2015 NW FL Artificial Reef Summit Jim is First on the Left.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the University of Florida/Florida Sea Grant would like to announce the date for the Florida Northwest Coast Artificial Reef Manager’s Workshop. This meeting will bring together about fifty artificial reef managers, scientists and others interested in artificial reefs to discuss new research, statewide initiatives and regional updates for Florida’s Northwest region. The meeting will be held at the Okaloosa County Extension Office in Crestview, FL. Registration information and the draft agenda will follow shortly. Cost is $15.00 and includes conference handouts, light continental breakfast with coffee, lunch, and afternoon refreshments. A limited number of exhibit tables/spaces will be available. For more information, please contact Laura Tiu, lgtiu@ufl.edu or 850-612-6197. What: Northwest Florida Artificial Reef Workshop Tentative Agenda Date: February 22, 2017 Where: UF/IFAS Okaloosa County Extension Office, 3098 Airport RoadCrestview, FL 32539 Moderators: Chris Verlinde – Santa Rosa County, Florida Sea Grant and Laura Tiu – Okaloosa and Walton Counties, Florida Sea Grant 8:15 Meet and Greet 9:00 Welcome and Introductions – Laura Tiu & Keith Mille, FWC 9:25 Regional and National Artificial Reef Updates – Keith Mille 9:50 Invasive Lionfish Trends, Impacts, and Potential Mitigation on Panhandle Artificial Reefs – Kristen Dahl, University of Florida 10:20 Valuing Artificial Reefs in Northwest Florida – Bill Huth, University of West Florida 10:40 BREAK 11:00 County Updates (6 min each) Representatives will provide a brief overview of recent activities and plans 12:00 LUNCH (included with registration) and Group Photo 1:00 NRDA NW Florida Artificial Reef Creation and Restoration Project Update – Alex Fogg, FWC 1:15 Goliath Grouper Preferences for Artificial Reefs: An Opportunity for Citizen Science – Angela Collins, FL, Sea Grant 1:45 Current Research and Perspectives on Artificial Reefs and Fisheries – Will Patterson, University of Florida & Bill Lindberg, University of Florida 3:00 BREAK 3:30 Association Between Habitat Quantity and Quality and Exploited Reef Fishes: Implications for Retrospective Analyses and Future Survey Improvements – Sean Keenan, FWRI 3:50 Innovations in Artificial Reef Design and Use – Robert Turpin, facilitator 4:10 Using Websites and Social Media to Promote Artificial Reef Program Engagement – Bob Cox, Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association & Scott Jackson, Bay County Florida Sea Grant 4:40 Wrap Up and Next Steps – Keith Mille and Scott Jackson 5:00 Adjourn & Networking For your convenience, there is a block of 10 rooms saved at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Crestview for February 21 & 22. The rate is $75.00/night for two queens or $85.00/night for a king. Breakfast is included. Smoke-free hotel. Call hotel and register your name and information under the University of Florida Artificial Reef Conference. Comfort Inn Southcrest Drive, Crestview, FL, 32536, Phone: (850) 682-1481 https://www.choicehotels.com/florida/crestview/comfort-inn-hotels/flb64 Bring Tax exempt forms if applicable and present upon check-in. All cancellations by February 21 @ 4:00 pm Feel free to arrange accommodations at any hotel, there are many in Crestview to choose from.
