This study focused on the Kristin Jacobs Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area (ECA) in southeast Florida. The ECA, established in 2018, aimed to address threats to the northern portion of Florida’s Coral Reef, previously lacking formal management. Building upon the Our Florida Reefs (OFR) process, the study seeks to investigate the feasibility and potential impact of implementing a voluntary marine industry education program, similar to the FKNMS Blue Star Program, within the ECA region. The project aims to hire and train SCUBA-certified student workers to conduct a “mystery shopper” study of SCUBA diving businesses, collecting qualitative and quantitative data to inform the development of the proposed educational program and support the management goals of the FDEP CRCP.
No cost extension was granted through 3/1/24. This project involves two short-term employees engaging in recreational SCUBA diving expeditions at a minimum of eight SCUBA diving businesses across a 100-mile region of southeast Florida. Due to unforeseen delays in the hiring process, their participation didn’t commence until the second week of October, significantly setting back the project’s timeline. The delay, exceeding six weeks, has been exacerbated by factors such as inclement weather, the employees’ health and fitness status for diving, and the availability of dive shops for scheduling. An extension is requested to accommodate the completion of the recreational SCUBA diving trips, after which data collation and final report writing will ensue.
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