Florida Sea Grant’s research priorities for 2010-2011 were developed in a comprehensive strategic planning process that included a survey of over 700 Florida stakeholders and residents and a 2-day workshop where representatives from universities, research laboratories, federal and state agencies and the private sector identified priority goals and strategies. The priorities also reflect the input of Florida Sea Grant’s Advisory Council and are expected to guide the selection of research projects through at least 2013.

4. Priority Research Areas

Faculty interested in addressing this opportunity for Florida Sea Grant funding in 2010-2011 must respond to one or more of the priorities identified below under the four strategic focus areas.  Linkages among them may be possible. We are not inviting extension or education proposals, however, collaborative planning of research projects with extension agents, resource management agencies or the private sector are strongly encouraged.

HEALTHY COASTAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS

Ecosystem health and sustainability will determine the future of the state’s environment and will nurture a myriad of societal values that include recreational and commercial fisheries, recreational boating and diving, beach-related recreation, tourism, and nature observation. However, increasingly rapid coastal development, overfishing, and other human activities are leading to congestion, water quality degradation, declines in fish stocks, shoreline erosion and loss of critical habitat – thereby threatening the sustainability of the coast and ultimately the quality of life of Florida citizens. Given the magnitude, complexity and interconnectedness of issues, there is a critical need for scientific information, tools, technologies and innovative processes to reduce human-related stresses affecting coastal and marine ecosystems.

Priorities:

1.  Quantify how marine fish and other biota are affected by recreational fishing, fisheries management options, or by other man-made or natural changes to critical habitat, food resources or predation risk across life cycles.

2.    Develop and/or evaluate the effectiveness of models, policies or technologies to support ecosystem-based adaptive management of fisheries and other marine resources. Interdisciplinary work that links biology with other disciplines including social sciences and economics is particularly encouraged.

3.   Develop and/or evaluate the effectiveness of methods to promote behavioral changes that can reduce human-related impacts to coastal and marine environments.

SUSTAINABLE AND HAZARD RESILIENT COASTAL COMMUNITIES

Coastal communities provide vital economic, social and recreational opportunities for millions of Floridians and tens of millions of visitors to the state each year. Yet, decades of population migration have transformed our coasts and intensified the demand for finite coastal and marine resources. The changes associated with increased development are placing tremendous pressure on habitat, water quality and supply, public access and traditional ways of life. Hurricanes and other natural hazards create additional stress for communities that also face challenges from sea level rise and other effects of climate change. Florida Sea Grant will support the best available science to help communities become economically and socially stable and function within the carrying capacity of their ecosystems.

Priorities:

1.     Develop technologies, products, policies or public engagement processes that can be used by coastal communities to increase their resilience to coastal hazards.

2.    Develop information, models or other technologies needed to improve the prediction of impacts from storms, community vulnerability to storms, and resistance of the human built environment to storms.

3.    Develop information, public engagement processes, planning guidelines and policies to ensure safe and sustainable public and commercial use of and access to waterfronts and waterways.

SEAFOOD PRODUCTION AND SAFETY

The rising demand for fish and rapidly increasing fishing activity have increased the pressure on Florida’s limited fishery resources, resulting in adverse impacts on fish populations and a need for more effective recreational and commercial fisheries management, including protection of critical habitat required for all life stages of the fish. This requires a more complete knowledge about biological processes, and the socio-economic dynamics among fishers, consumers and resources, to better assess fish abundance, health and habitat quality. New and innovative ways also are needed to identify and maintain critical habitats, manage resources and evaluate the effectiveness of fisheries management decisions. Aquaculture may create new opportunities to meet the rising demand for seafood, but a number of issues must first be addressed for this potential to be realized. Florida’s tropical waters, high production, and huge imported fish market create significant and recurring issues about aquatic food product safety and quality. These challenges require directed research to ensure the sustainability, safety, diversity and quality of both Florida and imported seafood products.

Priorities:

1.   Develop the information, technologies or social marketing methods required to support sustainable harvesting of fish and other marine organisms.

2.  Develop methods and technologies for sustainable marine aquaculture, including: diversification of candidate species, maximizing energy efficiency and water conservation, minimizing environmental impacts, optimizing aquatic animal health, or developing value-added products.

3.  Develop: methods to evaluate seafood product source and quality; innovative technologies for the safe processing and packaging of seafood; or objective and effective approaches to inform consumers about the benefits and/or risks associated with eating seafood.

CLIMATE CHANGE: IMPACTS AND ADAPTATIONS

Florida is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its low topography, concentration of residents and assets along the coast, and strong dependence on coastal and marine ecosystems to support its economy. Climate-associated changes, including sea level rise, increased ocean temperatures, altered rainfall and storm dynamics, and ocean acidification are expected to have impacts that span all of the coastal and marine sectors of the state. In the marine ecosystem, the distribution of native and exotic species may change with increased water temperature, as may the prevalence of disease in keystone animals such as corals and the occurrence and intensity of toxic algae blooms. The viability of Florida’s shellfish industry may be threatened, and coastal communities that were designed to resist storm surges based on historical information may be at considerable risk should relative sea level rise 1 or 2 feet during the service life of infrastructure. Florida Sea Grant will support the necessary research to create a citizenry that is informed about climate change and that collectively takes strategic, reasoned and effective actions to minimize impacts.

Priorities:

1.  Develop the information, policies, and social awareness necessary for communities to make informed science-based decisions regarding adaptations to climate change.

2.  Quantify the socio-economic and environmental benefits of incorporating climate change into policy decisions including costs of strategic retreat performed now versus in the future.

3.  Identify how man-made physical alterations to the coastal environment, including seawalls, dredging and ground water depletion may interact with sea level rise to affect coastal ecosystems and the services they provide to society.

Proceed to Preparing Statement of Interest