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Ocean Research & Conservation Association

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Ocean Research & Conservation Association

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Deep-sea explorer and MacArthur fellow, Dr. Edie Widder, co-founded the Ocean Research & Conservation Association, Inc.

Protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems and species they sustain through the development of innovative technologies, science-based conservation action, and community education and outreach. (ORCA) in 2005, with a focus on developing innovative technologies to protect and restore our aquatic ecosystems and the species they sustain. ORCA is the world’s first technology-based marine conservation organization. Since ORCA’s inception, Dr. Widder and the ORCA team have made great progress in using the latest technologies to develop low-cost solutions for the analysis of impacted waterways. Among the current programs at ORCA are the EcoToxicity program and the Kilroy program, which provide real-time water quality information to identify sources of nonpoint source pollution in coastal and estuarine waters. ORCA's Citizen Science program aims to educate and engage all members of the community, regardless of age, gender, education, race, or religion, in solving the problems that are leading to the degradation of the Indian River Lagoon and connecting waterways.

10/29/2026

Earlier this week, ORCA CEO, Dr. Edie Widder joined former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Congressman Darren Soto for a visit to the City of Vero Beach's water treatment facility, where Robert Bolton, Water and Sewer Director with the City, provided a tour and shared insights into innovative efforts to improve local water quality.

ORCA is working with the City of Vero Beach to monitor the impact of their canal-to-irrigation project, an initiative designed to capture and treat stormwater, to reduce nutrients and sediments entering the IRL and provide a valuable alternative water source for irrigation.

At ORCA, we believe meaningful environmental progress begins with strong science. By providing scientific data and environmental expertise we inform decision makers and support practical solutions that protect and restore our waterways.

10/25/2026

10/23/2026

10/23/2026

10/07/2026

New research on the Indian River Lagoon’s bioluminescent blooms.

A newly published study (*) examines Pyrodinium bahamense, a bioluminescent dinoflagellate that produces the powerful neurotoxin saxitoxin and forms recurring blooms in the Indian River Lagoon.

Researchers documented genetic diversity among P. bahamense strains, including differences in the number of copies of genes associated with toxin production, photosynthesis, and bioluminescence. Importantly, the number of sxtA4 toxin-gene transcripts was positively correlated with measured toxicity, suggesting it could provide a molecular way to monitor bloom toxicity.

The study also found that as populations grew, toxin quota decreased, pointing to a complex relationship between growth, toxicity, and bioluminescence. Together, the findings suggest that both toxin production and bioluminescence may play important roles in the development and persistence of these blooms.

This work provides new insight into the genomic diversity and toxin dynamics underlying one of the Indian River Lagoon’s recurring harmful algal blooms.

*Toxin Dynamics and Genomic Diversity in Pyrodinium bahamense Populations from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Kathleen D. Cusick, Jackie Palau, Malcolm N. McFarland and Edith A. Widder. Toxins 2026, 18, 423

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/18/10/423

10/07/2026

Join the Ocean Research & Conservation Association for an Open House to explore our laboratory, learn how we use real-time water quality monitoring and pollution mapping to protect the Indian River Lagoon, and discover how you can get involved!

Come see firsthand how science, technology, and community action come together to make a difference for our waters.

Thursday, October 15 from 10am-2pm
Ocean Research & Conservation Association
1235 16th Street, Vero Beach

10/05/2026

Join our team and be part of the science, innovation, and community engagement driving real solutions to protect and restore our local aquatic ecosystems.

We’re currently hiring for two positions:

🔬 Research Assistant
📊 Finance Manager

Explore the opportunities and learn how to apply:
https://www.teamorca.org/open-positions/

10/01/2026

It’s always exciting to see what’s growing on and living around our Kilroy equipment between cleanings.

As part of regular maintenance of ORCA’s Kilroy Water Quality Monitoring Network, our team cleans the YSI instruments at each station. These instruments are equipped with sensors that measure important water quality parameters including dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, conductivity, pH, fDOM and ORP.

When the instruments are pulled from the water for cleaning, there can be a lot of life to discover! This YSI and its cables were covered with colorful tunicates, oysters and other marine growth, with shrimp, crabs and small fish also making themselves at home around the equipment. After getting a closer look, the little critters were returned to the water.

Keeping the instruments and sensors clean helps ensure they continue collecting accurate, reliable water quality data from the Lagoon. And all of the incredible life we find growing on and living around them is a reminder of why we work so hard to monitor, understand and protect these waters and the many species that depend on them.

Address

1235 16th Street
Vero Beach, FL
32960

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17725629052

Website

http://www.teamorca.org/

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