanding collaborations through this HAB Center with scientific partners around the world and local communities to provide increasingly impactful, independent and objective red tide research and mitigation breakthroughs.\u201d<\/p>\n