Port Canaveral hosts public workshop to provide input for plan to protect Florida’s oceans, coasts

11/18/2019

Stakeholder meeting will be Nov. 20 at Exploration Tower

Jetty Park Beach at Port Canaveral

Jetty Park Beach at Port Canaveral (Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)

Port Canaveral, FL  The Florida Ocean Alliance (FOA) is drafting a strategic plan to address Florida’s critical ocean and coastal issues and to recommend actions to help protect its resources for the future. The FOA’s efforts are at the direction of the Florida Legislature and the alliance is working closely with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The FOA is hosting public hearings across Florida to obtain input from the state’s wide diversity of stakeholders, interests and citizens. From 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, a stakeholder workshop will be held at Exploration Tower at Port Canaveral, 670 Dave Nisbet Drive, on the tower’s fourth-floor Conference Room. All interested parties can attend to learn about the project and provide input into what issues should be top priority and what actions are needed.
 
“As part of our commitment to protect and preserve the unique environment that surrounds us, the Canaveral Port Authority sponsors, directs and participates in numerous environmental initiatives,” said Robert Musser, Senior Director, Environmental with the Port Authority. “We wholeheartedly support Florida Ocean Alliance’s efforts to create a strategic plan for Florida’s waterways and are honored that the FOA will host a stakeholder workshop at Port Canaveral.”

“Thanks to funding from the Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis, Florida Ocean Alliance is leading the development of a visionary statewide plan to responsibly manage and protect Florida’s coastal and ocean assets,” said Duane De Freese, FOA Co-Chair and Executive Director of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program. “All citizens, scientists and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in these stakeholder workshops and provide input to FOA as the process moves forward.”

The Florida Ocean Alliance (www.floridaoceanalliance.org) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, private-public partnership of private industry, trade, academic and environmental organizations promoting awareness and understanding of the ocean’s importance to the economy and environment of Florida.

For those who cannot attend but would like to learn more or provide input, please visit www.floridaoceanalliance.org.

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About Port Canaveral   

Led by the elected five-member Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners and Port Director and CEO, Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral is one of the world's most dynamic and exciting ports. A world-class gateway for cruises, cargo, recreation and logistics, as well as a gateway to new frontiers in space, Port Canaveral hosts nearly 5 million revenue cruise passengers through its state-of-the-art terminals and 6 million tons of cargo annually, including bulk, break-bulk, project, and containerized. The Port is strategically located to service all Florida markets, as well as the Southeastern United States. In addition to world class cruise facilities and diverse cargo operations, Port Canaveral offers more recreational opportunities than all other Florida deep-water seaports combined. For more information, visit www.PortCanaveral.com

Media Contacts:
Steve Linden
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Tel: (321) 394-3244 | Cell: (321) 576-3282
Slinden@portcanaveral.com
 
Florida Ocean Alliance (FOA)
Dr. Ellen Prager
Tel: (305) 720-7070
pragere@earthlink.net