Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies

We made sharks a bit more official in the Coastal Bend this year, first with a mayoral proclamation by the City of Corpus Christi City Council and Mayor Paulette Guajardo naming July 14th each year as "Shark Research Day", then with a resolution by the Nueces County Commissioner's Court and Judge Connie Scott naming the week of July 14th as "Shark Appreciation Week" each year. We are so thankful for the support of our community in recognizing the importance of sharks and shark conservation in the Gulf of Mexico! 🦈🌊🤙

It's #SharkAwarenessDay and we've got a brand new episode of The Gulf Stream Podcast Shorts featuring Texas Game Wardens Captain Ben Baker! Ben visited with HRI's Dr. Kesley Banks out at Port Aransas Fisherman's Wharf about how they work to protect our state's shark fisheries. Hear how they enforce illegal, underreported, and unregulated fishing, and how they promote conservation-minded stewardship of our resources. Watch on YouTube now -->> https://lnkd.in/gYY4b5nr

This week’s #ThursdayBirdsday is about sharks of course! That's right, birds AND sharks! Unlike adult Tiger Sharks, Tiger Shark pups are primarily scavengers. During the spring and fall, these juvenile sharks can exploit a unique food source – migratory birds! A study on Tiger Shark stomach contents from researchers at Mississippi State University (Drymon et al. 2019) found that ~40% of juvenile and small adult Tiger Sharks captured had eaten songbirds during the migration seasons, evidenced by feathers, bones, or even complete carcasses. Billions of songbirds cross the Gulf of Mexico during these periods and those that are weak or fall victim to the winds and waves become a floating cafeteria of meat and feathers for juvenile Tiger Sharks and other large fish. Sad though it may seem for the birds, they are a potentially important food source for these sharks, which may even time their breeding cycle such that their young are able to exploit peak bird migration in the fall. This phenomenon thus has the potential to be an important transfer of nutrients from the terrestrial realm to the marine realm. Tune in to Shark Week tonight on Discovery to catch HRI researcher Dr. Kesley Banks on "Caught! When Sharks Attack", airing at 9pmEST/8pmCST, and head out to our FREE community watch party at Brewster Street Downtown from 6-9pm here in Corpus Christi to watch it with our scientists! #IslandersSharkWeek2024 #SharkWeek

Another one of our research programs is getting in on the #SharkWeek action! This time our Marine Policy & Law Endowed Chair Kristina Alexander is bringing you an all-new issue of her Third Coast Lines publication titled, "Gulf of Mexico Shark Lore and Law". Shark law doesn't change with the tides, but it does change with the waters they're in. In this issue, Kristina talks about some of the issues facing Gulf shark populations and outlines some of the laws and regulations that help to protect them. Read now at https://bit.ly/4eYGHBI

Happy #SharkWeek and happy Season Two of our podcast! We're kicking it off with a new episode - "Sharks from Behind the Lens" 🦈🎥 HRI Director Greg Stunz chats with Joe Romeiro -underwater filmmaker/cameraman who we worked with on the Monster Mako series for Shark Week a few years ago. Joe shares what goes into capturing the amazing footage we see on TV, what got him into sharks and shark awareness, and what he's observed with shark populations in his work. Listen now on your favorite platforms! www.gulfstreampodcast.org

Are you getting excited for next week?? We sure are! As you head out for the holiday weekend, get prepared for #IslanderSharkWeek2024 by tuning in to last year's episode of The Gulf Stream Podcast featuring Dr. Kesley Banks filmed at the Texas State Aquarium. She talks about how she found her love for sharks, what it's like to be on Shark Week, and the innovative shark research her and the team at HRI's Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation work on. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch now on YouTube -> https://lnkd.in/gAedqZJw

We are proud to share that HRI Doctoral student Ulsia Urrea Marino will be a speaker at this upcoming webinar with the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) on Wednesday July 10th! Register for the Zoom event here -->>https://bit.ly/4cE6mxD

Mark your calendars to join us for a JAWsome time Thursday July 11th for a free, family-friendly watch party for Shark Week! Visit with our shark scientists, learn about Gulf sharks and ecosystems, get some cool shark swag, enter to win a Yeti "chum bag" door prize, and watch our episode along with the star this year! Tag some friends and come on out!

The Oyster Resource and Recovery Center at HRI has just launched a new online platform for Texas oyster farming! 🦪💻 The new website includes self-paced free workforce training courses that are easily accessible for anyone interested in getting started in Texas' rapidly growing oyster farming industry. The site also has resources for oyster farms and an interactive map to locate farmers and restaurants selling farmed oysters. Learn more about the program at https://bit.ly/ORRCwebsite

Our Coastal Ecosystem Processes program is currently seeking a Laboratory Manager (Research Specialist I-III). This position plays a key role in overall management of a water quality lab and will also be responsible for analysis of water samples obtained by the research group. View the full position description and apply now at https://bit.ly/3z817I6