Events
Annual Conference
Our 2012 Annual Conference will be held at USF College of Marine Sciences in St. Petersburg, Florida from May 18-20, 2012. For more details, check our conference page or contact the conference chair, Jeremy Lake (past-president@fmsea.org).
Collection Workshops

Two men seining along New Pass, Sarasota, FL during the 2009 FMSEA Conference Collection Worshop.
Photo Credit: Miranda Wrobel, Mote Marine Laboratory
FMSEA and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have developed and implemented an aquatic species collection workshop for educators. Upon successful completion of the workshop, educators receive a 3-year collection certificate form the Florida FWCC.
The workshop is available to certified Florida teachers and/or employees of educational centers. After successful completion of the 2–3 hour workshop, a certificate will be mailed to each recipient within 6–8 weeks. Certificate holders are eligible to collect specified aquatic species for educational purposes that would be restricted under fishing license guidelines. This Educator Certification is valid for 3 years. Renewal workshops are available.
During the training workshop, participants will discuss collecting alternatives, benefits, collection and transport techniques, methods to minimize environmental impact, restrictions imposed by the Collecting Certificate, available resources, and related activities.
Workshops are given annually at the FMSEA and FAST State conferences and throughout the year regionally.
The fee for the Collection Workshop is $25.
This fee includes training, a collection certificate, a free membership to FMSEA, and digtial access to workshop materials and resources. Fee may be paid at the workshop in cash, or with a check made out to FMSEA. Those paying via purchase order after the workshop must bring a copy of the PO to the workshop as proof of pending payment. For those needing FMSEA vendor information, contact your faciltator.
For general information about the collection workshops, contact:
| Kathy Russell | ||
| Work | (904) 277-7350 | |
| collections @ fmsea.org | ||
Workshop Resource Pages
A password is required for these pages. Contact your Collections Workshop Facilitator for the login details or email collections @ fmsea.org.
Upcoming Workshops
- Friday, February 10, 2012, 3:00pm-6:00pm
- Location: Florida Tech, Olin Life Sciences Bldg
150 West University Blvd
Melbourne, FL 32901
- Contact: Brandon Smith, FMSEA East Central Regional Director, rd-eastcentral @ fmsea . org
- Workshop cost is $25.00. Checks are made out to FMSEA. Preregister with name, address, email, phone number, and organization.
- Location: Florida Tech, Olin Life Sciences Bldg
- Sunday, February 19, 2012, 2:00pm-4:00pm
- Location: Seacamp Association, Inc
1300 Big Pine Avenue
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
- Contact: Judy Gregoire, info @ nhmi . org
305-872-2331 x238 - Workshop cost is $25.00. Checks are made out to FMSEA. Preregister with name, address, email, phone number, and organization.
- This Aquatic Species Collection Workshop will be held during a weekend-long Marine Education Workshop at Seacamp with educators from across the country. Hands-on marine science programs, meals and housing are available. Please contact Judy for additional details about the weekend.
- Location: Seacamp Association, Inc
- Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
- Location: City of St Augustine Beach community meeting room and Marine Laboratory
2200 SR A1A South
St Augustine, FL
- Contact: Maia McGuire, mpmcg @ ufl . edu
- Location: City of St Augustine Beach community meeting room and Marine Laboratory
- Workshop cost is $25.00 ($27.37 for credit card payments). Pre-registration/credit card payments (in advance, please) at http://aquaticcollections.eventbrite.com. Checks are made out to FMSEA. Preregister with name, address, email, phone number, and organization.
- Thursdya, March 1, 2012, 6:00pm-8:00pm
- Location: Rookery Bay Preserve
300 Tower Rd
Naples, FL 34113
- Contact: Bryan Fluech, fluech @ ufl . edu
- Workshop cost is $25.00. Checks are made out to FMSEA. Preregister with name, address, email, phone number, and organization.
- Send checks to: Bryan Fluech, Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent,300 Tower Rd, Naples, FL 34113
- Location: Rookery Bay Preserve
- Monday, March 26, 2012, 9:30am-11:30am
- Location: Riverwalk Nature Center
5355 US Hwy 1
Rockledge, FL 32955
- Contact: Brandon Smith, FMSEA East Central Regional Director, rd-eastcentral @ fmsea . org
- Workshop cost is $25.00. Checks are made out to FMSEA. Preregister with name, address, email, phone number, and organization.
- Location: Riverwalk Nature Center
FMSEA Board Meetings

FMSEA BOARD, 2010 Conference (L to R): Laura Diederick, Howard Rutherford, Tim Oldred, Brandon Smith, Kathy Russel, Heather Segura, Jason Robertshaw, Dawn Miller-Walker, Hugh Adkins, Lauren Tyler, Ann Marie Shields, Sara Hamilton, Jim Wharton, Carol Leonard, Jeremy Lake, Rosalyn Kilcollins. Photo Credit: Jay Walker.
The FMSEA Board meets several times a year at locations across the state and the meetings are open to all members. Taking place over a weekend, the extended time allows the board to fully cover the many items on the agenda, as well as take-in some behind-the- scenes exploring of the host site. Details will be posted here and on the FMSEA Listserv. Feel free to contact any board member for information on the next meeting.
Upcoming Board Meetings
- Saturday, January 28 - Sunday, January 29, 2012.
- St. Petersburg, Florida
