Seaside Chats
Seaside Chats is an annual speaker series about ocean science and conservation topics associated with Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. These presentations take place on Wednesday evenings in February, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Central Time).
- Presentations are free and presented via webinar. Our speakers include sanctuary staff and guests from partner organizations.
- Anyone is welcome to attend, but presentation content is most suited to those in middle school and above. Please register for the webinars below.
- We are happy to provide attendance certificates for all participants and continuing professional education (CPE) hours for teachers.
For more information, contact flowergarden@noaa.gov
Seaside Chats 2026
February 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (CT) - Stitching It Together: Photogrammetry and Photomosaics
Coral reef monitoring through photography is a long-standing tradition at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, with data collected for over 30 years. As technology advances, the sanctuary’s research team is introducing modeling methods through photogrammetry to enhance their long-term monitoring efforts. Donavon French is leading up the effort to better understand the health of the reef by stitching photos together to get a 3-D view and larger-scale 2-D images of the reef. (Photos courtesy of Donavon French)
Presented by Donavon French, Research Specialist, Cardinal Point Captains for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
February 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (CT) - Successful Partnerships: How to Remove 1,700 Pounds of Marine Debris from the Twilight Zone
Something unique happened in 2025 at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, a first of its kind effort and a new page in the marine debris removal playbook—how to successfully remove 1,700 pounds of marine debris from the seafloor 180 feet below. This is a partnership story of a federal agency, zoo and aquarium, not-for-profit, and marine salvage and response group of companies joining forces to not only complete their mission but also lay the groundwork for these areas to recover. Join us for a journey into the heavy lift of commercial diving in a national marine sanctuary, and learn about additional projects underway to support the health of our oceans for future generations. (Photos courtesy of Jake Emmert/Moody Gardens and Sierra Sarkis/NOAA)
Presented by Jake Emmert, Director of Marine Operations, Moody Gardens
March 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (CT) - Are Damsels Causing Distress?: Identifying traits that make marine invasive species successful
Across the globe, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are being reshaped by non-native species that can alter food webs, reduce biodiversity, and disrupt ecosystem functions. Despite the accelerating pace of invasive species introductions, we know little about the traits and conditions that allow invaders to succeed in new habitats. This talk will explore how marine invasive species are introduced, establish, and spread, focusing on the Regal Demoiselle fish, which has recently spread to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. (Photos courtesy of Dr. John Majoris)
Presented by Dr. John Majoris, Assistant Professor of Biology, Pennsylvania State University
Past Chats
Seaside Chats began in 2012 and have been offered almost every February since. Topics range from sanctuary wildlife, research, and expansion, to shipwrecks, whale strandings, and ocean exploration.
A brief summary of our previous Seaside Chats is provided below:
2025
Virtual
February 5 - Beachcombing Along the Gulf Coast
The Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi conducts weekly beach surveys to see what is washing up along Texas shorelines, then shares this information to educate the public. Jace Tunnell will talk about some of the odd and interesting things he has found during his beach surveys, including over 40 messages in a bottle, a live alligator, a prosthetic leg, illegal fishing gear, creepy dolls, money, and much more. The overall message is that debris in the ocean has real consequences for marine life in and out of the ocean.
Presented by Jace Tunnell, Director of Community Engagement, Harte Research Institute
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 12 - Fostering Coral Science in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
Join two NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholars studying coral habitats from shallow to mesophotic depths in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Discover how their science on historic coral carbon chemistry and present environmental baselines can help inform and guide sanctuary management decisions as we try to help these critical ecosystems remain resilient in a changing ocean. Learn all about coral cores and benthic landers, and how you can study coral ecosystems too!
Presented by Amanda Croteau, California State University, Sacramento; Philip Yang, University of Rhode Island
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 19 - Coral Reef Revival: New Solutions for a Changing Ocean
Coral reefs are in crisis, but we're not giving up! From citizen science tools to ocean alkalinity solutions, we're tackling the challenges head-on. Come discover the exciting new techniques we're exploring to help slow the decline of these vital ecosystems.
Presented by Dr. Keisha Bahr, Chair for Coral Reef and Ocean Health, Harte Research Institute
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
2024
Virtual
February 7 - Climate Monitoring in Flower Garden Banks and Florida Keys
Discussion of what we've learned from studying the mass coral bleaching event of 2023.
Presented by Nicole Besemer, Oceanographer, NOAA AOML Coral Program
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 21 - Fish, with Chips: Tracking Fish Movement at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
Introduction to how a network of instruments is being used to track fish around the sanctuary and some of the interesting findings.
Presented by Marissa Nuttall, Research Specialist, FGBNMS
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 28 - Chasing Microbes: Diving into the Mystery of Coral Disease
Discussion of how scientists have worked to identify the mystery disease that affected sanctuary reefs in 2022.
Presented by Adrienne Correa, University of California – Berkeley; Laura Mydlarz, University of Texas Arlington; Dan Holstein, Louisiana State University
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
2023
Virtual
February 1 - The Best Job Ever!
Highlights of a career in scientific diving and exploration that led to Steve Gittings becoming the first FGBNMS sanctuary manager.
Presented by Steve Gittings, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 8 - Reconstructing the Flower Garden Banks from the Inside Out
Discussion of the fossil reef discovered beneath the existing reefs at the Flower Garden Banks in 2006-2007.
Presented by Bill Precht, Dial Cordy and Associates, Inc.
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 15 - Exploring a Future Sanctuary
Highlights of research and exploration (1960-1990) leading to the designation of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
Presented by Tom Bright, retired, Texas A&M University
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 22 - Coral Forensics in the Deep Flower Garden Banks
Introduction to environmental DNA (eDNA) and what it can tell us about mesophotic corals, even when we can't see them.
Presented by Luke McCartin, Graduate Researcher, Lehigh University
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
2022
Virtual
February 2 - Sex Lives of Corals: From Spawning to Conservation
Introduction to the fascinating reproductive behavior of coral and what scientists are learning about their adaptability and resilience.
Presented by Sarah Davies, Boston University
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 9 - Paradise Lost? Future Fisheries in a Climate-Driven Gulf
Discussion of potential climate impacts to Gulf fisheries and possible interventions to reduce those impacts.
Presented by Sepp Haukebo, Environmental Defense Fund
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 16 - Discovering Climate History in Coral Skeletons
Discussion of how scientists study coral skeletons to chronicle how the ocean and the coral reef have changed over time.
Presented by Kristine DeLong, Louisiana State University
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 23 - How Humpback Whales Feed Hawai'i
Discussion of the importance of whales to the entire ocean food chain around Hawai'i.
Presented by Jeannine Rossa, Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale NMS
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
2021
Virtual
February 3 - Mission: Iconic Reefs - An Ambitious Plan to Restore 7 Sites in the Florida Keys
Highlights of an ambitious approach to restore corals at seven ecologically significant sites in the Florida Keys.
Presented by Sarah Fangman, Sanctuary Superintendent, Florida Keys NMS
February 10 - Manta Rays: The Mysterious Giants in our Backyard
Discussion about what scientists are learning about manta rays in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
Presented by Dr. Joshua Stewart, Associate Director, The Manta Trust
Webinar Recording
February 24 - Remarkable Algae in FGBNMS
Introduction to rhodoliths and their role in the life cycle of algae, as well as their ecological importance in mesophotic habitats.
Presented by Suzanne Frederiq, Professor of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
2020
at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
February 5 - Undersea Robotics
Introduction to how remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) support ocean exploration at depth.
Presented by Eric Glidden, University of NC Wilmington-Undersea Vehicle Program
February 12 - Mysteries of Black Corals
Discussion of black corals in the Gulf through DNA, structure, and age studies, including collections from a live telepresence trip in August 2019.
Presented by Mercer Brugler, NYC College of Technology (CUNY), Black Coral Lab
February 19 - R/V MANTA, 11 Years of Service
Highlights of this multi-faceted research vessel used for ocean exploration and research in the Gulf.
Presented by Melissa Trede, Vessel Operations Coordinator, FGBNMS/NOAA Corps
February 26 - What's New in the Blue?
Discussion of 2019 sanctuary research, monitoring, and expansion activities in the Gulf.
Presented by G.P. Schmahl, Sanctuary Superintendent, FGBNMS
2018
at Texas A&M Galveston, Waterfront Pavilion
February 21 - Corals: More Than Your Garden Variety
Discussion of the differences between various types of coral (hard, soft, octo, black) found in and around the sanctuary.
Presented by Marissa Nuttall, FGBNMS
February 28 - Okeanos Expedition 2017: Surprising Finds in the Gulf
Highlights of the interesting discoveries encountered by NOAA's ship Okeanos Explorer during a December 2017 expedition in the Gulf.
Presented by Charles Messing, Nova Southeastern University
March 7 - Reef Resilience: Bleaching, Mortality and Hurricanes, Oh My!
Introduction to the impacts of coral bleaching, a mass mortality event, and hurricanes on our precious reefs.
Presented by Dr. Michelle Johnston, FGBNMS