NSU Newsroom
SharkBytes
Horizons
This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Oceanographic Center representatives attend U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting
from left to right: Bernhard Riegl, NSU OC professor and NCRI associate director; the Hon. Benigno Fitial, Governor of Saipan; NSU OC dean and NCRI executive director Richard Dodge, Ph.D.; and OC alumna Joanna Walczack, M.S., assistant manager of FL DEP Coral Reef Conservation Program.
NSU Oceanographic Center (OC) dean Richard Dodge, Ph.D., who is also the executive director of NSU’s National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI); NSU OC professor and NCRI associate director, Bernhard Riegl, Ph.D.; and NSU OC assistant director of development and NCRI administrative coordinator, Wendy Wood, attended the semi-annual United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) meeting in Guam and Saipan, held from Sept. 1 – 16. This was the 24th meeting of the USCRTF, and it included meetings and coral reef site visits on both islands.
Dodge gave a presentation which highlighted the work of NCRI and the importance of partnerships for the new Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystem Science research facility, which will break ground this year. The NCRI representatives also participated in a workshop discussing U.S. military on the island of Guam. NCRI researchers have conducted work for the Navy in Guam on coral habitat mitigation associated with the project.
Representing the state of Florida on the Task Force was NSU OC alumna Joanna Walczak, M.S., who currently serves as an assistant manager for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Coral Reef Conservation Program. The USCRTF was established in 1998 by Presidential Executive Order to lead U.S. efforts to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. The USCRTF includes leaders of 12 federal agencies, seven U.S. states, territories, commonwealths, and three freely associated states. The USCRTF helps build partnerships, strategies, and support for on-the-ground action to conserve coral reefs.