FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 12, 2005
CONTACT: DEP – Sarah Williams, (850) 245-2112
FWC – Willie Puz, (561) 625-5122
DACS – Terry McElroy, (850) 488-3022
 

State Appoints Fifteen to Florida Ocean and Coastal Council

--Members chosen to protect Florida’s marine waterways and shorelines--

TALLAHASSEE – The State of Florida today announced appointments to the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council. Established by House Bill 1855 in the last legislative session, the Council will develop priorities for ocean and coastal research and establish a statewide ocean research plan. The group will also coordinate public and private ocean research for more effective coastal management.

 

Co-chaired by Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Colleen Castille and Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Ken Haddad, the council is made up of fifteen voting members and three non-voting members. DEP Secretary Castille, FWC Director Haddad and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) Commissioner Charles Bronson each appoint five members to the council. Secretary Castille, Director Haddad and Commissioner Bronson are the non-voting members.

 

DEP Appointees:

 

  • Dr. Karl Havens – Chair of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida.
  • Dr. Thomas D. Waite – Dean of the College of Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology.
  • Dr. John C. Ogden – Director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography and Professor of Biology, University of South Florida.
  • Dr. Thomas N. Lee – Research Professor of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami.
  • Dr. Lisa Robbins – Chief Scientist, United States Geological Survey Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies.

FWC Appointees

 

  • Billy Causey – Superintendent, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
  • Dr. James Cato – Director, Florida Sea Grant.
  • Dr. Shirley Pomponi – President and Chief Executive Officer, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution.
  • Dr. Jerome Lorenz – Research Director, National Audubon Society’s Tavernier Science Center.
  • Dr. R. Grant Gilmore – Senior Aquatic Scientist, Dynamac Corporation.

DACS Appointees:

 

  • Jane Davis – Aquarium Director, The Living Seas at Walt Disney World’s Epcot®.
  • Dr. Ernest Estevez – Director, Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Coastal Ecology.
  • Rob Kramer – President, International Game Fish Association.
  • Jerry Sansom – Executive Director, Organized Fishermen of Florida.
  • Jody Thomas – Director, The Nature Conservatory’s South Florida Region.