I am partnering with NRDC to paddle my outrigger canoe 1200 miles around Florida and west to New Orleans. My goal is to build support for a Healthy Oceans Act and steps to protect our oceans from global warming and ocean acidifictaion. For those who do not know, I paddle to inform and for those who don’t care, I paddle to inspire. I am documenting my journey on this blog during the month-long paddle. You can read more about the paddle, see photos, and take action here.

Yesterday's departure from the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute was a very fitting place to begin my 1000 mile journey to New Orleans. The work they are doing boggles the mind. They do a lot of stuff with submersibles, among other things, and are capable of exploring conditions and creatures 3000 feet down. Not only does what they learn from their studies benefit us land-lubbers, especially when they discover new medicinal uses for the chemicals produced by various sponges and corals, but the conservation measures they need to take in order to survive for days at great depths with limited space and resources are also beneficial lessons.

Thankfully, the wind calmed down from what it was even the night before, and the paddle got off to a good first day on the water. After New Jersey's unusually cold winter, it was nice to be embraced by warmth. Good thing the sky hung fairly heavy with clouds, though, as I was lazy with the sunblock. While I'm now sporting sun-burned shins, it would have been worse if it were sunny and clear!

Another lesson relearned at the Institute was after I mentioned that a healthy ocean and coastal areas can best mitigate against the damages of increasingly warm and acidic waters. It was pointed out to me that nutrient overload is an ever increasing problem, especially for the shallow water reefs around the keys. Unfortunately, they are in a serious state of collapse due to, well, increased poo and runoff in the waters. The effects of climate change will only serve to bang the final nails in the coffin. There is however, reason to hope. With more education and the work of groups NRDC to help in this area, we can expect to see real change in the right direction.

Paddling into Stuart, my next stop, was pleasant enough. I spoke with a few fishermen. They were the casual type, and when I asked if they had anything good for dinner, they replied that while they've been catching some fair-sized trout, they'd been throwing them back because, "they didn't feel like dealing with the worms." That suprised me. Maybe the same water quality issues that leave the fish susceptible to worms are what is creating all the lesions and lumps in the Indian River dolphins. Harbor Branch, by the way, has been researching these dolphins. It will be interesting to see what they learn!

All in all, it was a good day one.