Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) Awareness and Appreciation (AA) Local Action Strategy (LAS) Meeting August 9, 2004 Broward County Sea Grant Extension Office 3245 College Ave Davie, FL 33314 Dianne Behringer - Broward County, Sea Grant
Chantal Collier - Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
Kelly Gracie – FDEP
Roberto Torres – The Nature Conservancy
Stephen Attis – Vone Research
Marsha Colbert – FDEP
Cynthia Guerra – Tropical Audubon Society
Frank Schmidt – Private (dive captain)
Dan & Stephanie Clark – Cry of the Water
Carol Fretwell – National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI)
Mary Tagliareni – Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS)
Lisa Baumbach – Broward County Audubon Society
Pamela Fletcher – Broward County Dept. of Planning and Environmental Protection (DPEP)
David White – The Ocean Conservancy
Ginny Powell – Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Mgmt.
I. Welcome and Introductions:
Dianne welcomed the group and called the meeting to order. Chantal began with introductions and asked the participants to introduce themselves. Announcements:
Chantal Collier:
US Coral Reef Task Force meeting – Eden Roc Hotel, Miami Beach Sept. 14th – 15th, workshops Sept. 11th & 13th. Info: www.coralreef.gov - Brochure for meeting in press and will be sent out when complete. Stephen showed a 9 minute video to the group, called “Preserving our Treasures”, that he filmed and produced to create public awareness of the magnificent reef systems in Broward County. Dan & Stephanie Clark opened with the idea to secure local cable spots targeting fishermen and divers regarding the state of coral reefs in South Florida. They expressed the need for weekly reports on reef status to be put out to the public. Dan stated cost would be approximately $600 per ½ hour. Chantal noted that NOAA would like for us to focus on projects in LAS for existing funding, however there will be future opportunity for more projects to be discussed. Carol also noted that we need to focus on agenda and projects at hand for this meeting. Dianne explained that year 2 projects need to be decided for, and that project ideas that were not addressed can be worked in. Dianne asked for clarification for the group of when year 1 projects begin (Oct. 1, 2004). VIII. SEFAST, Issue Team & Other Stakeholder Contact Lists (taken out of order)
ƒ Contact sheets passed around to make sure information is updated and correct
ƒ It was requested that each person make sure they are on the correct list and asked to add
anyone that may not be on that should be on the lists
V. SEFAST Intranet Website (taken out of order)
ƒ Password protected site with the purpose of distributing draft documents between groups,
within groups for feedback.
ƒ Chantal asked group to look at site and give feedback on potential uses.
II. Update of Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) and Southeast Florida
Action Strategy Team (SEFAST) status August 2004
Chantal Collier:
ƒ Year 1 projects of the 3 year Local Action Strategy (LAS) addressing the 4 focus areas:
Awareness & Appreciation (AA), Land-Based Sources of Pollution (LBSP), Maritime
Industry & Coastal Construction Impacts (MICCI), and Fishing Diving and Other Uses
(FDOU) for coral reef protection and conservation have been defined and funded. Funds
will be available October 1, 2004 with a grant from NOAA and matching State funds
from FDEP. One challenge we face comes from the difference in fiscal years and length
of awards. State awards are for one year, beginning July 1, while NOAA funding is for
18-month cycles beginning each October 1. Funding will be dispersed on a project-by­
project basis
ƒ Funding dispersal mechanisms need to be researched for year 1 projects
ƒ The February 2004 LAS draft is available on the web, as well as SEFAST meeting
schedules & agenda and minutes at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/programs/coral/.
Meetings have been scheduled for October 4th & 5th and November 4th & 5th to review, refine,
and finalize the 2004 draft LAS. The meetings will be guided by facilitator, Mark Amaral.
VI. Review role of Focus Teams & Issue Teams (taken out of order)
ƒ SEFAST originally created as agency-only team as core group that would do most of the
work to develop SEFCRI
ƒ Issue Teams were created to support SEFAST, but their involvement has been limited.
Propose invitation to Issue Team members to join SEFAST (no longer to be agency only)
and participate in LAS finalization and implementation.
ƒ Issue Teams would be combined with working groups to create a broader and more
inclusive SEFAST. Change in structure is needed to facilitate participation.
Stephanie explained her frustration of agency-only decision-making and wants more public
involvement. Chantal explained that the purpose of merging Issue Team members into SEFAST
is to have inclusive decision-making. Expanding the role of the Navigators was proposed,
providing each group with a Federal, State, Local, and a non-agency Navigator.
Mary clarified AA has always been inclusive and has led the way for the other groups. Carol
stated AA identified that SEFAST needed a full-time, locally assigned, dedicated lead for
SEFCRI and that we are fortunate that FDEP has hired Chantal to be it. Chantal gave history of
her wide background and varied experience, which particularly parallels many of the challenges
our SEFAST/SEFCRI faces.
[Chantal Collier is a Marine Biologist and the Coral Reef Program Manager for the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection. In this position, she is facilitating the development,
coordination and implementation of the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative through Florida’s
membership on the United States Coral Reef Task Force.
Prior to joining the Department of Environmental Protection, Chantal served as the Regional Kelp
Project Manager for the California Coastkeeper Alliance. In this capacity, she established a largescale kelp mariculture laboratory, successfully cultivating over 60,000 Macrocystis pyrifera juveniles for
the Southern California Regional Kelp Restoration Project. In addition to operating the kelp lab,
Chantal oversaw all aspects of the project including environmental permitting, data management,
reporting, grant management, and educational outreach. Chantal has also conducted kelp forest
monitoring and research for the Channel Islands National Park and Catalina Island Conservancy,
maintained marine collections and taught scientific research diving courses at UCLA, investigated
queen conch reproductive patterns and coral spawning at the Caribbean Marine Research Center,
and was instrumental in all phases of program development, exhibit design and the grand opening of
the UCLA Ocean Discovery Center. Chantal earned a B.S. in Zoology from the University of
California, Santa Barbara.]
It was also proposed that a draft charter for SEFAST needs to be created. Dan agreed that public
comment is important and a Charter for SEFAST could be modeled from a combination of the
Everglades and Coral Reef Task Force Charters.
VII. LAS Completion Meeting and Public Review:
Chantal Collier:
The purpose of meetings scheduled Oct 4th & 5th and Nov 4th & 5th are to: ƒ Define the new broader and inclusive SEFAST
ƒ Refine and finalize the draft SEFCRI LAS
ƒ Presentation of the refined draft for public review and comment
ƒ Follow up meeting to incorporate public comment into Final LAS
Meeting schedules and agenda will be posted on the web at:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/programs/coral/ when location and times are finalized.
Review LAS Projects
Existing grants and funding: Mapping and Monitoring
Chantal Collier:
Existing Grants: 2 Monitoring (NOAA-FDEP-FMRI/NCRI)
Oct 2002 - $165K (install sites, 2003 surveys)
Oct 2003 - $100K (2004 surveys)
2 Mapping/LAS Implementation (NOAA-FDEP-FMRI/NCRI)
Oct 2002 - $360K
northern Dade & Broward mapping,
LAS workshops, SEFCRI brochure,
SEFAST intranet
Oct 2003 - $351,500
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$210K mapping part of Palm Beach Co.
$141,500 LAS implementation
[incl. Sept 04 USCRTF meeting planning (10K),
LBSOP biomarker study ($53K),
LBSOP TAC meeting ($15K),
various travel, meeting, supplies, additional LAS projects]
New Grants: Monitoring
Oct 2004 - $100K (2005 surveys)
LAS/Mapping
Oct 2004 – $400K Fed & $370K State
- $274K mapping rest of PB Co, and So. Martin Co.
- $126K Fed & $96K State – LAS Implementation
(priority projects, DEP Coral Reef Program office set up
in Miami, DEP Coral Reef Program support staff)
Contracts
2003 Monitoring & Mapping - revising 2004 Monitoring & Mapping – finalizing new agreements Dan and Stephanie concerned that no inshore mapping has been done. Chantal explained that
NOAA is working on that now. Carol further clarified that:
ƒ More mapping is being done to define habitat, by combining results of several different
technologies/techniques, including results from satellite, LADS, aerial, acoustic, and
ground-truthing methods (to name a few).
ƒ SE Florida mapping, particularly Broward County, benefits from the fact that it is often
the test area for new mapping technology.
ƒ The NOAA mapping group finished most of the mapping in 4 yrs that had been forecast
would take 10 years to do for all federal jurisdictions.
Stephanie asked why the Volunteer Monitoring Forum originally proposed for the September
USCRTF meeting was postponed. Chantal and Carol explained that the forum organizers felt
there was insufficient time to plan the meeting for September. There will be a DEMA meeting in
Houston this fall. All anticipated participating volunteer groups will be there, so they are
scheduling a planning meeting there to work out a more inclusive agenda for the forum at the
USCRTF meeting in D.C. in February. Also, organizers said that most of the volunteer groups
have representatives in the DC area, so it would be easier for them to provide representatives for
a task force meeting in Washington than in Miami.
IV. Additional Funding:
Chantal Collier:
There is an excess of approximately $45,000 for LAS implementation that has not been used
from current year funds. A needs assessment project was included in the LAS and is necessary
to determine the direction and key messages of many of the other AA projects; therefore it
should be done ASAP. NOAA and DEP agreed this is an appropriate LAS project to target these
funds.
Dianne directed group to objective 2 of the draft LAS which is a needs assessment of the SE
Florida community:
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Issue of increasing awareness and appreciation for all community groups (media, fishers,
divers, visitors, etc.)
At this point Lisa Baumbach needed to leave and wanted to let group know about Vision
Broward.
ƒ Combining business with environmental awareness and protection, including both the
Broward Workshop and the Broward Alliance to connect with Broward hotels. Dianne
referenced similar achievements by Dianne and Peggy McPherson who together spoke to
the Beach Council (Broward), and suggested the need to get the tourism industry
involved as a partner – could be a potential funding source.
ƒ Lisa is the Quality of Life Task Force leader for Vision Broward
Lisa announced Sun Nov. 14 as the Third “Give Thanks For the Environment” event at Anne
Kolb Nature Center (Everglades and the Ecosystem) – including free exhibit space. She also
mentioned that she has made another contact in Palm Beach County, Stephen Bass, from the
Environmental Coalition of Palm Beach County (phone: 561-338-1473).
Needs Assessment Discussion:
Chantal - gave information (handout with websites) and explained the Jamaica needs assessment
study which is on the web, and the Ridge to Reef Initiative
Mary – need prioritization of audiences—the needs assessment is tied into other objectives as
well. Need to focus on users first?
Chantal posed the question of how we conduct the needs assessment; potentially contract to
someone to develop questions working with AA group to survey focus groups in each county.
Dianne suggested using a professional research group. Pam mentioned Bob Leeworthy from
NOAA would be a good source for recommending a professional group (he’s a co-author of the
‘Johns Report’ as well as many other well-respected projects).
Mary-Could this be a university project potentially for a graduate student? Kelly provided some
insight and possible contacts at the University of Miami, including Kenny Broad.
Chantal – Need project lead to review objectives then get together to explore how to get info out
to specific target groups: citizens, visitors, diving, and fishing. It may be a good idea to bring in
representatives of those groups. Mary-need to find out what motivates the public. Pam stated
surveys should be tailored to specific counties (ex. manatee protection focus on boaters).
Roberto stressed the importance of obtaining temporal information, such as how long the
interviewee has been here, etc.)
Project Leads:
ƒ Kelly and Ginny will make initial contact with potential professional marketing
researchers
ƒ Kelly, Ginny, Roberto (will check with TNC to determine his potential involvement),
Dianne, and Marsha will evaluate prospects identified by Kelly and Ginny
ƒ Dianne will have high school student to surf net and make calls.
ƒ The project leads will gather information within 1 month and then the AA team will
evaluate prospective proposals/costs for the needs assessment.
III. Projects for 2004:
Chantal stated that many of the projects will require a graphic designer. Priority is to secure a
graphic designer that can also do illustration & web design, or work with an illustrator and web
designer
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Project 1 (Develop a marketable identity for SEFCRI): Chantal, Pam, Carol, and Mary
will get PDF file samples from graphic designers and e-mail to Dianne by August 23.
Dianne will collect the samples and distribute to the group and receive feedback by Sept.
6. Dianne suggested the graphic artists present their work to the AA Team.
Chantal stated need to create a subcommittee to develop content for projects 1-5, and to
move forward with needs assessment and get designer on track.
Project 2 (Create and distribute a media packet): Dianne, Carol, and Stephen will
research and have info. by Sept. 6.
David gave information on the Ocean Conservancy media kit online, and Mary gave info
on Sea Grass Tool Kit online (examples of cohesive packages).
Mary - seagrass packets on web-updated every year. Something happens to seagrass and
the media calls Mary. Press can go to updated website with facts and pictures that are
copyright cleared.
David said their media kit has value because it applies to what happens locally. His
group has colorful folders with tiered fact sheets they pass out, for example on coastal
clean-ups or to teachers. Reporters will want information fast. Do not have to have just a
media packet, but an educational packet for everyone. Need to have folders that can be
used for different groups.
Stephen - made 101 pg web based cd with pictures and reports. Media could call Vone
for footage. Good to have it readily accessible.
Dianne stated the need to get the message out to media. Dianne passed around a media
kit produced by Broward County Water Resources Division. These notebooks with info
and cds have not been used as much as they would have liked because of little press or
follow up.
Carol - need newsworthy event to promote media involvement, and have packages ready
to go when something newsworthy happens.
David-need distribution plan (i.e., Keep packets at several AA team offices)
Project 7 (Conduct media excursions): Combine project 2 and 7
Dianne - need someone from each County to help reach local media and those who will
be invited to attend.
(Lisa and Dianne)- take people out from Chambers. Possibility to use concession with
parks boats.
Chantal: dive boats may be willing to take people
Mary: need to take them out frequently
David: need to target decision makers
Mary: talk to other user groups (FDOU, LBSP, MICCI) to find out who they would like
to target. Need input from other groups.
Stephen-serious situation with cyano-bacteria-glass bottom boats ready to go. Knows a
dive boat that holds 60 people will take people out for free.
It could be pointed out the value of the free advertisement for dive operators
Chantal-possibility of using surface video feeds for non-divers & non-snorkelers
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Stephen and Carol-Channel 5 –intermittent series, on Wed. has live “Underwater
Wednesdays” news segment (noon, five, and eleven), often on local or regional coral
issues
Carol-Marine Industries Association would be good partner for this project
David-need to create reef awareness week, if we initiated it, maybe counties would pick it
up as a local effort
Mary –their Seagrass Awareness Month hits all levels to create new hooks; she offered
information needed to get official government proclamations.
Brief discussion ensued whether it would be more advantageous to do it while tourists
were here for the season, or were there other more opportune times during the year. Pam
referred us to ‘Johns Report’ for the different seasons.
Ginny-tie it in with coastal cleanup, dive operators, tourist time for divers etc.
Project 3 (Develop a tent card for coastal hotel rooms): Dianne passed around a tent
card example used in St. Croix hotels and produced by The Nature Conservancy. Cynthia
will create draft facts sheet and David will obtain information on ecological effects of
fishing and coral reef ecology.
When amount for project was questioned, it was pointed out that it would be necessary to
produce many tent cards because there are so many hotels and hotel rooms.
Mary - need to keep it simple. Reef Relief did one too small font, too much info.
David - make up prototype first to see if hotels will use it
Pam - make multi-purpose so can be used for hotels, boat rentals, restaurants.
Project 4 (Develop a traveling portable exhibit)
Chantal - Travel exhibit should be contracted out
Marsha has contact—SD Modular
NOAA and Ocean Conservancy have hologram exhibit
Mary-suggested window shade displays
Probably need 3 displays – at least one for each county
Carol – need to make sure exhibit is convenient enough and portable enough to
encourage use by all AA group members in a variety of settings, not only in exhibit halls,
but also for anyone to take to a school, a government or other organization meeting.
Should also be able to change graphics or message easily. Suggested investigating
“Booth in a Box” which includes its own table, chairs, table drape, all of which fold into
itself with wheels for easy transport by passenger car or commercial means. (Carol also
volunteered that this is the project she would like to work on.)
Chantal stated the projects were overlapping. There is a need to form a content sub-committee to
determine message we need to get out in order to proceed with the projects. We need to
determine exactly what the message is that we want to get out; mentioned by the group were
those such as (a) there are reefs in the area; (b) there are problems with our reefs; and (c)
what/how can we help our reefs. We also need to know what messages are desired by the other
three focus teams.
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Content Committee: David White, Cynthia Guerra, Dianne Behringer, Carol Fretwell,
Stephen Attis (video, photos), Chantal Collier, Kelly Gracie, Roberto Torres
List of appropriate coral reef contacts at State, Fed, Local agencies: Chantal & Kelly
Video Footage Catalog: Stephen
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Coral reef ecology: David
Coral Reef “good” facts economical, ecological & impacts: Roberto
Facts and references: Cynthia
Threats to Reefs (from State of the Reefs Report): Carol
IX. Next SEFCRI Focus Team Meetings
Thursday, September 30, 2004 – AA Meeting from 1-5 pm. at Broward Co. Sea Grant Extension
office.
October 4, 2004 – Navigators Meeting with Mark Amaral
October 5, 2004 – SEFAST & Issue Teams meet to review, refine and prioritize SEFCRI LAS
November 4, 2004 – Public Stakeholder meeting to review and comment on revised LAS
November 5, 2004 – SEFAST & Issue Teams meet to incorporate public comments into final
LAS
Other items:
Carol gave information and handouts on USCRTF awards for contributions to protection and
conservation of coral reef ecosystems on the community level and another for outstanding
awareness and education, and Dianne gave information on the Sept. 13 Sustainable Diving &
Snorkeling Practices Workshop
Handouts were also made available on NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program website and
International Coral Reef Information Network library.
Action Items:
¾ August 23 – e-mail PDF file samples from graphic designer to Dianne: Chantal, Pam,
Carol, and Mary
September 6 - Feedback from the group
¾ September 6 - Contact groups that do assessments: Ginny & Kelly
¾ September 6 - Research avenues for creating and distributing a media packet: Dianne,
Carol, and Stephen
¾ September 30 - List of appropriate coral reef contacts at State, Fed, Local agencies:
Chantal & Kelly
¾ Available - Video Footage Catalog: Stephen
¾ September 30 - Coral reef ecology: David
¾ September 30 - Coral Reef “good” facts economical, ecological & impacts: Roberto
¾ September 30 – Economic benefits of Coral reefs, Facts and references: Cynthia
¾ September 30 - Threats to Reefs (from State of the Reefs Report): Carol
¾ Assessment Project: The project leads will gather information within 1 month (September 6)
ƒ the AA team will evaluate prospective proposals/costs for the needs assessment.