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February 11, 2002                                         
Media Contact: Jim Murley 954-762-5255

 LEGISLATURE CELEBRATES FLORIDA OCEANS DAY

           The Florida Ocean Alliance is sponsoring a celebration for Florida Oceans Day on February 13th in Tallahassee.   Oceans Day events include more than twenty ocean-related exhibits by Florida universities and private research groups for legislators and government officials in the Capitol Rotunda throughout the day on February 13th.  Other activities include a presentation on “Ocean Priorities for Florida” by Dr. Sylvia Earle, world-renowned scientist, author, Explorer in Residence at National Geographic Society and former chief scientist at NOAA.  Mote Marine Laboratory is also hosting a seafood reception for legislators and other government officials to meet Mote scientists and educators.

Oceans Day also promotes public awareness of the need to protect, enhance, and manage Florida’s resources for future generations.  Healthy oceans are critical for Florida’s economy and to promote sustainable resources for all Floridians.

            As part of the celebration, Secretary of State Katherine Harris is issuing a proclamation that recognizes the contributions of Dr. Sylvia Earle to ocean exploration and conservation.  The Oceans Day events are sponsored and organized by the Florida Ocean Alliance, the Florida Institute of Oceanography and Mote Marine Laboratory.

      “The Florida Ocean Alliance is very pleased to have Dr. Sylvia Earle speak to legislators on the importance of Florida’s oceans to our state’s ecology and economy.  As an expert on ocean research, Director of the Sustainable Seas Expedition, and as one of the world’s Heroes of the Planet, Dr. Earle is well prepared to discuss responsible stewardship of ocean resources for Floridians,” said David McDonald, Alliance chair and Chairman of the Florida Ports Council.

The Florida Ocean Alliance is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public-private partnership of government, academic, and private sectors formed in 1999 to promote awareness and understanding of the ocean’s importance to the ecology and economy of Florida.  More information on the Alliance is available at their website www.floridaoceanalliance.org.  The FAU/FIU Joint Center for Environmental and Urban Problems serves as secretariat for the Florida Ocean Alliance.

The Alliance Board of Directors includes Chair, David McDonald of the Florida Ports Council, Vice Chair Dr. Kumar Mahadevan of Mote Marine Laboratory, Dr. James Cato of Florida Sea Grant, Dr. Andrew Clark of Harris Corporation/Maritime Communications Services, Dr. Duane DeFreese of Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, Timothy Edmond of Arvida, a St. Joe company, Dr. John Ogden of the Florida Institute of Oceanography, Dr. Ellen Prager of Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Jody Thomas of The Nature Conservancy, Jim Walsh of Carnival Cruises, and Capt. William Wright of Royal Caribbean International.