COASTAL RESOURCES

Okaloosa coastal animal tagging workshop aims to boost local marine research

The Okaloosa Coastal Resource Team held a marine biology tagging workshop last Wednesday at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center focused on gathering information on the migratory patterns of various species found in the region.

• The three-hour, invitation-only workshop included 15-20 minute presentations from about a dozen national experts on current research initiatives involving acoustic telemetry and satellite tracking technology to study the seasonal movements of sea turtles, sharks, game fish and other marine life.

Facilitated by Coastal Resource Manager Alex Fogg, along with Coastal Resource Coordinators Jessica Valek and Mike Norberg, the workshop provided a unique opportunity for researchers to share findings, leverage existing infrastructure and strengthen collaborative efforts moving forward, Fogg said.

“We have been ramping up our collaborations with various research entities over the last four years and have been trying to encourage and support tagging and tracking studies happening in our area,” Fogg said. “It helps their research, puts our destination on the map in the research world and sets the stage for bigger, more coordinated projects down the road. It wasn’t until recently, by recommendation of Dr. Meg Lamont, that we explored who we were working with and saw the opportunity to get everyone together for a workshop.”

The diverse list of presentations showcased research on species ranging from sea turtles and pygmy devil rays to Gulf sturgeon and cobia. Discussions also focused on utilizing fishing piers and offshore fish aggregating devices (FADs) as research platforms to examine seasonal movement of species such as whale sharks, tiger sharks, tunas and other migratory species.

• “I was amazed to see the number of researchers we have worked with and how many different animals they are studying right here in our backyard,” Fogg said. “Just about every species we encounter, there is someone we know already working on it or interested in pilot projects here. We have both the offshore infrastructure and access to vessels and a robust fishing community to facilitate these activities.”

University and government researchers traveled from various parts of the Gulf region and East Coast to attend the workshop. Fogg said the ability to hold this type of summit will only strengthen existing partnerships and allow new collaborative efforts to take shape. 

WORKSHOP INSIGHTS

The workshop began with introductions from Fogg before launching into 12 presentations on various research initiatives related to sea turtle monitoring, shark movement patterns and game fish migrations in the Gulf of Mexico.  All of this work is associated with projects being conducted in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.

Sea Turtle Research

• Dr. Meg Lamont with the U.S. Geological Survey discussed efforts to monitor sea turtle interactions with nearshore recreational fishing piers in Northwest Florida.
• Dr. Christopher Sasso presented information on leatherback sea turtle movements and behavior during autumn and winter months in the eastern Gulf of Mexico based on satellite tracking data. The research aims to identify high use foraging areas and environmental factors influencing distribution and habitat use.

Shark Movements

• Dr. Eric Hoffmayer with NOAA Fisheries shared seasonal movement insights on whale sharks tagged in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
• Creed Branham discussed associations between tiger sharks and nearshore fishing piers.
• Dr. Kim Bassos-Hull presented initial acoustic telemetry findings on Atlantic pygmy devil rays in the Gulf of Mexico, focused on expanding limited information on movement ecology and behavior through collaborative receiver networks.

Game Fish Migrations

• Dr. Mike Dance covered both tarpon migration tracking in the region as well as offshore game fish interactions with fish aggregating devices in the open Gulf of Mexico.
• Joseph Alday outlined migratory behaviors of cobia in the eastern Gulf.
• Steve Vanderkooy discussed the initiation of acoustic tagging study on tripletail migrations in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gulf Sturgeon Movements

• Dr. Dewayne Fox presented updated information on Gulf sturgeon marine habitat use and distribution.

BUILDING COLLABORATIONS

The workshop concluded with an open discussion on developing strategic frameworks to strengthen productive research partnerships, enhance data sharing and pursue funding opportunities for high priority multi-institutional initiatives.

Fogg said the ability to gather this caliber of regional expertise under one roof opens the door for new project development by eliminating duplication of efforts and allowing researchers to divide responsibilities for maximum impact.

• “I don’t think anyone in that room is unwilling to collaborate or share data,” Fogg said. “It was more a matter of not knowing exactly who to connect with before. The workshop really helped open the door to take existing partnerships to another level.”

And while this workshop was closed to the general public, the Coastal Resource Team plans to build on workshop momentum by establishing an ongoing seminar series open to the public on various marine research topics as results develop. 

“The public has been integral in making many of these projects in Destin-Fort Walton Beach successful. Helping with locating whale sharks for tagging last summer or even tagging the species of fish they are catching and releasing already,” Fogg said. “We want the public to understand the research happening here and see some of the results, so bringing researchers in for regular public lectures is the next step.”

He added that engaging local communities and visitors in the process is important as public involvement has already played a significant role in supporting field studies.

• “We want to invite researchers back over time to not only update locals but also educate visitors on all the incredible wildlife research and technology being utilized right here off our beaches,” Fogg said. “It’s amazing that this caliber of science is happening in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, driven by university and government researchers from Louisiana, Mississippi, Delaware, Texas and beyond.”

GIVING BACK

FWB Rotary Club raises $25,000 from pickleball tournament to support Arc of the Emerald Coast

The Fort Walton Beach Rotary Club presented a $25,000 check to the Arc of the Emerald Coast during their Jan. 31 meeting, after proceeds from the club’s annual Pickleball Brawl tournament were dedicated to the organization this year.

• The Arc of the Emerald Coast provides services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. Their programs aim to encourage greater community inclusion and independence.

Past Rotary Club President Matt Simpson said all proceeds from the Nov. 3-5 pickleball tournament went directly to the Arc this year. For the past two years, funds were split among several non-profits. This year, they wanted to make a bigger impact.

The Fort Walton Beach Rotary Club launched the Pickleball Brawl in 2021 as a way to increase visibility, do more community service projects and engage people after fundraising stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• “We took a year off from fundraising and service because of COVID. So having this pickleball tournament was a natural return of just wanting to do something, as restrictions were lifting,” Simpson said. “Pickleball was gaining traction with people wanting to get outside.”

With guidance from local pickleball advocates, the tournament’s first year brought in $20,000. The second year increased net proceeds to $31,000. And participation jumped again for 2023, with 202 players from seven states.

“We had people from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina and Washington,” Simpson said. “Now people are putting this tournament on their calendar every year for the first weekend in November.”

Simpson said organizing the event took “hours and hours of planning, detailing and meetings,” plus hands-on work from Rotarians, sponsors and 30 volunteers. But he said seeing the Arc clients enjoy the tournament brought perspective.

• “Most of all, this check represents the many services and clients who will be impacted at the Arc for years to come,” Simpson said.

Arc Chief Financial Officer Lea Farrington and Director of Development Marci LeBlanc accepted the donation at the Rotary Club meeting. Farrington said the funds will be split between the Arc’s job training services and its adult day program for those with more involved disabilities.

“Your funding today is two-fold,” Farrington said. “Half of the funds you’re providing today will provide job coaching to 40 individuals over the next year.”

• Farrington said the money will help pay Arc job coaches to work with local employers and prepare adults with disabilities to find and sustain community-based employment.

The other half, she said, will support 30 clients in the Arc’s Fort Walton Beach day program for the next year. There, adults learn independent living skills like cooking, computer skills, and handling money.

“At our day program, we offer classes to help them become even more independent in their day-to-day lives,” Farrington said. “And this funding will help support 30 of those clients over the next year.”

Farrington and LeBlanc thanked the Rotary Club members for their dedication and for “loving on” their clients during the Pickleball Brawl event.

• “It really brought some of us to tears because they were just so giddy, excited and so happy, and y’all loved on them. That’s what they crave,” LeBlanc said.

The two said community support and engagement makes a significant difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

“You guys are just gonna make a huge impact on the lives of these 65 individuals,” Farrington said.

FOOD+DRINK

RadBar launches ‘unconventional dinner club’ with 4 course meal and beer pairings in FWB

Looking to bring “unconventional but elevated” dining to Fort Walton Beach, RadBar will host its inaugural “Eat Your Heart Out” dinner club event on Feb. 7.

Limited to 30 seats, the chef’s tables will offer a four-course menu expertly paired with beer. Dishes like beef carpaccio and whipped ricotta with strawberries aim to deliver “beautifully honest food without being pretentious,” said RadBar owner Joe Alonzo.

• “We wanted to create a monthly event that our friends would attend, where it was relatively elevated with high-end food at an affordable price,” Alonzo said. “But you don’t need a collared shirt to attend, and you won’t feel out of place like drinking a PBR with your friends.” 

The $80 tickets for the dining experience running from 7-9:30 p.m. can be purchased online. An after-hours hangout with games and drinks will cap off the night. Alonzo said he hopes to host Eat Your Heart Out monthly as an accessible chef’s table for locals.

“For the first one, I just want to see people come out and have a good time,” he said. “I want to see what kind of people are interested in having a good accessible event that’s a chef’s table and who want to hang out and enjoy a good meal.”

Culinary Affair’s Kara Mardell and Taylor Hall are designing the inaugural dinner menu. 

Menu

BEEF CARPACCIO
Shaved Beef, Radish, Frisee, Ginger & Soy

PORK BELLY
Homemade Tortilla Shell, Gochujang, Shishito Slaw, Marinated Red Onion, Fried Quail Egg

SEARED SNAPPER
Forbidden Rice, Yucca Chips, Hoisin Broth, Citrus & Root Vegetables

WHIPPED RICOTTA
White Balsamic, Strawberries & Sugared Mint

Click here to buy tickets

BUSINESS

Building Industry Association and Executive Officer Alan Baggett mutually part ways

After 15 years as executive officer of the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, Alan Baggett has resigned from the position, according to a statement from the trade group.

• Baggett and the association agreed to part ways as of Dec. 31.

During his tenure, he worked to ensure construction curriculum was available in schools in Okaloosa County by partnering with both the Okaloosa County School Board and the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors.

Last year, Baggett helped establish a nonprofit foundation affiliated with the Building Industry Association to provide scholarships aimed at addressing worker shortages in construction trades.

The association, which advocates for firms involved in residential and commercial building projects in the two Panhandle counties, has nearly 200 member companies.

SPORTS

Choctaw Cheerleaders win regional title, advance to State this weekend

The Choctawhatchee High School co-ed cheerleading team won first place at the Florida High School Athletic Association’s regional competition last Friday, securing a spot in this week’s state championship.

• The victory means the Indians advance directly to the finals Friday in Lakeland without having to compete in the semifinals.

Coached by alumni Kerri Kriech and Kristen Davis, the squad bested teams from Middleburg, Fort Walton Beach, St. Augustine and Port St. Joe to claim the regional title. Choctawhatchee practices five days a week for several hours each day.

Sophomore team member Tamya Bledsoe said the regional win was the culmination of injuries, division changes and hard work to refine their routine.

“We’ve worked day and night trying to perfect a routine that will allow us to come out on top for the second year in a row!” Bledsoe said. “We have a work ethic and bond like no other. We continuously put our blood, sweat, and tears into every practice we have, including all the laughs and jokes we share! With that being said I am ready to head to the State Championship with the mindset, hunger, and determination of being the best.”

In December, the team won first place at the Universal Cheerleaders Association regional competition in Hammond, Louisiana.

• On Wednesday night, supporters packed the gym at Pryor Middle School as the cheerleaders gave a final home performance before departing Thursday for the state championship in Lakeland.

Following FHSAA State Competition this week, Choctaw Cheer will compete at the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship, February 9-12, 2024, at Walt Disney World Resort. 

NEWS

WATCH: 2 Alaskan Kodiak cubs found roaming Okaloosa County about 3,614 miles from home

An Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy responding to a call before dawn on December 5 got a shock when she found not the typical Florida black bears, but two brown Kodiak bear cubs who had apparently escaped from an inadequate enclosure.

• The cubs — petite as far as Kodiaks go at an estimated 30 pounds each — were spotted about 3:30 a.m. sitting by Old River Road, according to the OCSO. A passerby who’d stopped thought they were in distress.

Wildlife officers determined the cubs had escaped from a nearby property where a self-proclaimed bear trainer lives. The resident, who was not immediately identified, faces multiple charges related to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation findings, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Native to Alaska’s Kodiak Archipelago, Kodiak bears are a unique brown bear subspecies isolated from others for about 12,000 years. They are the largest bear species — an adult male can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and stand more than 10 feet tall on hind legs.

The cubs — likely born in 2022 — will remain at an undisclosed secure location while the investigation continues, wildlife officials said. the Sheriff’s Office said they appeared healthy and friendly when discovered along the roadside.

• Their owner will face state and likely federal charges related to possessing wildlife, said the OCSO. Further details were not immediately available.

Click here to watch