We have heard over the past few days from countless colleagues, friends, and supporters of the College of Marine Science. Many have asked for ways to support the students, staff, and faculty affected by the fire at the Marine Science Lab.
The USF Foundation has launched the Marine Science Operating Fund (linked in our bio) through which people can make financial contributions to the college.
Thank you for the continued support of our college and the global research we conduct.
🎙️ Season two of “The Rising Tides Podcast” is here 🌊
The six new episodes highlight research and programs that take place in Tampa Bay and have impacted communities across Florida and beyond. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at oceanography in action and glimpse at the future of marine science through interviews with faculty, staff, and students.
From coastal resilience to cutting-edge research and community impact, each episode highlights how the College of Marine Science is shaping the future of ocean research.
The podcast was produced in partnership with the Department of Journalism and Digital Communication at USF St. Petersburg.
🎧 Listen now at the link in our bio
Gag grouper is a popular sport fish in the Gulf, but they are currently overfished 🎣
Researchers at the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science, in collaboration with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, have developed a flexible tool to enhance recreational fisheries management.
Using data collected since 2015, the researchers trained a model that accounts for angler behavior and regulatory changes. This model will help inform decisions regarding the length of fishing seasons based on the risk of exceeding quotas.
Learn more by visiting the link in our bio
Photo Credit: @fwcresearch FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Margaret Thompson
Congrats to Brian Barnes! Barnes, an assistant research professor at the College of Marine Science, was recently awarded an Outstanding Research Achievement Award as well as an Excellence in Global Research Award by the University of South Florida.
Barnes was recognized by USF for his impactful research monitoring the seaweed sargassum, which forms massive, floating mats in the Atlantic Ocean. His work has produced globally adopted forecasting tools supporting coastal communities worldwide.
Way to go, Brian!
🌊 New College of Marine Science stickers just dropped 🌊
Each sticker highlights a tool or area of research at the college, from gliders to groupers and everything in between!
Check back in… clues on where to find them drop Friday 🔍 Which one are you hunting for? 👀
🤖 Center for Ocean Technology glider
🐟 Grouper
🌿 Sargassum
⚓ Ocean Circulation Lab buoy
🌊 CTD rosette
Claudia Barón-Aguilar is an Indigenous scientist from the Wayúu community in the northernmost part of Colombia. A doctoral candidate at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science, her work brings together remote sensing, community engagement, and traditional ecological knowledge.
She recently co-authored two papers on Indigenous communities and their integration into academic research.
“Indigenous people are not a homogenous group — there are so many different values, beliefs, and ways of life that need to be incorporated and considered — but I think we can share our experience together,” said Barón-Aguilar. “When communities are part of producing knowledge, they’re more likely to value and use it.”
Read more about her @nsfgov funded research at the link in our bio
Every two months for the past decade, researchers from the USF College of Marine Science head to sea, collecting critical data to track the health of South Florida’s coastal water for the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network.
The cruises are part of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration, a NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory project that began in 1998 to investigate coral bleaching in the Florida Keys. The science has expanded in scope, length, and partnerships, and now includes University of Miami Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Mote Marine Lab, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
Follow the link in our bio to read the full story and learn why this initiative is helping protect South Florida’s ecosystems, communities, and economies.
Welcome aboard, President Limayem! ⛴️
We were honored to host the University of South Florida's ninth president, Moez Limayem, Provost Prasant Mohapatra, and their staff today on our beautiful campus.
During his visit, President Limayem connected with our extraordinary students, outstanding faculty, and talented staff, who shared their work and passion that drive discoveries in oceanography. He met with Dean Tom Frazer and college leadership to discuss our continued growth and the critical role marine science plays in addressing local, regional, and global challenges.
While touring our waterfront campus, President Limayem got a first-hand look at the cutting-edge technologies our researchers use to study the ocean. In the Marine Environmental Chemistry lab, the group was shown tools such as mass spectrometers, used to measure geologic and biologic materials, which played a role in understanding the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. A stop at the Ocean Technology Group showcased the college’s fleet of underwater gliders, which collect data on the physical and chemical components of the Gulf, refining ocean circulation models and tracking red tide blooms.
The visit highlighted the breadth and real-world impact of research taking place at the College of Marine Science.
President Limayem even had the opportunity to witness ocean instruments and partnership in action, while stopping by a seafloor mapping demonstration from the Center for Ocean Mapping and Innovative Technologies and Teledyne Marine.
Thank you to the President, Provost, and their staff for joining us today. We’re excited to have you at the helm of USF! 🌊🤘
High-speed racing on the open ocean is coming to the University of South Florida 🌊⛵
The Ocean Race will dock at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science before launching on a 4,500-nautical-mile transatlantic leg from St. Pete to Cascais, Portugal as part of the 2027 race.
From May 4–16, a fleet of high-performance boats will line the college’s seawall at USF St. Petersburg, giving the community a chance to explore the vessels and their cutting-edge tech, meeting the teams behind one of the world’s toughest races.
Turning ocean racing into ocean discovery 🌎🔬Proud to be part of this incredible journey!
