Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #897FY0102
Assessment of Harmful Algal Blooms on Coral Reefs in South Florida
Requester:		J. Seward Johnson, Jr.			Organization:		Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
Project Title:		Assessment of Harmful Algal Blooms on Coral Reefs in South Florida			Date Submitted:		1/16/2002 11:51:46 AM
Sponsors:		Gayle Harrell
Statewide Interest:
Environmental assessment of nutrient sources causing coral reef degradation. The issue of harmful macroalgal blooms is important to the economic well-being of Florida. Tourism is highly dependant upon clean coastal waters, productive coastal fisheries, and expansive, clean beaches. Macroalgal blooms ? lead to declines of reef fish populations ? contribute to accelerated beach erosion. Indeed, commercial and sport fishermen reported declining fish catches in our study areas as these blooms have worsened in recent years. In addition, fleshy macroalgae such as Codium and Caulerpa spp. overgrow reef corals and other reef calcifiers (e.g. calcareous algae), reducing calcification and reef rugosity, contributing to accelerated beach erosion. This has become a very serious issue in coastal south Florida but few have recognized the role of water quality in beach longevity. Adding to this threat is the recent discovery of a Pacific Ocean species of alga that is aggressively invading these ecosystems. Exotic, invasive species have the potential to enormous harm and are cause for alarm for resource managers. Identifying nutrient sources could lead to the curtailment of their release into coastal waters, thereby improving decision making for resource managers. The dive industry from Palm Beach down to the Keys is already experiencing the adverse economic effects as word of mouth spreads that Florida's east coast reefs are not worth diving in their current state. Addressing the root causes of these harmful algal blooms will begin the cure that these reefs need, and which Florida's economy needs, since Florida's economy is so intimately connected to having clean and healthy coastal waters.
Recipient:		Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution			Contact:		Jan Petri
		5600 U.S. 1 North			Contact Phone:		(561) 465-2400 241
		Ft. Pierce 34946
Counties:		Broward, Indian River, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, St. Lucie
Gov't Entity:			Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):					Yes
Project Description:
Continue assessment and inventory started in 2001 of the extent and types of harmful algal blooms affecting reefs along Florida's East Coast. The 2001 study found that Blooms of harmful macroalgae (HAB's) have expanded locally along the near shore reefs as a result of increased nutrient enrichment of the coastal zone Concentrations of blooms were highest in the vicinity of sewage outfall pipes while the effects of deep ocean nutrient upwelling events were disproven. Furthermore, not only are the offending blooms made up of invasive species that over run established food species, but this year's study also found that a new and very aggressive Pacific Ocean species, Caulerpa brachypus, has begun to establish itself in these Florida waters. In 2002 we propose to undertake a long-term (three year) assessment of the harmful macroalgal bloom problem by tracking blooms in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) as well as offshore coral reefs in Palm Beach, Broward, and Monroe Counties. We propose to follow their seasonal (temporal) and geographic (spatial) growth patterns and specifically assess linkages with various sources of nitrogen, including land-based inputs (from sewage, fertilizers, etc.), upwelling, or atmospheric sources. Further, samples of these harmful algae will be analyzed using techniques uniquely available to HARBOR BRANCH to identify the sources of the nutrients alleged to be causing this rapidly spreading problem.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Identification of nutrient sources allowing implementation of management policies that can restore reef health and related ecotourism.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$1,000,000
Identify items(s) in the FY 2002-03 Appropriations Bill to be reduced:
Specific Appropriation #:
Specific Appropriation Title:
Amount to be reduced:			$
Total cost of the project:			$1,000,000
Request has been made to fund:				Operations
What type of match exists for this project?					None
Was this project previously funded by the State?							No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							Unknown
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?							No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?							No
Is there a documented need for this project?							Yes
	Documentation:		Proposal has been extensively reviewed by both the Federal HAB program and the State's Harmful Alga
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:		Treasure Coast Legislation Delegation
	Meeting Date:		12/12/2001