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Chad Truxall, director of education for the Marine Discovery Center and a graduate of the University of Florida, spoke to the Smyrna Yacht Club Ladies at a luncheon on March 8.

Mr. Truxall introduced attendees to many “critters” that reside in coastal waters, including blue crabs, snails, squid, fiddler crabs, lobsters and sponges. The most familiar to the audience, which caused shivers, were sharks. New Smyrna Beach is categorized as the shark- bite capital of the world. The black-tip shark, which measures up to 8 feet, is one of the most abundant and the culprit for most shark bites in New Smyrna Beach.

Mr. Truxall emphasized the importance of mangroves to the overall health of the Florida ecosystem. Mangroves provide nursery areas for fish, crustaceans and shellfish as well as food for a multitude of marine species. They also provide shelter and nesting areas for birds and protect our shores from erosion during major storm events. Florida’s estuaries would be negatively affected without healthy mangroves.

Mr. Truxall spoke of the many programs the Discovery Center offers for all ages, including Eco Tours, Summer Camps and Educational Programs.

The Marine Discovery Center is membership driven and Mr. Truxall’s enthusiasm for the center and its mission provoked great interest in the audience. The center always welcomes new members and volunteers.

The Marine Discovery Center is a non-profit educational facility dedicated to preserve and protect the Indian River Lagoon through education, research and community outreach.