Thank you to all who attended
Florida Oceans Day and contributed to its collective success.
Florida Oceans Day is an annual event focused on convening members, stakeholders, officials, and legislators. The goal is fostering a shared commitment to the preservation of Florida’s marine and coastal resources and recognizing their critical contribution to sustaining a robust blue economy.
Oceans Day 2026 took place Wednesday, February 18, in Tallahassee. The day’s activities featured the Florida Institute of Oceanography's Member Exhibits and Fish Fry at the Capitol Plaza, followed by the Mote Legislative Reception at the Historic Capitol later that evening.
This year’s conference,
From Shoreline to Statehouse: Advancing Florida’s Ocean Prosperity,
emphasized the ongoing efforts to ensure the long-term health and vitality of the State’s coasts and oceans.
Prior to the day’s activities, Florida Ocean Alliance hosted a Leadership Luncheon at the Governors Club in Tallahassee. Guests heard from outstanding speakers that included FDEP Secretary Alexis Lambert and FWC Assistant Director Rett Boyd, as well as Dr. Colin Powell who shared activities of the Office of Ocean Economy (OOE) at FAU. Rep. Chip LaMaca also attended and spoke about the ocean economy and his role as co-sponsor of the OOE bill last session.
Florida Oceans Day is organized and hosted by the Florida Institute of Oceanography, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, and the Florida Ocean Alliance.
To view previous Oceans Day Events, visit this webpage or our photo album.
Speakers
Jessica Crawford | Chief of Staff at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Crawford has previously worked as a legislative aide to then-Senator Alan Hays and she was a Legislative Specialist at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Jessica Melkun | Director of Legislative Affairs at the FWC
Melkun worked as an Attorney in the Florida House of Representatives and as an Environmental Consultant with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Press Release
Representative Chip LaMarca | Florida House of Representatives
Representing the 100th House District which includes part of Broward County, LaMarca is currently the Chair of the Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee and serves on the Commerce Committee and the Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee.
Colin Polsky, Ph.D. | Associate Vice President of Broward Campuses at Florida Atlantic University
Dr. Polsky oversees the Florida State Office of Ocean Economy housed at Florida Atlantic University. A geographer by training, Dr. Polsky’s interdisciplinary work bridges science, policy, and entrepreneurship to strengthen the connection between environmental resilience and economic growth.
