Public Lecture Series
All lectures are free and especially prepared for the public. They will be held at the The University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Visitors' Center Auditorium, Port Aransas, Texas. All Lectures start at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
For more information contact Linda Fuiman at
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or 361-749-6805.
To be notified by email of all public lectures, send your request to Dana Jensen at
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or 361-749-6741.
2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Kris Kirkwood, Master Naturalist in the Coastal Bend
"Plants Run Amok"
Throughout history plants have been introduced as a boon to mankind only to become expensive problems later. When an alien plant invades a native ecosystem, it forces out our native plants and forms a monoculture. Why do we care? Invaders decrease biodiversity, which means, fewer bird species, butterflies and other wildlife can survive in our area.
“On a global basis…the two great destroyers of biodiversity are first, habitat destruction, and second, invasion by exotic species” – E.O. Wilson.
The USDA recognizes 140 plants that are invasive in Texas, but the Texas Noxious Weed List contains only 33 plants that cause problems for farmers or hunters.
The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center saw a need to define the problem, standardize best-management practices for invasives, and educate the public to protect native ecosystems.
This presentation will include the most dangerous invasive plants in this area, how to recognize them, and how they can destroy the biodiversity in the Coastal bend.
Thursday, March 12, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Richard Watson, Consulting Geologist and University of Texas Marine Science Institute alumnus
"Hurricane Ike Wiped Out Entire Towns: Are We Safer in Port Aransas?"
Hurricane Ike ripped through the upper Texas coast on September 13, 2008. The damage on Bolivar Peninsula was severe; two towns were completely destroyed, and all other towns were heavily damaged, with over 3600 homes totally gone. Other than the seawall protecting the City of Galveston, only parts of the central Texas coast from North Padre Island to Matagorda Peninsula are protected by significant foredune ridges. The meager foredune ridges along the Texas coast from Freeport to the Louisiana border were destroyed, and the barrier islands and peninsulas were overwashed. Many homes were left standing on the beach seaward of the probable recovery vegetation line. They will likely have to be removed under state law and the Texas Open Beaches Act. Construction setbacks requiring new structures to be built further back from the beach should be considered. New rules should prohibit moving sand from the upper beach or dunes. The foredune ridges which serve as a natural dune seawall must be protected and enhanced.
Dr. Watson is a consulting geologist. To learn more about his work go to: http://TexasCoastGeology.com
Thursday, February 26, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Scott Holt, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
"Does Nemo Really Speak English?: How's and Why's of Fish Sounds in the Ocean."
Fish are sometimes difficult to see and study directly in the oceans. Scuba diving can help in shallow clear water, while active acoustic and optical techniques can help in deep water, but we are still largely ignorant of the distribution and behavior of many marine fishes. One of the first challenges for marine researchers in studying the biology and behavior of fish in the wild is locating them in the first place. Fishes, to some extent, have the same problem since many fish live in turbid waters, or are active at night, when visibility is poor. While lack of vision can be a problem many fish use sound to address the issue of living in an environment with limited visibility by producing sounds to communicate with each other while mating, feeding, being aggressinve or threatened.
Using underwater microphones, biologist can listen to these sounds and identify particular species, or even particular individuals, and gain a better understanding of fish behavior, reproduction, and migration. This presentation will describe the techniques used in the application of passive acoustics to fish biology and we will discuss some of the intriguing results of these studies.
Scott Holt is a Research Scientist with the University of Texas Marine Science Institute. Scott's research career has spanned a diverse array of topics within fisheries and ecology with his primary focus on the early life and ecology of sciaenid fishes. To learn more about his work go to:
http://www.utmsi.utexas.edu/staff/gjholt/faml/people_holts.asp
Thursday, February 12, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. John Metz, National Weather Service - NOAA
"Tracking Hurricanes: How Accurate Can it be?"
When the winds of a tropical storm reach 74 miles per hour, a hurricane is born. Determining the path it will take, how they grow and decay, and the hazards they can unleash on coastal communities can sometimes be challenging. Meteorologist John Metz will explain how the National Weather Service track these hurricanes.
Historically the deadliest hazard associated with these storms is storm surge. Comparisons will be made between the surge produced by hurricane Ike and past storms and a "what if" scenario will be presented as if Ike had struck the mid Texas coast directly. Damaging winds, flooding rains and tornadoes are other hazards that can accompany hurricanes and will be covered. Finally John will walk through the history of major hurricanes that have struck the Texas coast and the factors associated with busy hurricane seasons.
John Metz is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi. John graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Atmospheric Science in 1992. John has worked in the National Weather Service for 16 years.
Thursday, February 5, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Chris Shank, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
"An SOS Call From the Tropics"
Corals are the building blocks for spectacular reefs that exist in tropical ocean waters. A single coral head within a reef structure is actually a colony of individual polyps functioning as a single animal. These coral animals live in ‘symbiosis’ with a plant-like organism known as a zooxanthallae. The corals provide shelter and carbon dioxide for the zooxanthallae, and in turn, the zooxanthallae exude nutrients for the corals.
Unfortunately, coral reefs around the globe are currently fighting for survival. Incidence of disease and coral bleaching, where the zooxanthallae are expelled from the host coral leaving behind the calcium carbonate skeleton, are on the rise. Corals located near human populations seem especially susceptible to disease, while corals that exist is especially hot water or receive too much UV are susceptible to bleaching. Healthy coral reefs provide essential habitat for an incredibly diverse population of marine life, so we need to be listening to their SOS distress signal.
Dr. Shank is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute. His research interests include understanding the cycling of potentially toxic metals in coastal waters; geochemistry of coral ecosystems; processes impacting UV and visible light penetration in coastal waters; marine photochemistry. To learn more about Chris’s work go to: http://www.utmsi.utexas.edu/people/faculty/g-christopher-shank.html
Dr. Ken Webb, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
"Red, White, and Blue Fish. Why Choosing U.S. produced fish keeps you and the economy healthy."
The harvest of seafood from American waters is in decline and the culture of fish and shellfish has failed to keep up with increasing demands leaving a huge market for foreign seafood here in the U.S. and worldwide. The production of seafood for export to the United States continues to be a major enterprise. In 2006, the United States spent more than $13 billion to import seafood from around the world even though we have the capacity to produce much of this here at home. There are a number of reasons for this and we will discuss some of the most important issues as we look at the future of seafood production in the United States. We will discuss topics ranging from the sustainability of fishing to the quality of farmed seafood from around the world.
Dr. Ken Webb is a research fellow at The University of Texas Marine Science Institue. Dr. Webb completed his doctorate in 2008 from The University of Texas where he currently holds a research fellowship. Ken's field of study is nutrutional physiology. To learn more about Ken's previous work go to:
http://www.utmsi.utexas.edu/staff/gjholt/faml/people_associates.asp
Thursday, January 15, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Rick Tinnin, Reta Pearson, & John Williams, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
"Taking a WEC Trek"
Preservation of coastal wetlands and estuaries is vital to the health of area bays and the Gulf of Mexico. Seagrasses and shallow waters dissipate storm surges and prevent erosion, acting as natural buffers between land and sea. Educating school children and the public about the importance of wetlands to both nature and man is the objective of the Wetlands Education Center (WEC).
As we take this virtual WEC Trek through a saltwater marsh Dr. Rick Tinnin will present background information on the design, construction and proposed uses of the marsh. Reta Pearson will present an introductory lesson that will stimulate interest in the marsh habitat. Reta, Rick and John Williams will then introduce the public to the marsh through hands-on look at some of the plants and animals of this important habitat.
All three presenters are staff at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute. Dr. Rick Tinnin is Director of Marine Education Services, Reta Pearson is the Elderhostel Program Coordinator and John Williams is a Research Scientist Associate and Naturalist aboard the R/V Katy. To learn more about the marine education programs go to: http://146.6.184.140/outreach.html
2008
Thursday, January 29, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Tony Amos, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
"Arctic Adventures: Measuring a 12,000 Ft-Deep Ocean From a 6 Ft-Thick Ice Flow"
Among our company was the Englishman who walked across the Arctic ocean, an 18-year-old American C130 Loadmaster who didn't know there was a load manual on board, and the hydraulic motor repair man from Seattle who was told "Roy”, you're going north!", but didn't tell him how far - or for how long. Also, a Swedish scientist who used a piece of string to measure the ocean, and a Canadian who used micrometers to measure its tilt. There was also Jumper, the helicopter man from New Zealand, some Eskimo leg wrestling, huge cracks in the ice, and some perilous flights in a variety of flying machines. And finally, not forgetting the seal that used the hole in the ice in my oceanography hut as a breathing hole, and the discovery of peculiar underwater waves, first investigated nearly a century before. The tales of science and adventure!
Tony Amos is a Research Fellow at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute. Tony’s oceanographic career has spanned 36 years with research expeditions to all the world's oceans and many of its seas, including 35 cruises to the Antarctic and five to the Arctic. To learn more about Tony’s work go to: http://www.utmsi.utexas.edu/people/scientific-staff/anthony-f-amos.html
Thursday, January 22, 2009, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 6 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Hedy Edmonds, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
"The Search for Hydrothermal Vents in the Arctic Ocean"
Thursday, February 28, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Joan Holt, Scott Holt, Ken Webb, Dr. Elin Kjørsvik & Dr. Mark Fisher, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Norwegian
University of Science and Technology, and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
"Ask a Scientist - Panel Discussion. Sustainable Fisheries: Can We Get There from Here?"
Thursday, February 21, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Donna Shaver, Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery Padre Island National Seashore
"Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Nesting Increasing on the Texas Coast"
Thursday, February 14, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Lee A. Fuiman, UTMSI
"Keep Your Eye on the Birdie! Results of Three Decades of Coastal Bird Surveys on Mustang Island"
Thursday, February 7, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Tracy A. Villareal, UTMSI
"Toxic Fish in the Northern Gulf: What Should I Eat???"
Thursday, January 17, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Tony Amos, UTMSI
"Injured Sea Turtles and Other Marine Animals: We Try to Find Out Why"
- Thursday, March 15, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Lee Fuiman, UTMSI
"Underwater Behavior of Antarctica Seals"
Thursday, March 8, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
- Tony Amos, UTMSI
"More Than You May Ever Want To Know About 'Stuff' Washing Up On The Beach"
Thursday, February 22, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Ken Dunton, Dr. Wayne Gardner, Dr. Tamara Pease, Dr. Dong-Ha Min, and Dr. Jim McClelland, UTMSI
"Special Panel: Ask a Scientist - Climate Change"
Thursday, February 15, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
- Kiersten Madden, UTMSI
"Christmas with Seals on Bird Island, South Georgia Island"
Thursday, February 8, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Jim McClelland, UTMSI
"Changes in the Arctic Freshwater System: Responses and Feedbacks to Global Climate"
Thursday, February 1, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Lee Fuiman, Dr. Ed Buskey, Dr. Rick Tinnin, & Sally Morehead, UTMSI
"A Federal Reserve Has Come to Texas"
Thursday, January 25, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Liz Smith, Research Scientist, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi
"Why is That Bird There?: An Alternate Approach in Studying Bird Behavior and Habitat Use"
Thursday, January 18, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
- Ken Webb, UTMSI
"Fish: The OTHER, Other White Meat"
Thursday, January 11, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Bud Morris, Department of Communication, California State University, San Marcos
Nobel winning author John Steinbeck as ethnographer: An Appreciative Analysis of "The Log from the Sea of Cortez"
2006
- Thursday, March 30, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Ed Buskey, UTMSI
"Swarming Behavior, Bioluminescence and Copepods on Strings: These are a Few of my Favorite Things"
Thursday, March 16, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Rick Tinnin, UTMSI
"K thru Gray: An informal approach to Marine Science"
Thursday, March 9, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Tracy Villareal, UTMSI
"Itching Lips and Tingling Fingertips: Ciguatera Along the Texas Coast"
Thursday, March 2, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
- Amy Townsend-Small, UTMSI
"Adventures in Biogeochemistry: Graduate Travels in the Name of Science"
Thursday, February 16, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Scott Nunez, UTMSI
"The Mystery of the Medina Lake Sharks"
Thursday, February 2, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
- Tony Amos, UTMSI
"They Were the Right Whales in the Wrong Place: Marine Mammals Who Lost Their Way in South Texas"
Thursday, January 26, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Ken Dunton, UTMSI
"From Penguins to Polar Bears: A View of Marine Life Under Polar Ice"
Thursday, January 12, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Richard L. Watson, UTMSI Graduate
"Protect the Natural Dune Seawall: Our First Line of Defense Against Hurricanes"
- 2005
- Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
- Marc Russell, UTMSI
"Freshwater is Critical to Estuaries, Especially in South Texas"
- Thursday, March 17, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
- Tony Amos, UTMSI
"A Tale of Two Harleys: The ARK and its Animals at UTMSI"
- Thursday, March 10, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
- Mr. Scott Holt, UTMSI
"Coral Reefs of the Cayman Islands: The Beauty and the Omens"
- Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Lee Fuiman, UTMSI
“Diving with Seals Under Antarctica's Frozen Ocean"
- Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 9:30 a.m
- Dr. Paul Montagna and Dr. Rick Tinnin, UTMSI
"Wetlandology"
- Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 7:00 p.m
- Dr. Paul Montagna, UTMSI
"The National Estuarine Research Reserve: A Living Laborator"
- Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Joan Holt, UTMSI
“Can We Have Our Fish and Eat it Too? The Role of Fish Culture in Conserving Marine Resources"
- 2004
- Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Tamara Pease, UTMSI
"The Search for Primitive Life in Antarctica"
- Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
- Dr. Tracy Villareal, UTMSI
"Natural Toxins from the Sea: What’s in Your Seafood?"
- Thursday, February 19, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
- Matt Palmtag, UTMSI
"Fire Shrimp: Marine Ornamental Invertebrates, Can We Raise Them in Captivity Instead of Taking them from the Wild?"
- Thursday, February 12, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
- Scott Holt, UTMSI
"Songs of the Fishes: How Scientists Use Sounds Produced by Fish to Study their Biology"
- Thursday, February 5, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
- Tony Amos, UTMSI
"Antarctica: The Saga of Deep Freeze ‘81"
Thursday, January 22, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
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Contact: Linda Fuiman
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