Winter 2008 - Volume 23 Number 4

Federal and local officials have launched an
investigation into the recent dolphin deaths plaguing
Brevard County since mid-May. From Palm Bay to
Oak Hill, 43 dolphins have died while another 3
have been reported in the southern end of Volusia
County’s Mosquito Lagoon. The deaths are more
than double the average rate causing the National
Marine Fisheries Service to declare an “Unusual
Mortality Event (UME).”
Lagoon dolphins have experienced only one
previous UME in 2001 when 29 animals died in
June and July 2001. Although not confirmed, the
current suspect of the UME in 2001 was a saxitoxin
produced by Pyrodidium bahamense, the same
toxin responsible for the Puffer Fish poisoning in
2002. Pyrodidium blooms have become problematic
in the Lagoon since 2002, closely following the 2001
dolphin dieoff.
Animal autopsies performed on the dolphins
revealed that most had been emaciated, with little to
no food in their stomachs while some have had
respiratory problems and brain lesions in others.
Newborns and older males seem to be the most at
risk. Scientists have been unable to confirm a toxin
as the cause because most of the dolphins were too
decomposed to get a good tissue sample for
analysis.
The
Other possible causes are man-made contaminants
such as pesticide runoff and mercury.
Recent
studies have found that lagoon dolphins have
mercury levels 21 times over the limit allowed for
human consumption in fish. Mercury poisoning can
lead to impairment in vision, lack of coordination of
movements, muscle weakness, skin rashes, and
mental disturbances.
Excessive levels can
permanently damage or fatally injure the brain and
kidneys. Newborns would become susceptible to
high mercury concentrations from its mother’s milk
while nursing.
Infectious diseases such as viruses and bacteria
are also another possibility that has not been ruled
out. Dolphins in the lagoon have been suffering from
a mix of emerging ailments including genital tumors,
stomach ulcers, fungal growths, heart problems and
viral infections that can lead to cancer and suppress
the immune system.
Two of the most recent
diseases are a chronic fungal infection called
lobomycosis and a tumor-inducing herpes virus.
Since tropical storm Fay and its record rainfall total,
only 4 dolphin deaths have been reported which is
considered normal for the time frame since Fay. It is
believed that the reduction in salinity or other effects
of Fay on water quality could have inhibited the
growth of a microorganism, disease or virus.
All associated with nitrogen & phosphorus pollution.
NEWS
OF
THE
INDIAN
RIVER
LAGOON
WINTER
2008
VOL 23
N O. 4
PHOTO
CREDIT
FWC
Karlodinium
veneficum
produces the fish toxin karlotoxin.
Forms dense, fast forming blooms
that are toxic to fish in highly
nutrient rich environments but a
‘triggering factor’ has yet to be
identified.
Karlodinium is well
known to bloom rapidly when
exposed to nutrients and prefers a
salinity between 4-20 ppt. The karlotoxins break open
red blood cells and are lethal to fish by damaging their
gill tissue.
Karenia brevis produces Red Tide
and
the
neurotoxin
called
Brevetoxin. Is responsible for the
mass die-off of fish, birds,
manatees and dolphins (most
recently in fall 2007 when 9
dolphins
washed
ashore).
Produces respiratory problems in
humans. It can tolerate salinity from
24 to 37 ppt. (2.4 - 3.7 % salt) with optimum growth
between 31-37 ppt. Prefers temps between 72 - 82
degrees F ( 22-28 degrees C). K. brevis can cause
neurotoxic shellfish posioning (NSP) in humans by
consuming toxin-laden shellfish. Originally thought to
be the main culprit in 2008 but scientists haven’t found
high levels of the toxin in the dead dolphins.
Prorocentrum minimum produces
Mahogany Tide and the toxin
okadaic acid. Produces tumors in
laboratory mice and might be
associated with tumors in sea
turtles and perhaps dolphins.
Potentially toxic to humans with
rare cases of Venerupin Shellfish
Poisoning. Symptoms include
reduced liver function, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased
white cell production. It can also severely reduce the
amount of oxygen available in the water causing fish kills
and irritation from high cell concentrations.
Pseudo-nitzschia calliantha Produces the toxin domoic acid in
the Pacific Ocean but has not been
documented to produce it in the
Lagoon as of yet. Typically
associated with turbulent waters
during windy or stormy days. It can
do well with reduced sunlight and
outcompete other species requiring more light. Periods
of high winds that suspend sediments clouding the water
and stirring up nutrients are ideal conditions for this
species. Pseudo-nitzschia does well in environments
with high nitrate and low chlorophyll levels which can
cause them to grow quickly into large blooms.
Pyrodinium
bahamense
var.
bahamense, originally thought not to
produce any toxins until the 2002 Indian
River Lagoon Puffer Fish Poisonings.
Now known to produce a toxin called
saxitoxin. Saxitoxin causes paralytic
shellfish poisoning (PSP) when eaten, a
potentially lethal condition in humans.
Both shellfish and pufferfish can
concentrate the saxitoxin to dangerous levels. Research over
the past 10 years in the lagoon suggests that periods of
elevated rainfall favor the formation of blooms by providing
pulses of nutrients from the surrounding land and by lowering
salinities, which provides an advantage over species less
tolerant to salinity changes. They grow slowly but have the
ability to store nutrients and can sustain its numbers due to low
grazing rates.
Takayama sp. It is suspected that there
are two species, T. pulchella and T.
tasmanica, in the Indian River Lagoon.
Takayama sp. are known to break cell
membranes allowing bacteria to obtain
nutrients from a cell. Takayama pulchella
is a coastal/ estuarine toxic species
associated with fish kills, human
respiratory irritation, and fish toxin. Recurrent blooms of
dinoflagellates in the same place, and year after year, typically
indicates a seed population surviving in the sediment. In
Florida, this species has occurred in bloom proportions at one
location on the Indian River Lagoon in 1990, 1996, and 2004.
Homo sapiens (also known as humans
and Pollutimous maximus) Prefers deep
green
lawns
heavily
soaked
in
groundwater and pesticides. Releases
excessive amounts of nitrogen and
phosphorus from fertilizers and septic
tanks. A single pound of fertilizer released
by humans can grow over 500 pounds of
algae in the lagoon. The US EPA
estimates that the Indian River Lagoon
receives over 3 million pounds of nitrogen
per year, over a million pounds more than what it can absorb
and still maintain its functions. Much of this nitrogen is coming
from quick release fertilizers that dissolve in the first rainfall and
wash out into the lagoon. The EPA also estimates that the
Indian River Lagoon receives over 400,000 pounds of
phosphorous per year, over 200,000 pounds more than it can
absorb and still maintain its functions. Florida homeowners
unknowingly pay for and apply over 8,000 tons of phosphorous
a year when most lawns require little or no phosphorous. This
species also contributes dangerous bacteria, viruses and
infectious diseases into the lagoon through the use of septic
tanks placed too close to waterbodies and in places with
groundwater levels too high to allow the septic tanks to function
properly.
US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS)
through the North American Wetlands
Conservation Act has funded MRC's efforts
in eradicating pepper on 40 acres of Lagoon
shoreline. Invasive exotics like Brazilian
Pepper shade out critical native vegetation
and provide suitable habitat and food
sources for native animals. MRC staff and
and volunteers remove the invasives and
plant desirable natives like mangroves in
their place.
This project's target areas
include the Brevard Museum of History and
Natural Sciences (on the shoreline of
Clearlake, Cocoa's first water supply), Merritt
Island National Wildlife Refuge (140,000
acres of critical habitat for 15 Federally listed
species). Pelican Island National Wildlife
Refuge (the Nations First Wildlife Refuge)
and Dale Wimbrow Park. In the photo to the
right volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 417
help MRC staff remove cut pepper trees.
Rockwell Collins, USFWS, & MRC Plant 3,500 Native Plants
MRC's partnership with Rockwell Collins' "Green
Communities" program along with USFWS plant 3500
native plants. In one event 1000 natives were planted
within Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge the
Nation’s first Wildlife Refuge and the first refuge
specifically designated for protection of breeding habitat
for birds. In the picture to the left volunteers from
Rockwell Collins are planting red mangroves critical for
protecting the shoreline and creating bird and fish
habitat. These native plants provide essential habitat
and food for native animals and are a key component to
the lagoon ecosystem. The prop roots from mangroves
provide critical nursery habitat for small fish, reduce soil
erosion, and provide places for clams and oysters to
attach. Volunteer efforts such as these are a major
contribution to restoring the Lagoon to its ideal
conditions.
Each fall MRC volunteers take their time to collect
Mangrove Propagules to be planted along the Lagoon
shoreline. 10's of thousands of mangroves are planted
each year the majority of our mangroves come from
volunteers. This Year Girl Scout Troop 716 collected
over 2000 mangroves to donate to MRC. The photo to
the right shows these volunteers collecting red
mangrove propagules. Troop 716 is going to continue
their good works by potting and planting the mangroves
that they collected in upcoming months. MRC will be
rewarding these diligent environmental stewards with a
pizza party. To find out how you or your group can
make a difference call MRC (321) 725-7775.
3
Marine Resources Council goes all
out for 25th Anniversary
Indian River County’s Trash Filtration
System Wins Project of the Year!
The Marine Resources Council celebrated their 25th
The Lagoon Trash Filtration System (Indian River County)
anniversary on October 18th. Over 200 people were in
diverts most of the canal flow going into the Lagoon into a
attendance to enjoy the over 40 venders, two live bands,
system of screens. Water passes through screens but garbage
and other fun
and debris is trapped and taken to the county
activities.
Michael
landfill. The project also uses the freshwater
Sole Secretary of
plants, water lettuce and duckweed, to
the
Florida
absorb 12 percent of the nitrogen and 17
Department
of
percent of the phosphorus from the canal
Environmental
water before it can make it into the Lagoon.
Protection presented
This new system will stop any unwanted
the
awards
for
material from falling into the river, improving
Lagoon Project of
the health of the Lagoon. Read page 5 in the
the
Year
and
newsletter to learn more about the
Volunteer of the
importance of keeping clean our Indian River
Year. Frank Wegel
Lagoon.
from
Sebastian
received the Albert
Tuttle Award for
DEP Secretary Michael Sole presents Project of the Year
Outstanding Service
award to Indian River County’s Trash Filtration System.
to the Indian River
Lagoon by a Volunteer. Bob
Day of the Indian River Lagoon
Program received the Paul
Kroegel Award for Outstanding
Service to the Indian River
Lagoon by a Government
Employee.
Dave Botto of
Satellite Beach received the
Stan Blum Award for Lifetime
Service to the Indian River
Lagoon. Tony Sasso won the
FPL Award for Outstanding
Service to the Indian River
Lagoon by an Elected Official.
Photo at right shows
Secretary
Michael
Sole
addressing the crowd inside
the Lagoon House.
Coastal Angler Magazine Gets Kids Hooked on
Fishing
As part of the days festivities the Crew from Coastal Angler
Magazine put on a Hook Kids on Fishing demonstration for the
kids attending the Anniversary bash. In the photo to the left,
Stuart Patterson of Melbourne teaches the children how to fish.
The Hook Kids on Fishing program is part of an educational
outreach by the nonprofit Anglers For Conservation. For more
information on the AFC and how to become involved with its
efforts contact the Executive Director, Barb Eager, at
AnglersforConservation@gmail.com.
4
Thank you to all Our Sponsors:
FLORIDA TODAY, FPL, Parrish Medical Center, Le
Cordon Bleu Orlando Culinary Academy, Sky
Advertising, Coca-Cola of Brevard, Coastal Angler
Magazine, On-Call Fitness, Acoostica, West Marine.
Below LeCordon Bleu Culinary Academy catered hot and cold
th
horderves for the attendees of the MRC’s 25 anniversary. Also
below one of the 40 vendors, Jungle Jim, shows off an alligator to
some of the attendees.
Bob Day Wins the PAUL KROEGAL AWARD
for Outstanding Service to the Indian River
Lagoon by a Government Employee
Bob Day began working for the Florida Department
of Environmental Regulation and was involved in several
of FDER’s regulatory programs before accepting a
position as a biologist with Brevard County. While
employed by Brevard County, Bob was involved in
water, sediment, and biological quality monitoring;
development and implementation of several resource
assessment, protection and management programs and
growth management plan and ordinance development.
After several years with the County, Bob joined the
Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program,
participating in the implementation of a regional effort to
protect and restore the resources of the Indian River
Lagoon.
Legislator Bill Posey
(right) attended.
His
efforts to get funding for the
Lagoon House through the
legislature were side tracked
by a veto but it created the
momentum
that
later
succeeded through grant
funds from the National
Scenic Byway Program,
Florida Inland Navigation
District, Florida DOT and the
City of Palm Bay.
5
THE
Report from Indian River Lagoonwatch
Dolphin Deaths
Salinity (ppt)
Apr-01
Jun-01
Jul-01
Aug-01
Sep-01
May-01
Jun-01
Jul-01
Aug-01
Sep-01
Jun-01
Jul-01
Aug-01
Sep-01
8.0
Dissolved Oxygen
Dolphin deaths were at their highest when Nitrogen and
Chlorophyll A levels were at their highest. Chlorophyll A levels
are a general measure of how much green living things are
growing in the water, it tends to go up in the summer months due
to higher temperatures and increased sunshine and really spike
during algal blooms. Salinity levels started out high during the
2001 dieoff and as salinities dropped to about 20 ppt (2.0%) the
dieoff ended. Dissolved oxygen levels were very near 2.0 mg/l
during the dieoff period. As oxygen levels drop below 2.0 fish
dieoff due to lack of oxygen. One of the reasons the dying
dolphins were starving was that fish would be harder to come by
due to the low oxygen levels.
If we compare this evidence to the suspects from page 2:
Karlodinium prefers salinities below 20 ppt, and the 2001 dieoff
occurred in higher salinities and seemed to end when salinities
reached that level, so it was not a prime suspect in 2001.
Pseudo-nitizschia prefers the high nitrogen found during the
dieoff but prefers low chlorophyll levels which were high during
the dieoff. Karenia brevis (which causes red tide) prefers high
salinities, but it was not found in any of the dolphins and there
were no reports of the effects of Red Tide. Similarly Takayama
is associated with human respiratory problems which were not
reported and was not detected in lagoon waters at the time.
Prorocentrum, produces Mahogany tide and also was not
detected in lagoon waters. The toxic algae Pyrodinium can
tolerate a wide range of salinities and tend to bloom when pulses
of nutrients are washed into the lagoon from rainfall events. It
was found in high concentration in the Lagoon at the time and
found in a few of the dolphin. It was also associated with making
the puffer fish poisonous during this time period by releasing
saxitoxin. The presence of a pufferfish in a dead dolphin added
to the theory that Pyrodinium was the most likely culprit in 2001.
Whatever toxic algae pulled the trigger on the dolphins,
Humans were the likely accomplices since without the excess
nitrogen and phosphorous we added to the lagoon through
fertilizers and septic tanks the toxic algae bloom would not likely
6
have occurred in the first place.
May-01
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
Apr-01 May-01
Total Nitrogen (mg/L)
What Does the Evidence Suggest?
Apr-01
Chlorophyll a (ug/L)
Currently scientists from different agencies are analyzing water
quality and data from harmful algal blooms to try to find the
culprit in the recent dolphin dieoff. The Cocoa/Titusville area of
the Lagoon has a history of Pyrodinium blooms, one of the
possible suspects. In 2001, 60 dolphins died in this area during
a similar unexplained event, with 29 dying in June July and Aug.
As in this year, most of the dead dolphins showed signs of
starvation and were very badly decomposed when they were
found, making conclusions very difficult.
On the right are
graphs showing the peak months when dolphin were dying in
2001 and comparison of the water quality in the local area during
these months. Salinity, dissolved oxygen and water temperature
are collected by MRC volunteers and the other water quality data
was collected by the St Johns Water Management District.
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Apr-01 May-01 Jun-01 Jul-01 Aug-01 Sep-01
40
30
20
10
0
Apr-01
May-01
Jun-01
Jul-01
Date
Aug-01
Sep-01
32
Water
Temp.
(C)(C)
Water
Temp.
The Lagoonwatch Program is supported by a grant from the
Indian River Lagoon Program and the US EPA
Cocoa 2001
32
30
30
28
28
26
26
24
24
22
22
20
20
Apr-01 Apr-01
May-01
May-01Jun-01
Jun-01 Jul-01
Jul-01
Aug-01 Sep-01
Sep-01
Aug-01
Titusville 2008
The Evidence for the 2008 Dolphin Deaths
D olphin Deaths
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Apr-08
May-08
Jun-08
Jul-08
Aug-08
Sep-08
May-08
Jun-08
Jul-08
Aug-08
Sep-08
May-08
Jun-08
Jul-08
Aug-08
Sep-08
0.0
Apr-08 May-08
Jun-08
Jul-08
Aug-08
Sep-08
Salinity (ppt)
35
30
25
20
15
DO (mg/L)
Apr-08
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
Chlorophyll a (ug/L)
Nitrogen (mg/L)
Apr-08
3.0
2.0
1.0
36
30
24
18
12
6
0
Apr-08
Help Stop the Dolphin Deaths!
May-08
Jun-08
Jul-08
Aug-08
Sep-08
32
Water Temp. (C)
30
28
26
24
22
20
Apr-08
The Dolphin deaths in 2001 and 2008 both happened in the
same area of the lagoon during the same months in spring and
summer and the dolphin had similar signs of starvation. Was the
culprit the same toxic algae? As in 2001, when salinities
dropped suddenly (due to rainfall from Tropical Storm Fay, the
dolphin deaths declined rapidly. Unlike 2001, Dissolved oxygen
levels were not particularly low with levels ranging between 4
and 8 mg/l which is not unusual for the warm summer months.
In 2001 the dieoff ended as water temps increased while water
temps peaked during the dieoff of 2008.
Nitrogen and
Chlorophyll A levels did not peak during the 2008 dieoff as they
did in 2001.
Pseudo-nitizchia does well in low chlorophyll conditions but it
is an unlikely suspect in 2008 since it is associated with turbulent
waters during windy or stormy days and the dieoff ended just as
Tropical Storm Fay stirred up the lagoon. Karlodinium is an
unlikely suspect since it prefers salinities less than 20 ppt. (2%
salt) and the dieoff ended just as salinities were dropping to
these levels. There were no reported respiratory problems in
humans associated with the event to suggest that Karenia was
present causing a Red Tide, Prorocentrum causing a
Mahogany Tide, or Takayama causing respiratory irritation.
The relatively low levels of chlorophyll A in 2008 compared to
2001 suggest that the total amount of algae in the water was
probably less in 2008. The dolphin dieoff actually peters out just
as Chlorophyll a levels start to rise in 2008. There was a bloom
of Pyrodinium in the lagoon in August just before Fay diluted
the lagoon and the dieoff ended. The Saxitoxin produced by
Pyrodinium was found in many of the dead dolphin but in levels
too low to conclude it was the cause of death. The dead dolphin
also had extremely high levels of mercury. It is possible that the
2008 dieoff was caused by something other than a toxic algal
bloom such as a disease, bacteria or virus but the degree of
decomposition of the dolphins was too great to pinpoint any of
these causes.
So the jury is still out on the 2008 deaths but whatever the
cause, Humans are still a likely accomplice. Besides nitrogen
and phosphorous from fertilizers, humans have added bacteria,
viruses and diseases directly into the lagoon from sceptic tanks.
Recent studies have shown that as many as half of the dolphin in
the lagoon are impacted by infectious diseases.
May-08
Jun-08
Jul-08
Aug-08
Sep-08
Stop using fertilizers with phosphorous and quick release
nitrogen. Do not let animal or yard wastes wash into the lagoon
or canals that drain into the lagoon. Throwing bread into water
bodies increases the harmful bacteria in the waterbody. Have
your sceptic tanks pumped out every three years. Get off the
Tank and hook up to sewer systems when available, it is
expensive but the illness you prevent may be your own.
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR DISTRESSED DOLPHINS
• If you see a dolphin that's dead or in distress, immediately call
Florida Fish and Wildlife hot line: (888) 404-3922.
• Signs that a dolphin is in distress include: a newborn by itself
for a long period of time, animals that aren't moving or having
trouble breathing, especially in shallow water.
• Time is critical: The sooner researchers can examine an
animal, alive or dead, the better their chances of determining the
cause of the death.
7
Until the early 1980s Florida had done very little to manage its marine fisheries. Recreational and commercial anglers
were allowed to harvest huge numbers of our state’s prize game fish. For example, a recreational angler could legally
take 50 red fish and 50 spotted sea trout daily provided that each fish was at least 12 inches long. Commercial
fishermen could take virtually unlimited quantities of nearly every fish swimming in our waters. In the 1980s the Marine
Fisheries Commission was formed. Over the next 20 years the MFC put into place new laws and regulations limiting the
take of many saltwater species of particular interest. Both recreational and commercial anglers were affected by these
changes. In the mid 1990s Florida’s voters passed a constitutional amendment that outlawed all entanglement nets in
Florida’s waters. Along with that major change, many recreational anglers began practicing catch and release ethics.
One would expect that these improvements would have had the effect of maintaining and even increasing our marine
fisheries. And they did for awhile. But by 2008 populations of several of our game fish, including the ever-popular
snook and red fish, had not recovered as well as state fisheries managers would like. Even with great increases of
game fish protection, catch and release and conversation ethics, game fish numbers continue to decline. It has become
obvious that while we have greatly reduced fishing pressures on Florida’s world class fisheries we have done very little
to limit the negative development and population growth along watersheds, wetlands and estuaries. Over the last thirty
years our state has suffered significant deterioration of water and habitat quality so necessary for the survival of our
marine resources. For this reason I believe it is time for our state to better deal with the problems associated with urban
sprawl, coastal development and wetlands intrusion that is destroying what is left of our limited fishery resources by
developing a new ecosystem based management plan for the next fifty years.
Fun, Free and Informative! Join us at the Bro wn Bag Ed ucatio nal Events
LAGOON HOUSE BROWN BAG - Every Tuesday at Noon
Dec
Dec
Jan
Jan
Jan
Jan
Feb
Feb
Feb
Feb
23
30
06
13
20
27
03
10
17
24
*******Merry Christmas No Brown Bag*******
*******Happy New Year No Brown Bag*******
Crocodiles and Alligators - Jungle Jim Green
Space Coast Birding Festival - Bob Day, Brevard Nature Alliance
Tsunami and Hurricanes, the Untold Story - Jim Egan, MRC with a special skit by The Cape Crusaders
Turtles Come and Turtles Go - “Fishy” Dan Wagner, Mother Ocean Organization
Brevard County Maritime Management Master Plan - Matt Culver, Brevard County
Pet Waste in IRL - Kathy Hill, St. Johns River Water Management District
Ocean Energy – Waves, Tides, Currents, Thermal Differences, and Winds - Dr. George Maul, F.I.T.
Watersheds – Know the Flow - Kathy LaMartina, St. Johns River Water Management District
COCOA BEACH BROWN BAG –2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at Noon
Dec 25
Jan 08
Jan 22
Feb 12
*******Merry Christmas No Brown Bag*******
Why Introduced Species Cause Harm. Live Alligators & Snakes - Jungle Jim Green
Water Conservation - Ed Garland, St. John’s River Water Management District
Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, Local Natural History, Native Cultures, Pioneers - Ray Osborne, Director,
Local History Club
Feb 26 Planting Mangroves to Protect the Shoreline- a hands on demonstration – Chris Lindo, Marine
Resources Council
GRANT BROWN BAG – 1st and 3 rd Friday of the month at Fisherman’s Landing Park at Noon
Jan
Jan
Feb
Feb
02
16
06
20
********Happy New Year No Brown Bag********
Crocodiles and Alligators - Jungle Jim Green
Water Quality in the Indian River Lagoon – Beth McMillen, Marine Resources Council
TBA
City of SEBASTIAN BROWN BAG – Last Friday of the month at Riverview Park Gazebo at Noon
Jan 30
Feb 27
Crocodiles and Alligators - Jungle Jim Green
Keeping Trash out of the Lagoon - Keith McCulley, Indian River County
8
Rockledge Seeks to put Treated Sewage in
Drinking Water Aquifer
Ralph Hollis of MRC Has Fish Named After Him
The Coordinator for MRC's Boaters for a Healthy
Lagoon Program, Ralph Hollis, has had the unusual
honor of having a species of deep-sea fish named after
him.
The fish Thermichthys hollisi Ralph is in the
Subfamily: Bythitinae. Scientists awarded him this special
gesture because while he was pilot of the deep-sea
submersible, the Alvin, Ralph went to unusual lengths to
obtain an example of it and advance our understanding of
deep ocean species. Ralph Hollis was Captain of the
submersible that discovered the deep sea ocean trenches
and was also Captain when the submersible discovered
the wreckage of the Titanic. If you have not heard his
tales at one of our Brown Bags you are missing an
opportunity to hear how history was made by the man who
helped make it! (Ralph is a modest man this article may
make him blush!)
The City of Rockledge plans to inject partially treated
sewage into the Floridan drinking water aquifer for the
purpose of irrigating lawns. The biggest problem found in
ASR wells in Florida is that they introduce water
containing oxygen into groundwater that does not contain
it and that causes Arsenic to be removed from the
aquifer’s rock formation and introduced into the
groundwater. ASR well water can be treated to remove
arsenic before it is used but it still leaves a high
percentage of arsenic-contaminated water in the aquifer.
Not normally tested for, but known to sometimes be found
in this type of wastewater are endocrine disrupters such
as birth control chemicals, caffeine, prescription drugs, fire
suppression chemicals and a host of others that are found
in very trace amounts but can cause human and animal
impacts at even trace amounts.
ASR wells create groundwater changes that can result
in direct, indirect and secondary and cumulative impacts
to marine species according to recent studies. Studies
also found the man-made groundwater changes could
result in significant physical, chemical and biological
changes in the marine ecosystem including 1)
predisposing organisms to disease via decreasing their
resistance, 2) the introduction of new pathogens into the
groundwater and surface waters they come in contact
with, 3) promoting the rapid antagonistic evolution of
microbes, and 4) introducing hazardous chemicals,
including endocrine disrupters.
Concerns about ASR wells from the National
Groundwater Association include: What type of treatment
is necessary to ensure that no pathogens will survive in
groundwater? Will disinfection lead to the formation of
carcinogenic compounds that will move to broader ground
water areas? What information is needed to ensure that
the water being recharged is geochemically and
microbiologically compatible with native ground water?
Unanticipated reactions may lead to poor-quality water,
biomass formation, pathogen growth and well clogging.
What monitoring will be required to ensure that
unforeseen water-quality problems do not affect broader
ground water resources?
How will communities be
assured that the recharged water will not adversely affect
other aquifers or surface water bodies? Due to concerns
like these the State of Georgia has banned ASR wells into
the very same Floridan Aquifer.
Dr. Kenaston was a long-time member of the MRC
Board of Directors, a concerned and very
knowledgeable supporter of the Indian River Lagoon.
He was a dedicated physician with a private pediatric
practice and a dedicated family man. His passing will
be greatly missed.
New Reefs Found Near Cape Canaveral
-TCPalm
An expedition to explore deep-water coral reefs off
th
Florida’s east coast returned late on December 10 to the
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institure having discovered
three major Lophelia reefs 50 miles off Cape Canaveral
using state-of-the-art autonomous underwater vehicles
(AUV). The AUVs can carry two types of sonar and a
camera to map the ocean floor by tracking back and forth
over the bottom – called “mowing the lawn” – along a
programmed course.
The AUVs working off Harbor Branch’s Seward Johnson
research vessel mapped two reefs in an area where
current charts show a flat ocean bottom. On December
14, a previously unknown reef that reaches 120 feet from
the ocean floor was discovered.
Global Warming Could Impact Florida’s Drinking
Water Supply - TCPalm
If climatologists are right, much of the damage to
Florida’s water supply will take place out of sight, in the
underground aquifers that provide most of the state’s
drinking water. As rising seas from Global warming nibble
at the state’s coastline, saltwater intrusion will also creep
steadily inland. Florida’s climate has already begun to
change. Saltwater fish are swimming father upstream,
while saltwater mangroves invade freshwater marshes.
Rainfall has become less predictable and rivers and
reservoirs are at near-historic lows.
The International Panel on Climate Change predicts that
as the climate warms, oceans will expand, pushing sea
levels up by nine to twenty-three inches by the end of the
century. The estimate doesn’t include glacial melting.
The damage underground could move faster and cause
more devastation. A state like Florida, which heavily
pumps its groundwater, could see even faster intrusion
and freshwater supplies become brackish and
undrinkable.
The scientific uncertainty often gets
subsumed into the political battle between those who
believe climate change is a natural cycle and those who
believe that it’s man-made.
9
23 Calves Born Last Winter Season
The 2007-2008 right whale calving season started early last
year for volunteers. The first whales appeared in our area
earlier than usual, and the peak for sightings occurred in the
latter half of January instead of mid-February, which had been
the peak for the previous seven seasons.
In the entire southeast region, from South Carolina to
Florida, survey teams confirmed 19 mother and calf right whale
pairs. In addition to these 38 whales, about another 135,
mostly juveniles, were tentatively identified. Four additional
mothers were identified during the summer, bringing the final
calf count to 23.
Disney and Brevard Zoo Support Volunteers
The 2008-2009 season has begun with funding from the
Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund and the Brevard Zoo.
Disney has continued to support the right whale hotline and the
education of the Florida public for several years. The Brevard
Zoo awarded MRC funding for GPS units for our scheduled
whale watch teams. The combined funding from these
dedicated conservation organizations is greatly appreciated!
Right Whale Gifts for Any Occasion
Give a loved one a unique right whale gift from MRC's Right
Whale Program. With donations as little as $15 you can
receive gifts such as sterling silver jewelry, tote bags, T-shirts,
books, belts, toys, and key chains.
Please call the whale
hotline (888-97-WHALE) for more information.
10
HBOI Funds Right Whale Research at MRC
For the fifth year in a row, Harbor Branch
Oceanographic Institution has awarded MRC with
$50,000 from the sale of the Protect Florida Whale
specialty license plates. This funding is shared with
Associated Scientists at Woods Hole, who confirms
sightings in the St. Augustine area in response to calls
that come into MRC's right whale hotline. Verification of
the calls are accomplished with the use of photographic
equipment purchased with HBOI's grant money, or with
the AirCam aircraft, also supported by HBOI. We
cannot thank HBOI enough for their support of our
unique volunteer right whale program!
Ships Slow to Avoid Right Whales
As of December 9, 2008, any vessel 65 feet or longer
now has to slow to 10 knots or less within the critical
habitats of North Atlantic right whales. First proposed
in 2004, the "Final Ship Strike Rule" has been
published in the Federal Register.
Scientists,
lawmakers, and members of the shipping industry and
public have been working together to protect right
whales from ship strikes, while creating as little impact
as possible to the economy.
This ruling applies
seasonally to the southeast and northeast right whale
critical habitats. There are exceptions for bad weather
to ensure proper safety for vessels and humans. There
are also exceptions for state enforcement and
sovereign vessels. At the end of five years, the ruling
may or may not renew, or may have changes applied.
Right next to South Patrick Hardware and
across from Hoagies Doubles
Marine Resources Council
New Address: 1851 S. Patrick Drive
Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937
Antiques *Artwork *Clothing * Small Appliances *Jewelry *Bric-a-Brac *Books
*Toys *Household Items *Furniture *Collectibles
All donations are tax deductible and support MRC projects
Hours: Tues.- Fri. 10am-5pm Sat. 10am-3pm
For more info or to have donated items picked up, call 321-779-0590
Your Ad Could Be Here!
$25/Quarterly
$90/Yearly
Please call!
(321) 725-7775
LINDA MARTIN, PH.D., P.A.
PSYCHOLOGIST
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST
SEX THERAPIST
630 Brevard Avenue Suite 100
Cocoa FL 32922
Phone: (321) 433-1466
Fax: (321) 433-1467
Looking for a tax write-off for the end
of the year? Donate your boat, car,
truck, RV or plane to the MRC. For
more info, please call MRC at
(321) 725 - 7775.
Please Cut Here
Yes, I want to be a member of the Marine Resources Council. Enclosed is a check for the following membership:
____ Guardian
$1,000
Name:_______________________________________________________________
____ Patron
$500
Company:________________________________ Title:______________________
____ Sponsor
$250
Address:________________________________________ Apt. No.____________
____ Stewardship $100
City:_______________________________________ State:_____
____ Supporting
Phone: (H)____________________ (W)__________________Email_____________
$50
Zip_________
____ Family
$35
I want to volunteer one or more of the MRC projects. My areas of interest are:
____ General
$20
___Pepper Busting ___Right Whale Spotting ___Office/Clerical ___Thrift Shop
____ Student
$5
___ Fundraising ___Water Quality Monitoring ___Handy Person ___Public Education
Other____________________________
I want to contribute to the MRC Endowment Fund____________
th
- Randall W. Parkinson Ph. D., P.G.
Within the state of Florida, average surface temperatures are predicted to increase about 10 
F while net
precipitation will likely decrease. Sea level is projected to rise by at least 3 feet by the year 2100. The State’s
population is expected to increase by 50% over then next 25 years, gobbling up an additional 7 million acres of
undeveloped land by 2070. Two to three million acres of this urban expansion will take place on lands, which
currently recharge our aquifers. Brevard County is especially vulnerable to sea level rise given the extensive
distribution of low-lying areas along the mainland coast, throughout Merritt Island, and within the barrier Island
system. To date, only a few state and local governments have begun to plan for the inevitable effects of sea levels
rise by choosing between the options of protection, retreat, or accommodation. As an initial goal, the Space Coast
Climate Change Initiative will focus on sea level rise by collaborating with experts, policy-makers, and the public
in pursuit of strategies to mitigate and adapt to local consequences of sea level rises. Organizers of the Space
Coast Climate Change Initiative are not interested in doom and gloom predictions of our future. Rather, they
envision Florida as the “Silicon Valley” of Climate Change Innovation. Given the substantial and immediate risks
triggered by sea level rise, Florida must respond rapidly to global climate change. However, in so doing, Florida
residents will have an opportunity to initiate private and public investment that promotes growth of smart
businesses and a skill work force striving to meet these new challenges. This investment will ultimately generate
innovative products (technology, policy, skilled labor) exportable to others grappling with global climate change. A
Climate Change Forum has been schedule for the evening of Monday, February 9th , 2009. This event will present
factual information regarding global climate change and sea level rise. The Forum is planned as the first of many
events organized to facilitate discussion of climate change and encourage action by elected officials, city
managers, and residents of the Space Coast. Dr. Harold Wanless from the University of Miami and Miami-Dade
County Ad-Hoc Science Committee will have a presentation on The Science of Climate Change and Sea-Level
Rise; Manley Fuller from Florida Wildlife Federation will talk about Recent Legislative Actions and Florida GreenBusiness Iniatives; and Peter Harlem, M.S. from Florida International University and Miami-Dade County Ad-Hoc
Science Committee will discuss the Miami-Dade Adaptation and Mitigation Response. After the presentations, a
round table will follow, during which time, questions from the audience will be fielded by speakers. All attendees will
receive an informational packet containing summaries of each speaker, as well as links to organizations that are
actively engaged in global climate change. For additional information contact Randy Parkinson at (321) 3730976.
2008 MRC Board of Directors
Chairman, Jerry Woods
Vice Chairman, Janet Bonder
Secretary, Walter O. Stieglitz
Treasurer, Diane McCauley
Executive Director, Jim Egan
Board members
Dr. Richard Baker Gilbert Kennedy
Thomas P. Bausch Marge Ketter
David Botto
Steve Kinter
Andrew Brady
Ingrid Matta
Frank Cantino
Jim Moir
Steve Chalmers
Ted Moorhead
Mary Chapman
Maureen Rupe
Dr. Fielding E. Cooley
Dr. David Cox
Sandy Sanderson
Wesley Davis
Capt. Rodney Smith
Charles Grande
Amy Tidd
Patrick Hayes
Ken Tworoger
Sarah Heard
John Whitescarver
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Paid
Melbourne, FL
Permit No. 340
Marine Resources Council
3275 Dixie Hwy NE
Palm Bay, FL 32905-2511
Printed on recycled paper!
The Marker is published quarterly by the Marine Resources Council, 3275 Dixie HWY NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905 Phone: (321)
725-7775, FAX: (321) 725-3554, E-mail: council@mrcirl.org, Website: www.mrcirl.org .