The Aquarius underwater lab is now under the auspices of Florida International University. Formerly, the University of North Carolina-Wilmington operated it.
In a tribute to his renowned grandfather, a Cousteau plans to launch the longest mission ever undertaken aboard the Aquarius, the undersea habitat at the Florida Keys reef.
Mission 31, a saturation-diving mission planned to begin Oct. 1, would last 31 days. Researchers will seek evidence of climate change in examining corals and sponges, and the team will test new underwater equipment.
Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 06:00 AM EDT
A list of recreational projects long sought by Florida Keys residents -- like repairs to the old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon, a park at Rowell's Marina in Key Largo, and Higgs Beach improvements in Key West -- won tentative support in an early round of Monroe County budget talks Tuesday.
Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 06:00 AM EDT
The state Department of Transportation says the 18-Mile Stretch barbed wire is needed to protect wildlife, but Zoo Miami's communications director says otherwise.
State officials say barbed-wire fencing along the 18-Mile Stretch connecting Key Largo to Florida City is essential to protect wildlife, but one of South Florida's most prominent animal advocates bristles at the idea.
"My common sense is telling me that barbed wire is too little, too late by the time the animal gets on the fence," said Ron Magill, communications director for Zoo Miami. "Once the animal hits the barbed wire, he's just going to grab and pull and it'll cut him more."
Posted: Monday, June 17, 2013 08:50 PM EDT
