Coleman & Koenig in the News

Dive into the cold, mysterious world of sharks and learn more about the bluntnose six-gill shark and Dr. Grubbs' research on oil toxicity in sharks and other marine species. See FSUCML graduate student, Jo Imhoff, measuring a six-gill shark.

More than 660 graduate students are members of GoMRI-funded research teams working to understand impacts from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and improve future response. Eric Chassignet, director of the Deep-C consortium led by Florida State University, said that one of the most exciting aspects of receiving GoMRI support has been the opportunity to mentor students and involve them in cutting-edge Gulf research. He added, “They are going to be the next generation of scientists, the movers and shakers ten years from now.” With that in mind, Deep-C decided to give students their own “prime time” conference experience.

After all, field stations play critical –indeed, vital -- roles in advancing physical, natural, and social science endeavors, particularly in addressing global change -- change that poses considerable threat to ecosystems, economies, and human well being. Even so, for field stations to thrive in the 21st century and beyond, they must individually develop viable business plans that highlight their greatest strengths, and collectively develop metrics that measure their performance and impact. This represents a fundamental change in perspective.

If the goliath grouper loses its legal protection, will the 800-pounder sink or swim?

Florida State University researchers have spearheaded a major review of fisheries data that examines the domino effect that occurs when too many fish are harvested from one habitat.

Dr. Felicia Coleman and Dr. Christopher Koenig, accompanied by grad student Chris Malinowski, are onboard the RV Walton Smith (the ship after which the R/V Apalachee was modeled) conducting research in Pulley’s Ridge and the Tortugas, 350 miles from Miami, where the cruise set sail. The objectives are to determine the density of red grouper in selected sites, and to determine whether fish living here are related to fish turning up in coastal sites like Florida Bay.

GoMRI's June 2013 newsletter focuses on the research being conducted by the Deep-C Consortium. It recounts what happened that fateful day of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster and then summarizes some of what we have learned since then. In this newsletter you will find several quotes from FSU researchers as well as an interview from our very own director, Dr. Felicia Coleman.

Three years after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Travis Pillow of the Tallahassee Democrat writes about the research that some of our scientists here at the lab, along with the other Deep-C members, are conducting on the spill. The primary concern is for the long-term effects on the ecosystem, many of which are still unknown. Director, Dr. Felicia Coleman, says "The oil spill shown a light on the Gulf that said, 'My God' ... This is the supplier, and nobody was paying any attention to how important it is." Well people are seeing now just how important the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem is and are worried about what is to become of it.

Last Thursday Martha Dobes, FSUCML Board of Trustees Member, hosted a shindig in Atlanta to share some of the research the FSUCML is currently working on. Many of the attendees own property nearby the lab, so it was important for them to learn about what we do here. Dr. Felicia Coleman and Dr. Dean Grubbs were in attendance and gave presentations on their own research and why it is important to protect out ocean's resources.

Two years after the Deepwater Horizon blow out, scientists are still piecing together what happened to the millions of gallons of crude oil that gushed into the Gulf of Mexico and what the environmental consequences would be. Recently, FSUCML scientists Dr. Grubbs and Dr. Coleman and their colleagues in the Deep-C Consortium gathered in Tallahassee to discuss their long-term study of oil effects, where they were interviewed by WFSU news director Trimmel Gomes.