May/20/2010

Deepwater Horizon Emergency Response
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been designated the lead state agency for responding to potential impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill along Florida’s shoreline. Please visit the Deepwater Horizon website for updates and information on response actions and impacts to the state of Florida.

Volunteering
Volunteer Florida is coordinating volunteers for the Deep Water Horizon Response. However, due to the contaminated nature of the tar special steps and some limitations will be made to ensure the safety of volunteers. For information about volunteering, visit www.volunteerflorida.org

Mote Underwater Robots Search For Oil
On May 17, 2010, scientists with Mote Marine Laboratories in Sarasota launched an underwater robot offshore of Southwest Florida to patrol the Gulf of Mexico for oil. Thanks to a grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, Mote also has funding to launch two gliders to look for oil about 15 miles offshore between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

In addition to supporting the glider missions, funding from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice will help Mote researchers:

• Take samples of water, sediments, bottom dwelling organisms, and sea grass
• Sample mollusks (primarily clams and oysters)
• Sample the phytoplankton community
• Create a detailed oil response plan that covers a number of different scenarios so that our area will be well-positioned to receive federal or British Petroleum funds.

Click here to learn more about Mote's response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.