UPDATE: Registration for the Lionfish Workshop has closed. You can still register for Artificial Reef one day until Tuesday the 19th. You can also pay at the door (cash or check only). Thank you!

Invasive lionfish negatively affect native reef communities. They consume and compete with native reef fish, including economically important snappers and groupers, and their presence has shown to drive declines in native species and diversity. This regional workshop will highlight recent research and updates on the status of lionfish in the Florida Panhandle.

Regional artificial reef workshops are designed to bring together stakeholders involved in all aspects of artificial reef development, research, deployment, and monitoring. Workshops are held across the state as a cooperative effort between Florida Sea Grant and UF/IFAS Extension, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Artificial Reef Program, and local artificial reef coordinators. These regional workshops provided an open forum to highlight local efforts while also providing information regarding new science and overall policy at the state and federal levels.

This is a two day workshop with day 1 focusing on lionfish and day 2 focusing on artificial reefs. You may register for either day, or for both days. Trade show space is available as well if you want to have a display.

Agendas are tentative and subject to change. Please email or call Laura Tiu (lgtiu@ufl.edu) 850-612-6197 if you have questions or concerns.

Lionfish Workshop - Feb 19, 2019

8:00 - registration - (coffee provided)

8:30 – Welcome Dr. Laura Tiu – Florida Sea Grant, Okaloosa/Walton Counties & Parker Destin, Okaloosa County

RESEARCH UPDATES

8:45 - Invasive Lionfish in the Northeastern Gulf of Medico: Population trends,

Ecological impacts, and Potential mitigation

William F. Patterson, University of Florida

9:05 - Density-dependent Condition, Growth, and Cannibalism in Invasive Lionfish

From the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Kristen A. Dahl, University of Florida

9:20 - Efficiency of Lionfish Removals by Divers and Traps in the Northern Gulf of

Mexico

Holden Harris, University of Florida

9:40 - Monthly Growth Rate and Population Structure Changes of Northern Gulf of

Mexico Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Using a Length-based Population

Model

Alex Q. Fogg, Okaloosa County

9:55 - Break

COMMERCIAL HARVESTING UPDATES

10:05 - TITLE TO BE DETERMINED; topic: commercial harvest of Lionfish

Representative from Coast Watch Alliance

10:25 - TITLE TBD – Captain Andy Ross, Niuhi Charters, Pensacola FL

10:40 – TITLE TBD - Parker Destin, Okaloosa County

11:00 – ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON DIVING COMMUNITY – TBD Lunch

11:15 - Lunch

REGULATION UPDATES

12:15 - A Hands Off Management Approach to Reducing Invasive a Lionfish

Populations in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic -

Current Strategies and Future Options

Kelli O'Donnell - NOAA

12:35 - Florida's Invasive Lionfish: State Updates

Kali Spurgin, Hanna Tilloston, FWC

12:50 - Break

EDUCATION/OUTREACH UPDATES

1:00 - DNA Barcoding of Invasive Lionfish Prey: A Student Citizen Science Project

Gina Rodriguez, University of West Florida

Ed Bauer, Marine Science Academy Escambia County School District

1:20 – Destroying Barriers: Feasibility & Access to Equipment, Materials, and Manpower in Making

Lionfish DNA Gut Content Analysis Possible in Your High School Science Classroom

Shawn Walker – West Florida Tech, Escambia County School District

1:40 - Lionfish Hunting: Getting the Public Involved

Brady Hale, Texas Lionfish Control Unit

2:00 – Lionfish Education and Outreach; Florida Sea Grant

Dr. Laura Tiu, Florida Sea Grant Okaloosa/Walton Counties

2:15 - Break

NEXT STEPS

2:25 - End of program survey and evaluation

2:45 Closing remarks

February 20 (Day 2): Artificial Reef Workshop

8:30 Meet and Greet (coffee and water provided)

9:00 Welcome and Introductions: Laura Tiu, FL Sea Grant & Keith Mille, FWC

9:25 NW FL Lionfish Workshop Re-Cap and Next Steps: Rick O’Connor, FL Sea Grant

9:50 Regional and National Artificial Reef Updates: Keith Mille, FWC

10:20 NRDA Progress Update: Devin Resko & Keith Mille, FWC

10:40 Break

11:00 County Updates (6 min each) Representatives will provide a brief overview of recent activities and future plans.

12:00 LUNCH BUFFET (included with registration) and Group Photo

1:00 Partnering with Marine Industries: John Naybor, Marine Industries Association of Northwest Florida

1:15 Current Research and Perspectives on Artificial Reefs and Fisheries: Will Patterson and Ed Camp, University of Florida

2:00 Permitting Strategies and Cultural Resources Surveys: FWC, FSG & Others

3:00 Break

3:15 Responding to Hurricane Michael in Bay County and Mexico Beach:Bob Cox, Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association & Scott Jackson, Bay County – Florida Sea Grant

3:45 Wrap Up and Next Steps: Keith Mille and Scott Jackson

4:15 Adjourn & Networking

FAQs

Will there be a trade show?

Yes! If you would like to have a table at the tradeshow, please purchase a tradeshow ticket. $100.00 gets you a table and space to display along with workshop registration for 1 for both days. Please contact Laura Tiu, lgtiu@ufl.edu or 850-612-6197 with any questions.

What are my transportation/parking/hotel options for the event?

Parking is free!

If you need a place to stay, we have researved a block of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn within walking distance from the Emerald Coast Convention Center. Please go to:

Go to this website: https://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/F/FWBGIGI-ARS-20190218/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

Group Name: ARTIFICIAL REEF SUMMIT

Group Code: ARS

Check-in:18-FEB-2019

Check-out: 21-FEB-2019

Hotel Name:

Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Walton Beach,

1297 Miracle Strip Parkway SE

Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548

Phone Number: 8503621000