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 Kelly.Drinnen@noaa.gov
Seaside Chats 2023
February 1, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (CT) - The Best Job Ever!
The modern history of the Flower Garden Banks is a series of transitions--a Mystery Era that lasted for nearly 30 years, the Discovery Era in the 1960s, the Enlightenment Era in the 1970s and early 1980s, then the Sanctuary Era. Steve Gittings was fortunate to be part of the last two, working on the banks starting in 1980, then being selected as the first sanctuary manager in 1992. His mentor, Tom Bright, called it "a plum job." It was even better! Let Steve take you back to that time and tell stories about the best job he will ever have. (Photo credit: Joyce & Frank Burek)
Presented by Steve Gittings, Chief Scientist, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (CT) - Reconstructing the Flower Garden Banks from the Inside Out
Who knew, that hidden beneath the beautiful reefs we know and love, lay ancient reefs of a different nature? In 2006-2007, while conducting annual long-term monitoring activities at the Flower Garden Banks, researchers discovered remnants of a fossil reef comprised of elkhorn and staghorn corals, species almost non-existent on our reefs today. This discovery has dramatically altered our understanding of reef development at the Flower Garden Banks and the response of coral communities to changing climate through time.
Presented by Bill Precht, Director of Marine and Coastal Programs, Dial Cordy and Associates, Inc.
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (CT) - Exploring a Future Sanctuary
For three decades, between 1960 and 1990, researchers explored the reefs and fishing banks off Texas and Louisiana using scuba tanks and submarines. They even contemplated installing an underwater habitat that would allow them to live and work underwater for extended periods of time. All this was done largely to satisfy their curiosity, but also to protect and conserve. The end result? Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary! Join us for a trek down memory lane with Tom Bright, father of the Flower Garden Banks.
Presented by Tom Bright, retired Director of Texas Sea Grant
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (CT) - Coral Forensics in the Deep Flower Garden Banks
Like all marine animals, corals leave behind genetic traces in their environment. Scientists refer to these genetic traces as environmental DNA or eDNA. Similar to forensics, marine biologists can sequence this eDNA to determine what animals have passed through an area or are nearby but not easily seen. Learn how Luke McCartin sequences eDNA to better understand the corals that live in the deepest waters of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, even when he can't see them! (Photo courtesy of NOAA National Center for Coastal Ocean Science and the CYCLE project)
Presented by Luke McCartin, Graduate Researcher, Lehigh University
Webinar Recording (captions in process)
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:
2022
Virtual
February 2 - Sex Lives of Corals: From Spawning to Conservation
Corals exhibit some of the most fascinating reproductive behavior in the animal kingdom. This spawning behavior allows coral researchers to better understand coral symbiosis, dispersal, and responses to climate change.
Presented by Sarah Davies, Boston University
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 9 - Paradise Lost? Future Fisheries in a Climate-Driven Gulf
Climate change threatens key life support systems on our planet, especially our oceans. With thoughtful interventions, these impacts can be significantly reduced, and perhaps even reversed.
Presented by Sepp Haukebo, Environmental Defense Fund
Webinar Recording (English and Spanish captions available)
February 16 - Discovering Climate History in Coral Skeletons
The skeletons of massive corals grow in annual layers, similar to tree rings. Scientists can look at these yearly skeletal records 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
Whales boost the entire food chain by shedding their skin, which is made up of proteins and fats, perfect for zooplankton to eat. More zooplankton means more fishes, octopus, and coral.
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
Emergency action is required to change the trajectory of the health of coral reefs in the Keys. NOAA and partners have developed an ambitious approach to restore corals at seven ecologically significant sites in the Florida Keys.
Presented by Sarah Fangman, Sanctuary Superintendent, Florida Keys NMS
Webinar Recording
February 10 - Manta Rays: The Mysterious Giants in our Backyard
An undescribed species of manta ray has been hiding in plain sight in the Atlantic, including at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. What are these rays doing off the coast of Texas? What are scientists learning about this population, and what remains to be discovered?
Presented by Dr. Joshua Stewart, Associate Director, The Manta Trust
Webinar Recording
February 24 - Remarkable Algae in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
The critical importance rhodoliths play in the life cycle of algae has revolutionized preconceived ideas about the ecological importance of this unexplored ecosystem.
Presented by Suzanne Frederiq, Professor of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Webinar Recording
2020
at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
February 5 - Undersea Robotics
Discover how remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) support seafloor research and how technology enhances our capability to capture data from the ocean’s depths.
Presented by Eric Glidden, University of NC Wilmington-Undersea Vehicle Program
February 12 - Mysteries of Black Corals
Find out what we've learned about black corals in the Gulf of Mexico through DNA, structure, and age studies. Hear about sample collection experiences from the 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
Learn how this multi-faceted research vessel has made a difference in ocean exploration and research in the Gulf of Mexico.
Presented by Melissa Trede, Vessel Operations Coordinator, FGBNMS/NOAA Corps
February 26 - What's New in the Blue?
See what FGBNMS staff and associates have been doing in the Gulf of Mexico this past year in terms of research, monitoring, and expansion efforts.
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) encountered in explorations in and around the sanctuary.
Presented by Marissa Nuttall, FGBNMS
February 28 - Okeanos Expedition 2017: Surprising Finds in the Gulf of Mexico
Highlights of the interesting discoveries encountered by NOAA's ship for exploration, Okeanos Explorer, during a December 2017 expedition in the Gulf of Mexico.
Presented by Charles Messing, Nova Southeastern University
March 7 - Reef Resilience: Bleaching, Mortality and Hurricanes, Oh My!
Introduction to the consequences of coral bleaching, a mass mortality event, and hurricanes on our precious reefs.
Presented by Dr. Michelle Johnston, FGBNMS
2017
at Sea Star Base Galveston
Webinar recordings available by request. Email flowergarden@noaa.gov.
February 8 - Manta Rays and More!
Introduction to manta rays, whale sharks and other big visitors to the sanctuary.
Presented by Marissa Nuttall, FGBNMS
February 15 - Celebrating 25 Years!
Discussion of the sanctuary's history from its humble beginnings in 1992 to a sanctuary on the verge of expansion in 2017, followed by a tour of R/V MANTA.
Presented by G.P. Schmahl, FGBNMS
February 22 - Reef Romance
Discussion of underwater romance and reproduction on the reef.
Presented by Kelly Drinnen, FGBNMS
2016
at Sea Star Base Galveston
February 10 - Managing Invasive Lionfish
Discussion of the invasive lionfish problem followed by a lionfish dissection demonstration.
Presented by Dr. Michelle Johnston, FGBNMS
February 17 - Why Do Whales & Dolphins Strand?
Discussion of marine mammal strandings and updates on the recent whale stranding in Galveston, with a marine mammal artifact display.
Presented by Heidi Whitehead, Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network
February 24 - What's News at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary?
Presentation about the latest sanctuary activities and the upcoming proposal for sanctuary expansion, followed by tours of R/V MANTA.
Presented by G.P. Schmahl, FGBNMS
2015
at Moody Gardens Aquarium
February 4 - Taking the Reef on the Road
Introduction to the new Reef on the Road Traveling Exhibit, including a visit with the exhibit while it was on display at the Moody Gardens Aquarium.
Presented by Kelly Drinnen, FGBNMS
February 11 - What's In a Name?
Discussion of ocean exploration around various banks of the northern Gulf of Mexico and the origins of the bank names.
Presented by Kelly Drinnen, FGBNMS
February 18 - Expanding Sanctuary Horizons
Discussion of the recently released Notice of Intent for Sanctuary Expansion.
Presented by G.P. Schmahl, FGBNMS
2014
at Moody Gardens Aquarium
February 5 - What are National Marine Sanctuaries?
Background on the National Marine Sanctuary System and each of the sites within it.
Presented by Kelly Drinnen, FGBNMS
February 12 - Deep Water Tools & Technology
Discussion of the tools and technology used for exploration in deep areas around the sanctuary, including a display of ROV technology used by NOAA.
Presented by Emma Hickerson, FGBNMS
February 19 - Shallow Water Tools & Technology
Discussion of the tools and technology used along with scuba for exploration in shallow areas around the sanctuary as NOAA divers in the South Pacific exhibit demonstrated the use of those tools.
Presented by Michelle Johnston, FGBNMS
February 26 - Remotely Tracking Sealife
Discussion of techniques and technology used for tracking sharks and rays in the Gulf of Mexico.
Presented by David Wells, Texas A&M University-Galveston
2013
at Texas Seaport Museum
January 30 - Coral Reefs of Texas
Introduction to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
Presented by Kelly Drinnen, FGBNMS
February 6 - Sanctuary Science
Discussion of the various science activities taking place in the sanctuary.
Presented by Emma Hickerson, FGBNMS
February 13 - Expanding Sanctuary Horizons
Discussion of the Sanctuary Expansion Action Plan.
Presented by G.P. Schmahl, FGBNMS
February 20 - Shipwrecks of Galveston
A look at various shipwrecks in the Galveston area, including recent mapping of the USS Hatteras wreck.
Presented by Amy Borgens, Texas Historical Commission
February 27 - Fish Do the Strangest Things
Discussion of unusual behaviors and life cycles of sanctuary fish species.
Presented by Kelly Drinnen, FGBNMS
2012
at Galveston Fishing Pier
February 8 - Coral Reefs of Texas
Introduction to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
Presented by Kelly Drinnen, FGBNMS
February 15 - Romance on the Reef
Discussion of the annual mass spawning of corals in the sanctuary.
Presented by Shelley DuPuy, FGBNMS
February 20 - The New Krewe in Town
Discussion of new species in the sanctuary, both good and bad, including the invasive lionfish.
Presented by Dr. Michelle Johnston, FGBNMS
February 27 - A Diver's Eye View
An underwater perspective on the northwestern Gulf of Mexico.
Presented by Jesse Cancelmo, diver/photographer
March 7 - Manta Rays, Whale Sharks & Turtles, Oh My!
Discussion of research in the sanctuary focused on manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles.
Presented by Marissa Nuttall, FGBNMS