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Every year, FIO, a University of South Florida Institute, brings Florida’s ocean community together at the State Capitol to celebrate our coastlines, marine research, and the people working to protect them. This long-standing event has become a cornerstone for researchers, scientists, legislators, students, industry leaders, and advocates committed to healthy coastal waters and a thriving ocean economy.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 10 AM – 3 PM
Florida Capitol – South Plaza
Join us for exhibits, networking, and the signature fish fry- a celebration of Florida seafood and science that brings together over a thousand attendees each year.
Showcase your organization’s work and connect with leaders across Florida’s marine and coastal sectors.
Exhibit Fee: $300
Includes one table, two chairs, and food tickets for attendees. Additional tables are available at $50/per. Your registration helps cover event setup and materials. Once you’ve registered, FIO will confirm or create your profile in the USF System to process payment (returning exhibitors should still have an active profile in the system).
Bonus: Booth attendees get first access to the FIO Fish Fry with their event lanyard before the general public.
Help make Oceans Day 2026 our most impactful event yet. Sponsorships support event logistics and the popular Fish Fry, which brings people together to celebrate Florida’s connection to the sea.
Sponsors receive recognition on:
Contact: Kim Gregory, FIO/KML Community Outreach Director, kimberlygregory@usf.edu
Oceans Day 2026 is supported by organizations that share our passion for healthy oceans.
Since its start in the late 1990s, Florida Oceans Day has grown into a powerful platform for collaboration between policymakers, scientists, and citizens. Organized and hosted by the Florida Institute of Oceanography, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, and the Florida Ocean Alliance, the event highlights new research, innovations, and the shared mission to sustain Florida’s marine environment and ocean economy for generations to come.
For more information about Oceans Day, please contact event representatives from the Florida Institute of Oceanography, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, or the Florida Ocean Alliance.
Join us as we continue this tradition of collaboration that connects science, policy, and community in support of Florida’s oceans.
A Look Back at Oceans Day
Moments from past Oceans Days where science, research, and community come together at the Capitol.
