ORCP Division Page Blocks
Submitted by Pearson_E on October 25, 2017 - 4:30pm
The Florida Oceans and Coastal Council was created by the 2005 Legislature through the Oceans and Coastal Resources Act.
The council is charged with developing priorities for ocean and coastal research and establishing a statewide ocean research plan. The council also coordinates public and private ocean research for more effective coastal management.
Oyster reefs are built primarily by the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Oyster reefs are built via the successive reproduction and settlement of larvae onto hard structures such as existing oyster reefs, pilings, rocks, downed trees and recycled oyster shell. Thus, with continued settlement and subsequent generational growth, oysters may form massive reef structures in estuarine systems.
Thanks to generous funding from the Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf of Mexico Program, the Florida Coastal Management Program, the Garcon Point Restoration Trust Fund, the Gulf of Mexico Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Ocean's Initiative, the DEP seagrass restoration program has attempted to reduce seagrass degradation and to restore the seagrass beds along the Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle. The DEP seagrass restoration program consists of three components: salvage, laboratory tissue culture and aquaculture.
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