TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today joined public and private partners to celebrate Florida Oceans Day at the Capitol. The annual event recognizes those dedicated to making our oceans and coasts cleaner, healthier and more productive. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Ocean Technology: Protecting Florida’s Oceans/Sustaining Florida’s Economy.”

“Clean water and responsible management are the heart of Florida’s quality of life and ocean-based economy,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Florida is taking strides to lead the nation in environmental stewardship, protecting the ocean and coastal resources that provide us national treasures, food and recreational and economic opportunities.”

As part of this year’s Florida Oceans Day celebration, DEP hosted exhibits from DEP’s Coastal Management Program, Greenways and Trails, the Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas and the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council. Content from the exhibits included a mobile aquarium, boats and educational displays. In addition, DEP Secretary Sole was honored by the Florida Ocean Alliance as a “Steward of the Sea,” recognizing his commitment to protecting and enhancing Florida’s coastal and ocean resources. DEP Secretary Sole is the first person to ever be named a “Steward of the Sea” by the Florida Ocean Alliance.

Furthering the state’s commitment to protecting our oceans, the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council was created by the Florida Legislature in 2005 to develop priorities for ocean and coastal research and establish a statewide ocean research plan each year. A diverse group of individuals, the Council is made up of fifteen voting members and three non-voting members. The Council also coordinates public and private ocean research from across the state for more effective coastal management. Included in this year’s plan is the beginning stages of an advanced state-of-the-art coastal observation system that will automatically monitor and report the condition of coastal and ocean waters.

With the longest coastline in the contiguous United States, Florida is home to 41 aquatic preserves, three of the nation’s National Estuarine Research Reserves, the Coral Reef Conservation Program and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, one of the largest underwater protected areas in the world. Managed by DEP’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, these protected areas comprise more than 4 million acres of the most valuable submerged lands and select coastal uplands in Florida.

For more information about Florida’s coastal resources, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/.

"Clean water and responsible management are the heart of Florida’s quality of life and ocean-based economy."

~ Michael W. Sole
DEP Secretary