The lab was now at a Bureau level and no longer required a laboratory Supervisor and George Henderson became an Environmental Administrator acting as liaison between the Institute, community, and environmental organizations. Karen Steidinger became Chief of Research. Between 1983 and 1988, new programs were added to the Institute which included blue crabs, spotted seatrout, GIS, fisheries independent monitoring, fisheries statistics, biochemical systematics, queen conch, hard clams, baitfish, mullet red drum stock enhancement, and fish health. Some of these projects were started with state funds while others were started with federal dollars, mainly NOAA. In 1988-89 the Institute budget was $8 million with 113 full-time career service staff and 50-60 part time staff. The main lab was still in St. Petersburg with field labs in Fort Myers, Marathon, Tequesta, Stuart, and Port Manatee.
(Photo: October, 1970 Fish Expo. Ed Joyce fields public questions)

In 1988, Pamela McVety replaced Ed Joyce as Division Director of Marine Resources and now heads the Office of Ecosystem Management. In 1991, Ed Conklin became the new Division Director and in 1993 Charles Futch retired as Assistant Division Director and was replaced by Ed Irby. Between 1980 and 1990, the Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI) survived a Governor's office programmatic audit, an internal administrative audit, and an Auditor General's programmatic audit.
(Photo: Ed Irby collecting clams, 1969)

During this hectic time, FMRI was still able to produce two 5-year research plans that were accepted by the Governor and Cabinet. FMRI was also able to serve as staff to the Saltwater Fisheries Study and Advisory Council that in 1982 recommended the establishment of a state Marine Fisheries Commission. The commission was established in 1983. Two of the most significant fiscal developments during this time were the establishment of fishing license fees for recreational anglers (1989) and saltwater products harvest licenses for commercial fishermen.

Also in the 1980's, the Institute developed the fisheries independent and dependent monitoring programs. Much of the direction and structure of these programs was orchestrated by Stu Kennedy. Also at that time, Ken Haddad was principally responsible for moving along the GIS and remote sensing section of the Institute (which was almost moved to the University of Florida). In 1985, Peter Betzer, Director of the University of South Florida's Marine Science Department, and Karen Steidinger, Director of FMRI, discussed the need for growth within each of their programs and the advantages of a joint use facility.
(Photo: 1979 construction of the new laboratory building C)

Through Department and state university support, local community support, and legislative support, the new joint facility was built and completed in 1994. During that time, Karen Steidinger stepped down from position as Chief of the Institute (1993) and Stu Kennedy served as interim Chief until Ken Haddad was appointed the new Chief in the summer of 1993. In 1999 FMRI became a part of the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
(Photo: Building C in 1982)

After more than three and a half decades later, the Florida Marine Research Institute now employs over 400 people, 346 of which are scientific research and technical staff. The main laboratory consists of three buildings at Bayboro Harbor and there are eleven field laboratories throughout the state.

The number of studies has grown from one (on red tide) to over three hundred research projects within broad, interrelated program areas of Fisheries Assessment, Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration, and Information Science and Management. Program projects include Fisheries-Independent and Dependent Monitoring, Fisheries Biology, Fisheries Stock Assessment, Coral Reefs & Hard Grounds, Habitat Assessment & Restoration, Aquatic Health, Harmful Algal Blooms, Environmental Monitoring & Assessment, Endangered & Threatened Species, Fisheries Stock Enhancement, Coastal & Marine Resource Assessment, Information Access, and Computer Management. FMRI's annual operating budget is approximately $30 million.
(Photo: Florida Marine Research Institute today)