Retiring Sea Grant agent receives national award

December 17, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Don Sweat, the recently retired Florida Sea Grant marine extension agent for a multi-county region on the state’s west coast, has been awarded the national William Q. Wick Visionary Career Leadership Award in recognition of his career achievements in Sea Grant Extension.

Sweat was the first extension agent hired by Florida Sea Grant’s then-fledgling marine extension program in 1977. Upon his retirement earlier this year, he served as marine extension agent for Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus and Levy counties.

His accomplishments in aquaculture, commercial fisheries and marine education still resonate with coastal residents today. He is credited with helping found The Pier Aquarium in St. Petersburg, changing state regulations that govern the state’s marine sponge industry, and playing a principal role in research efforts that resulted in the reopening of the recreational scallop fishery off Citrus and Hernando counties.

“It’s difficult to begin to explain the impact and vision of a person that helped lay the foundation for the research and extension services provided through the Florida Sea Grant program on the west coast of Florida,” said Michael Spranger, the associate director for Sea Grant extension and education. Florida Sea Grant Extension functions as part of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension at the University of Florida.

“When Don started work, there was no template or path to follow, but his experience, talent and concerns regarding a variety of coastal issues, and his desire to help others have forged an approach that still serves the entire Sea Grant program,” Spranger said.

The Wick Award is given every other year by the extension program leaders of the 32 Sea Grant programs nationwide to recognize retired or soon-to-retire individuals for outstanding achievements in extension programming or administration.

Sweat served as a board member of the World Aquaculture Society, and is a fellow of the American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists. He is also a member of the International Pectinid Society, and helped host the organization’s 2003 biennial meeting in St. Petersburg that attracted more than 125 participants from 25 countries.