When

Thu, Aug. 23 - Fri, Aug. 24, 2012
6:30 pm - 5:30 pm
(GMT-05:00) America/Chicago

Where

James A. Baker III Hall

The purpose of the Aug. 24 workshop on Texas coral reefs is to raise awareness of the reefs and banks on the Texas continental shelf with scientists and the public. At this event, scientists, policymakers and community leaders will take an integrated, interdisciplinary look at the past, present and future of these unique and uncommon features. Discussions will also address the reefs" current and future condition over the next 50 years, in the context of global warming, ocean acidification, overfishing, general pollution and other possible environmental issues.

The workshop is sponsored by Rice University's Baker Institute Science and Technology Policy Program, the Center for the Study of the Environment and Society, and Shell Center for Sustainability, in conjunction with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

 

Co-chairs

 André W. Droxler, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Earth Science, and Director, Center for the Study of Environment and Society, Rice University

 John W. "Wes" Tunnell Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Director and Endowed Chair of Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies; and Regents Professor, Fulbright Scholar and Professor of Biology, Department of Life Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

 Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Ph.D.
Fellow in Science and Technology Policy, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University

 

Conference Agenda

Thursday, August 23

6:30 pm  Welcome and Introduction
The Honorable Edward P. Djerejian, Founding Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy

Public Lecture -- "Fifty Reasons to Love the Flower Garden Banks"
Jesse Cancelmo, Photographer, Author and Photojournalist

8:00 pm  Reception

Following the lecture, Cancelmo's book "Texas Coral Reefs" (Texas A&M University Press) will be available for purchase at a reduced price of $10, including tax (cash only). Cancelmo will also be available to sign copies of his book.

 

Friday, August 24

8:15 am  Breakfast and Registration

9:00 am  Welcome and Introduction

9:15 am  Panel I: Texas Coral Reefs Today

"South Texas Banks: What We Know and What We Don"t"
John W. "Wes" Tunnell Jr., Ph.D., Associate Director and Endowed Chair of Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies; and Regents Professor, Fulbright Scholar and Professor of Biology, Department of Life Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

"The Flower Garden Banks: Remarkable Coral Reefs in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico"
George "G.P." Schmahl, Superintendent, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

"International Policy Issues Associated With Managing Coral Reefs in the Gulf of Mexico"
Richard J. McLaughlin, J.S.D., Endowed Chair for Marine Policy and Law, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

10:45 am  Morning Break

11:15 am  "Ocean Acidification and Coral Reefs" (via video)
Joan A. Kleypas, Ph.D., Scientist, Oceanography Section, Climate and Global Dynamics Division, National Center for Atmospheric Research

11:45 am  Luncheon Keynote

Public Lecture -- "Crunching the Numbers: Texas' Artificial Reefs"
Greg Stunz, Ph.D.
, Endowed Chair for Fisheries and Ocean Health and Professor of Marine Biology, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and Professor of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

1:00 pm  Panel II: Texas Coral Reefs Yesterday

"Early Deglacial (19-11 Thousand Years Ago) Coralgal Bank Bloom on the South Texas Continental Shelf Edge"
André W. Droxler, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Earth Science, and Director, Center for the Study of Environment and Society, Rice University

"The Texas Mud Blanket: Record of Changing Sedimentation and Possible Influence on Reefs"
John B. Anderson, Ph.D., Maurice Ewing Professor of Oceanography and Professor, Department of Earth Science, Rice University

"Back to the Future: The History of Acroporid Corals at the Flower Garden Banks, Gulf of Mexico, USA"
William F. Precht, Program Manager, Damage Assessment, Restoration and Resource Protection Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

"Corals at the Flower Garden Banks: Monitors of Environmental Change"
Niall Slowey, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University

3:00 pm  Afternoon Break

3:30 pm  Panel III: Texas Coral Reefs Tomorrow

"Texas Reefs and Banks: Banking on Connectivity"
Harriet Nash, Ph.D. Candidate and Fellow, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

"Gulf of Mexico Reefs and Banks: Exploration and Production Industry Policy and Concerns"
Dwight "Clint" Moore, Vice President of Corporate Development, ION Geophysical Corporation

"Adaptive Management and Environmental Stewardship at the Flower Garden Banks and Other Coral Habitats of the Gulf of Mexico"
Gregory S. Boland, Biological Oceanographer, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

5:00 pm  Closing Discussion

 

 
To view the entire conference, please click below:
 
 
 

When

Thu, Aug. 23 - Fri, Aug. 24, 2012
6:30 pm - 5:30 pm
(GMT-05:00) America/Chicago

Where

James A. Baker III Hall