Marine Research Dock Opening

Constructed over the summer, the dock provides greater access to Sarasota Bay for the campus community, bolsters New College’s traditionally strong and popular programs in marine biology and environmental studies, and enhances its summer marine biology education programs for underprivileged students from Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Sen. Bill Galvano, BOT Chair Mary Ruiz, NCSA President Sofia Lombardi, Rep. Fiona McFarland, Associate Professor Jayne Gardiner, student speaker Cecilia Hampton, Rep. James Buchanan and NCF President Pat Okker participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 26.

New College professors and students are currently studying the effects of red tide; monitoring the health of sharks, dolphins, manatees and other marine life; and conducting research to improve the sustainability of mangroves and various native plants.

This dock serves the marine biology program’s 32-foot pontoon research boat, Limbatus; a smaller research skiff;

and a rigid inflatable rescue vessel. It also provides boat slips for the College’s sailing team and waterfront recreation program, along with two boat lifts for individuals with mobility issues.

The six-foot-wide, L-shaped construction extends 294 feet west from the shore of the Caples campus and then 144 feet to the southwest. The dock site is about 50 feet south of The Ringling museum sea wall, and it was selected for its environmental compatibility and proximity to deep water.

New College worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Southwest Florida Water Management District to ensure full compliance with the stringent permitting requirements governing Sarasota Bay.

“The bay is one of Sarasota’s greatest natural assets,” said Jayne Gardiner, Ph.D., the director of the Pritzker Marine Biology Research Center and an associate professor of biology at New College. “With a dock that expands access to the bay, we can conduct more environmental and marine science research into this natural ecosystem, which benefits both our students and the bay itself.”

The dock was also constructed with environmentally-friendly materials: Surestep PVC open deck grating, designed for maximum sunlight penetration to underwater aquatic life; and high-density polyethylene piling wraps, which protect the water from any chemicals in the treated wood pilings.

New College’s location on Sarasota Bay has inspired a strong tradition of research and learning in marine biology and environmental studies. The data that student and faculty researchers have collected and analyzed over the years has positively impacted the local community and the world.