Reports highlight "Oceans Day" at Capitol

Today is "Oceans Day" at the Florida Capitol

The Florida Oceans and Coastal Council will have displays in the Capitol rotunda from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme of this year's Oceans Day is "Florida's Ocean Assets in a Changing Climate and Economy," according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The council is highlighting its report, The Effects of Climate Change on Florida’s Ocean and Coastal Resources, which was presented to the Governor’s Energy and Climate Commission on Jan. 26.

The report noted Florida's vulnerability to climate change because of its 1,200 miles of coastline and its 18 million residents who live within 60 miles of the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. Rising sea levels increase beach erosion, wipe out estuaries and further threaten the state's drinking water supplies, the report said.

Earlier this week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission highlighted its research into red tide that was published this month in the scientific journal "Harmful Algae." The agency last week offered to cut nearly $1.4 million in red tide research and mitigation grants to meet a 20-percent budget reduction as requested by Senate leaders.

To read the FWCC news release on its red tide research, go on the Web to www.myfwc.com or follow this link: http://myfwc.com/NEWSROOM/09/statewide/News_09_X_RedTidePub.htm

To read the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council report, follow this link:
http://www.floridaoceanscouncil.org/reports/default.htm