Cousteau Divers North America to locate its North American headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Brings Economic Development to the Region
Cousteau Divers North America to locate its North American headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg, Fla. (January 27, 2012) - As part of its commitment to ocean research and conservation, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnershiphas recruited Cousteau Divers North America to locate its North American headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. Cousteau Divers North America is an international not-for-profit organization fostering scientific programs that monitor and conserve marine biodiversity around the world.

"Pierre Yves Cousteau was impressed with St. Petersburg’s powerful marine science and technical complex and the extensive group of ‘can do’ regional collaborators that will almost certainly be used by Cousteau Divers as a model for other global partners to try and emulate,” said Dr. Peter Betzer, president of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership.

The Partnership will facilitate introductions and help Cousteau Divers North America build relationships with the Tampa Bay area marine community. Essential relationships that will be fostered include marine research and educational groups such as the St. Petersburg Ocean Team, the Marine Discovery Center and Aquarium, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Tampa Bay Watch, Inc., Florida Sea Grant and Canterbury School of Florida. The Partnership will connect Cousteau Divers North America with community diving clubs to aide in club recruitment and oversee the development and writing of a diver’s manual designed for use on the West Coast of Florida. Additionally, Cousteau Divers North America will have access to the leading technology being developed at USF’s College of Marine Science, within its Center for Ocean Technology and at SRI St. Petersburg

USF’s College of Marine Science will house Cousteau Divers North America until long-term office space is established. The Partnership plans to support private funding efforts for the St. Petersburg headquarters of Cousteau Divers North America.

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