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Environmentalists from across the state are paying close attention to the 2010 election season and hoping the candidates understand the importance of Florida’s coastal health.

The 2010 Ocean Conference was held in Tallahassee today. Environmentalists, political experts, and journalists addressed the changing coastal environment, the impact of the gulf oil leak, and how a new administration might shake up the state’s response and ocean policy. James Murley, the Director of the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at Florida Atlantic University says after the General election… the state’s environmental policy could change drastically.

“We have never had all the governor and cabinet elected in the same November. A total turnover so it’s important that we use this meeting to prepare for that transition and to work together as we have in the past,” said Murley.

The main change the environmentalists worry about is losing the current Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, Mike Sole. The environmentalists are pleased with Sole’s response to the Gulf Oil Spill, but fear a new Governor might appoint someone else to the position.