|
|
|
Florida Sea Grant’s overarching goals focus on providing economic leadership for 1) biotechnology, 2) sustainable fisheries, 3) aquaculture, 4) seafood safety and 5) waterfront communities; enhancing coastal stewardship and public safety through 6) ecosystem health and 7) response to coastal hazards; and, improving scientific literacy through 8) graduate education and 9) marine education.
Within its role of research, education and extension from a university setting, the overarching goals include goals that are specific to Florida; but in some cases are important both nationally and internationally. They are the ones most critical to Florida, as determined by Florida’s faculty, its government agencies, its industries and its citizens.
Economic Leadership
1. Use marine biotechnology to create and enhance products and processes from Florida’s coastal resources
2. Create and teach production and management techniques that make fisheries sustainable and competitive
3. Develop the food and hobby segments of the marine aquaculture industry
4. Improve the quality and safety of fish and seafood products
5. Increase the economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability of coastal communities and water-dependent businesses
Coastal Stewardship and Public Safety
6. Protect, restore and enhance coastal ecosystems
7. Respond to shoreline changes and coastal hazards
Education and Human Resources
8. Produce a highly trained workforce in marine and coastal related sciences
9. Create scientifically and environmentally informed citizens
The following sections provide a brief description for each of the three overarching goals. Then, for each goal area, the following information is presented: 1) description of the area; 2) forces of change; 3) measurable goal; 4) audiences; 5) products and activities; 6) performance indicators; 7) objectives; and, 8) additional resources needed.
Marine biotechnology in Florida represents an opportunity for both university scientists and biotechnology-based companies to have an impact on the growth and duration of this field. Using natural products from the sea to create pharmaceutical compounds of commercial importance is just one example. Florida leads the nation in terms of the economic value from all uses of its marine fish and shellfish. However, Florida’s fisheries are affected by multiple-use conflicts, global trade, overfishing and coastline development that contributes to habitat loss. Worldwide, aquaculture provides almost 30 percent of the fish and shellfish consumed by people. In Florida, aquaculture provides only a small amount of the state’s total. The largest segment of the industry is freshwater tropical fish for the hobby aquarium trade. Growth potential exists for the food and hobby marine aquaculture industries. Florida’s seafood processing plants and seafood firms range from the nation’s largest firms to many small independents. Each is attempting to respond to seafood safety issues, increasing demand, shifts in seafood supply, increasing international trade and competition, new regulatory inspection mandates and environmental concerns. Managing coastal development is a critical challenge facing Florida’s water-dependent enterprises. Traditionally, small businesses engaged in tourism and the marine trade are at risk and need to increase productivity and efficiency by adopting new technologies, adapting to regulatory changes and maintaining access to coastal waters.
 Strategic Goal 1: Biotechnology
Strategic Goal 2: Fisheries
Strategic Goal 3: Aquaculture
Strategic Goal 4: Seafood Safety
Strategic Goal 5: Waterfront Communities
Florida estuaries, where freshwater from the land meets saltwater from the sea, are characterized by enormous ecological, social and economic diversity. Most of the species that support Florida’s multi-billion dollar fisheries depend on estuaries to complete their life cycle. Meanwhile, most of Florida’s urbanization is taking place alongside estuaries and placing stress on the quality and quantity of these valuable habitats. The Florida shore and its coastal inhabitants are at risk from a variety of natural hazards, most notably the winds, waves and floods generated by hurricanes. Risks to life and property from these recurring hazards can only increase, given the anticipated growth of coastal populations over the next several decades. There needs to be a dedicated effort to reduce the economic, social and personal losses due to natural hazards. All stakeholders share an interest in pursuing loss (or cost) control which is a proven risk management technique.
Strategic Goal 6: Ecosystem Health
Strategic Goal 7: Coastal Hazards
Investment in the future of Florida’s coastal resources requires both capital and labor. It is critical that the labor force be highly trained and skilled. As a university- and issue-based research and education program, Florida Sea Grant draws upon its partnership of people, universities, governments and businesses to ensure that Florida has a technically trained work force and scientifically and environmentally informed citizens.
Through support to undergraduate and graduate education and through skill-based training, Florida Sea Grant produces highly trained scientists, social scientists, engineers and other professionals that increase Florida’s economic competitiveness both nationally and internationally and who devise and lead creative management concepts to keep Florida’s coastal environment sustainable for future generations. Florida Sea Grant also designs and implements education programs that use local concepts in youth education and, through its Sea Grant extension and communication programs, creates changes in the informal education system as it interprets and delivers information for over 17 million residents and 78 million tourists.
Strategic Goal 8: Graduate Education
Strategic Goal 9: Marine Education
|
|
|
Previous