Welcome to the home of the FIT Vero Beach Marine Enhancement Center!

Vero Beach Marine Enhancement Center

Aquaculture and coastal research has been conducted by the Florida Institute of Technology at the Vero Beach Marine Laboratory since 1980.  Located on 5 oceanfront acres, the Marine Laboratory has the best seawater supply of any aquaculture facility on the east coast of Florida.  This system has proven to be a superb site for culturing and spawning estuarine and coastal fishes.  In addition to intensive aquaculture research presently underway at the laboratory, researchers are examining the production and use of algae-based biofuels, coastal erosion and near-shore oceanographic processes, meteorology and other environmental sciences.  

The laboratory will be reconfigured into the Marine Fisheries Center that will hold broodstock that produce millions of fish larvae.  These larvae will be transported to Hubbs Sea World, New Smyrna Beach and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution for growth into sizes ready to release into the natural habitat.  Research at the Marine Fisheries Center will also focus on methods to condition juvenile fishes to enhance their survival rates after release, on production and transplantation of seagrasses, and on a wide array of coastal and environmental processes.

Applied environmental research is only one portion of Florida Tech’s mission.  The university has internationally-recognized undergraduate and graduate programs in aquaculture, marine biology, environmental education, oceanography, meteorology, and sustainable use of ecosystems.  Training the next generations of marine and environmental researchers, habitat and resource managers, and educators is the core of Florida Tech’s efforts.   The Marine Fisheries Center will play a vital role in training these university students.  The Education Pavilion will extend these opportunities to K-12 students and the general public through exhibits, classes and access to various fish aquaculture facilities at the Center. 

Project components include:

1.    Build and operate the Vero Beach Marine Fisheries Center:
a.    Construct East Coast and Indian River Lagoon broodstock culture facilities
b.    Modernize existing laboratory structures and offices for aquaculture, fisheries, coastal and environmental research
c.    Upgrade sea water intake and pumping capabilities to enhance high quality seawater supply to aquaculture systems
d.    Develop fish behavioral analysis system for juvenile conditioning research to enhance survival after release
e.    Develop seagrass culture facility
f.    Employ alternative energy – solar, biofuels – as dominant power sources
2.    Construct the Education Pavilion in cooperation with the neighboring Indian River County Park:
a.    Marine and aquaculture exhibits
b.    Auditorium
c.    Classrooms
d.    Walkways and boardwalks through Fisheries Center and demonstration facilities
e.    Employ and demonstrate alternative energy facilities
f.    Establish programs for school and public education
3.    Restore surrounding vegetation and dunes
4.    Construct dormitory for student and teacher groups, and visiting scientists
5.    Construct caretaker residence