Florida Artificial Reef news, notes and reminders

Please see below for Florida’s latest artificial reef news, notes and reminders:

• Job Announcements, FWC Artificial Reef Biological Scientists, Tallahassee, FL: Due March 14 and March 26, 2018
• Florida Artificial Reef Grant Applications for FY 18-19: Due March 16, 2018
• The Artificial Reefs of Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL: Wednesday, March 21, 2018
• North Central FL Artificial Reef Workshop, Cedar Key, FL: April 18, 2018
• Farewell and Congratulations to Bradley Ennis, FWC Artificial Reef Program Biological Scientist

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Job Announcements for FWC Artificial Reef Program Biological Scientists, Tallahassee, FL: Applications Due March 14, 2018 and March 26, 2018

The FWC Artificial Reef Program is seeking candidates for two biological scientist positions located in Tallahassee, FL.  Both positions will manage grants and contracts for artificial reef development and research, compile, analyze and interpret biological data, conduct SCUBA assessments of artificial reef habitats and prepare technical reports.  Cover letter, resume, and completed job application must be submitted online via the State of Florida PeopleFirst website by midnight, March 14, 2018.  For more information on each vacancy, please visit the People First website as follows:

FTE, BSIV Position (closing date 3/14): https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/TALLAHASSEE-F-&-W-BIOLOGICAL-SCIENTIST-IV-77072668-FL-32301/460549300/

OPS BSI Position (closing date 3/26):   https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/TALLAHASSEE-FWCDMFM-OPS-BIOLOGICAL-SCIENTIST-I-77901167-FL-32301/460157800/

                              

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FWC Call for Florida Artificial Reef Grant Applications FY 18-19: Due Friday, March 16, 2018

 

Reminder that FWC artificial reef construction and monitoring grant applications for fiscal year 2018-19 are due this Friday, March 16^th. 

Applications from eligible applicants must be received no later than Friday March 16, 2018, by 5pm.  Applications for artificial reef construction must be accompanied by documentation of an active permitted site valid through August 31, 2019.

The announcement, application forms and instructions can be downloaded from the FWC Artificial Reef Program website: http://myfwc.com/artificialreefs

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Artificial Reefs of Tampa Bay: Wednesday, March 21, 2018 (Adventure Outfitters, 4316 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa FL) 6:30am – 7:30pm

 

Learn about Tampa Bay’s artificial reefs from Chris Pratt of the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) during the monthly free guest lecture series at Adventure Outfitters dive shop, Tampa.  Chris will provide an overview of Tampa Bay’s artificial reefs and the results of their recently completed surveys of the epibenthic macroinvertebrate communities. Snacks and refreshments provided.  

 

For more information, please contact Jenny Blevins, info@adventuretampa.com or (813) 832-6669.

 

 

 

 

 

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North Central FL Artificial Reef Workshop, Cedar Key, FL: April 18, 2018

Cedar Key Community Center, 809 6th Street, Cedar Key, FL

The North Central Florida Artificial Reef Manager’s Workshop will bring together about forty artificial reef managers, scientists and others interested in artificial reefs to discuss new research, statewide initiatives and regional updates for Florida’s ‘Nature Coast’ region. This one-day workshop will be held in Cedar Key, one of the most unique coastal communities along Florida’s Gulf Coast, at the Cedar Key Community Center, 809 6th Street, Cedar Key, FL.  To view the agenda (attached) and register for the workshop, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/north-central-florida-artificial-reef-workshop

To attend in-person registration is $20 and includes conference handouts, light continental breakfast with coffee, lunch, and afternoon refreshments. A limited number of exhibit tables/spaces will be available (Booth space $50, includes one attendee). For those wishing to participate remotely, the workshop will also be broadcast live via Florida Sea Grant’s “Florida Artificial Reefs” Facebook page the day of the workshop (https://www.facebook.com/floridaartificialreefs/).

For those arriving the day before, Tuesday, April 17, 2018, please join us for: Welcome Social (5-6:30pm), Nature Coast Biological Station, 552 1st Street, Cedar Key (please park at the Park Place Hotel and walk over);     Group Dinner (6:30-9pm), Steamers Clam Bar and Grill, 420 Dock St., Cedar Key.  For lodging a block of rooms has been set up at the Park Place Hotel, 211 2nd Street, Cedar Key, FL. For reservations call 800-868-7963, ask for the “North Central Artificial Reef Workshop” Group rate of $76.50/night + $6.89 Tax. Rooms include a fully equipped kitchen, 2 full beds, and view to the Gulf, located within walking distance to all restaurants. Arrivals after 6pm need to request after-hours check-in procedures.

For those wishing to participate remotely, the workshop will also be broadcast live via Florida Sea Grant’s “Florida Artificial Reefs” Facebook page the day of the workshop (https://www.facebook.com/floridaartificialreefs/).

For more information, please contact Victor Blanco, victorblancomar@ufl.edu or (850) 838-3508 Ext. 305.

                                                                  

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Farewell and Congratulations to Bradley Ennis, FWC Artificial Reef Program Biological Scientist FWC

FWC Artificial Reef Biological Scientist, Bradley Ennis has started a new position with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, providing GIS support for the Water Resource Management Division. 

During Brad’s five-year tenure with FWC (two years with the FWRI GIS Program, and three years with the Artificial Reef Program), Brad redesigned the FWC Artificial Reef database using the latest relational database GIS tools available in addition to providing valuable technical support both in the field and in the office managing state and federally-funded artificial reef projects.

We congratulate Brad on his new role with the State of Florida FDEP and are thankful for Brad’s service to FWC, especially his contributions for Florida’s artificial reef management.

To view some of Brad’s handiwork, check out the interactive map of Florida’s Artificial Reefs (http://arcg.is/1TPCe).

Brad’s new contact information is 850-245-8201, bradley.ennis@dep.state.fl.us.