|
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Secretary Colleen M. Castille today
welcomed Stephanie Bailenson as the head of the Office
of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA). CAMA
manages coastal lands and waters that have been
designated as Aquatic Preserves, National Estuarine
Research Reserves and the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary.
“The Department is pleased to appoint Stephanie
Bailenson as head of its CAMA office, where her
education and experience will bring knowledge and
insight to our endeavors. Her expertise with marine
science, ocean policy and management will strengthen our
efforts to protect the State’s coastal resources,” said
DEP Secretary Castille.
Bailenson comes to DEP from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, where she served as Senior
Policy Advisor to the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere for more than three years. Prior
to that she worked for four years with the United States
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and
Transportation.
Bailenson attended graduate school in the Department
of Zoology at the University of Hawaii and received her
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology/Political Science, with
Distinction, from Duke University.
“I am eager to continue Florida’s success and
leadership in the realm of ocean resource protection,”
Bailenson said. “I look forward to advancing the
Governor’s Oceans Initiative through strong
participation in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and the
continued protection and public education of Florida’s
aquatic preserves.”
Recognizing the need to enhance science-based ocean
management, Governor Jeb Bush is advancing
state-of-the-art coastal observation technologies,
expanding recreation and ocean education, conducting
marine resource assessments and increasing protection
for seagrass beds, fisheries and coral reefs through
Florida’s Oceans Initiative. With a $2 million
investment set aside by Governor Bush and the Florida
Legislature, the Oceans Initiative is merging science
and research with environmental management to safeguard
Florida’s valuable ocean resources and sensitive coastal
areas.
Drawing millions of visitors each year, Florida’s
clear waters, world-class beaches and coral reefs
support a $53 billion tourism industry, a $14 billion
marine industry and a fishing industry that injects more
than $8.5 billion a year into Florida’s communities.
With the longest coastline in the contiguous United
States, Florida is home to 41 aquatic preserves, three
of the nation’s National Estuarine Research Reserves and
one of the largest underwater refuges in the world.
To learn more about Florida’s Oceans Initiative,
visit
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/news/2004/ocean/default.htm. | 
