SCIENCE NITE

The coastal and nearshore waters near Naples and Marco Island, Florida are home to a community of bottlenose dolphins that have not been comprehensively studied previously. The National Fisheries Service (NMFS) started a research project in partnership with Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, in order to provide the first comprehensive abundance estimate for this system so that the NMFS would have baseline data from which to assess losses or to develop restoration plans in the face of future threats. We’ve now cataloged 330 distinctive individuals seen throughout the system. This initial effort fueled additional questions about the dolphins that live here and potential threats that they may face. Join Christina Toms as she presents what we’ve learned about this dolphin community and some of the research that’s been expanded on since the beginning of the project.

Stefanie Spear will discuss the plastic pollution crisis impacting Florida, the United States and other parts of the world. She will discuss the ways citizen science can help solve our plastic pollution problems, giving some specific ways people in Naples can get involved. Stefanie is sailing from Panama City to the Galapagos Islands in January 2020 as crew on eXXpedition, an all-women voyage to raise awareness and explore solutions to the devastating environmental and health impacts of single-use plastics. She will be contributing to world-class scientific studies and using her experience to educate people to better understand the problems we face and how to take daily action.