Eric
Best

About

Eric Best serves as the North West Florida Clean Boating Coordinator with Florida Sea Grant, with an area of responsibility extending from Escambia County to Hernando County. Eric is a retired U.S. Coast Guard veteran with 22 years of active-duty service. Most notably, he served as officer in charge (OIC) of Station Montauk, NY, Cutter Marlin in Panama City Beach, FL, and Cutter Ridley in Panama City Beach, FL. A passionate steward of the environment, he served as a USCG boarding officer for over 19 years, ensuring vessel compliance with environmental regulations ranging from no-discharge zones to the disposal of plastics and oily water. In his previous role before joining Florida Sea Grant, Eric worked with the National Park Service at the Gulf Islands National Seashore, where he was responsible for collecting field data and protecting habitat for imperiled shorebirds. Eric also worked on invasive species management, sea turtle nesting, and marine debris removal with the National Park Service. Eric holds a B.S. in Business Management and Economics from the State University of New York.

Growing up on the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Eric is an avid fisherman and boater. He also enjoys spending time with family, hiking, and travelling.

Projects, Research & Specializations

The Clean Marina Program and Clean Vessel Act (CVA) encourages marine facilities and boaters to protect Florida’s waterways through best practices and proper waste disposal. In Eric Best’s role, he leverages his skills in public outreach and education through site visits and workshops to give boaters the knowledge, tools, and resources to navigate CVA grant applications, and the installation, maintenance, repair, and operation of sewage disposal equipment for the Clean Marina Program.

*The Clean Boating Coordinator positions are funded through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.