Thanks for your interest in REEF Fish & Friends! We are pleased to welcome our January speaker: Lisa Symons, Regional Response Coordinator for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Announced in December 2019, Mission: Iconic Reefs is a bold undertaking by NOAA and partners to restore seven ecologically and culturally significant coral reefs within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The selected restoration sites represent a diversity of habitats, support a range of human uses, span the full geographic range of the Florida Keys, and show a high probability of restoration success. The mission represents one of the largest investments ever undertaken in coral restoration. Iconic Reefs will proactively intervene by restoring a diversity of stony corals, reintroducing algae-grazing species to support coral health, and building community stewardship by engaging stakeholders in the continued maintenance and monitoring of the sites. Come learn about this exciting new effort to restore our reefs and how you can engage.
Lisa Symons coordinates major incident responses in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and contingency planning, emergency response, injury assessment and restoration planning and implementation for the Florida Keys and the eastern region of the sanctuaries system. From July 2016 through September 2018, Lisa served as Deputy Superintendent of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, after having been the Damage Assessment and Resource Protection Coordinator for NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries since 1998, responsible for system-wide coordination of contingency planning, emergency response, damage assessment, restoration and enforcement. She oversaw all aspects of the resource injury process from initial assessments through litigation, to implementation of restoration and subsequent monitoring, including oversight of assessment and restoration work for numerous seagrass and coral groundings in the Florida Keys.
Lisa also worked with the Department of Defense on underwater munitions issues, coordinated hurricane and tsunami preparedness and impact assessments, and oversaw a national risk assessment for potentially polluting wrecks. Lisa began her career with NOAA in 1991, as the NOAA Regional Liaison in Kuwait, helping to identify, assess and respond to environmental impacts from the oil fires and oil spills from the Arabian Gulf War.
REEF Fish & Friends is a free, monthly seminar series that features engaging ocean-themed presentations from guest speakers. Snorkelers, divers, and marine life enthusiasts are invited to join informal discussions and mingle with members of our friendly, ocean-minded community. Complimentary appetizers and refreshments are provided. The evening kicks off with a social starting at 6:15pm, and the presentation begins at 7pm.