Channel Title: Harte Research Institute Channel Description: The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth-largest body of water in the world and a giant laboratory to explore the greatest questions facing our oceans today. The Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, founded in 2000, works across the Gulf—bringing together three countries and multiple disciplines to create science-based solutions that have a lasting impact. Because we believe what’s good for the entire Gulf is good for us all. <video> Spotter Buoy WASHED UP at Beach! Description: A Spotter Buoy washed up on a beach around Port Aransas, Texas. Turns out, this buoy was deployed in front of a hurricane to gather important data about the storm conditions. Watch this episode of Beachcombing with Jace Tunnell to learn more about these interesting buoys and what to do if you find one. Thanks to Sofar Ocean for letting us use some video of buoy deployment and mapping data. Find more at https://www.sofarocean.com/sofar-approach. </video> <video> Beachcombing - Black Mangrove Seeds Description: Lots of green seeds washing up on the beach the past few weeks! These are from a green shrub that lives in the bays called Black Mangrove. Watch this episode of Beachcombing with Jace Tunnell to learn more about what these are and where they come from. </video> <video> Alligator on Beach! Description: We've seen some crazy things wash up at the beach before in Texas, but this live alligator has got to be one of the coolest, and angriest, that we've seen. Luckily, the Amos Rehabilitation Keep was able to rescue and save this little guy so that he could be put back into a freshwater habitat. Watch this episode of Beachcombing with Jace Tunnell to get an up-close look at this amazing creature! </video> <video> Bringing Baffin Back: The R/V Scott Murray Description: The R/V Scott Murray, a 25-foot Haynie Magnum research vessel generously donated by CCA Texas to the Harte Research Institute, serves as a lasting tribute to Scott Murray’s passion for Baffin Bay. An avid angler, trained biologist, and lifelong CCA Texas member, Scott was dedicated to revitalizing the bay and restoring its natural health and balance. As a central part of the Bringing Baffin Back initiative, this vessel will play a vital role in advancing research and conservation efforts, helping to restore the bay and carry forward Scott’s vision of a vibrant, thriving Baffin Bay for generations to come. For more information about Bringing Baffin Back™ visit: https://www.harteresearch.org/bringingbaffinback </video> <video> The Gulf Stream Podcast S2 Ep.5: Cultivating the Coast: Texas Oyster Farming Description: Curious about oyster farming in Texas? In this episode of The Gulf Stream Podcast, host Ellis Chapman, Project Manager for the Oyster Resource and Recovery Center (ORRC) at HRI, dives into the world of sustainable seafood with A.J. Minns, founder of Blackjack Point Oyster Company, and Amy Belaire, owner of Big Tree Oyster Company. From the challenges and rewards of farming oysters in Texas waters to the impact on local ecosystems, they share the real story behind this growing industry. Tune in for an insightful, unfiltered look at life as an oyster farmer! For more information about the oyster farming industry visit: Oyster Restoration and Research Center (ORRC) website at: https://www.txoystertraining.org/en Learn more about the farms mentioned in this podcast: Big Tree Oyster Company https://www.bigtreeoysters.com/ Blackjack Point Oyster Company https://www.blackjackpointoysters.com/ This season of the Gulf Stream podcast is supported by the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi Harvey Weil Sportsman Conservationist Award. </video> <video> CREEPY Backpack Found Washed Up at Beach! Description: We find all kinds of interesting items washing up, but this particular item has got to take the cake! Watch this special Halloween episode of Beachcombing with Jace Tunnell to see what he finds in this washed up backpack. </video> <video> Beachcombing - Goose Barnacles Description: We've been finding goose barnacles washing up on beaches across the Gulf of Mexico covered on debris, including logs and manmade objects. Watch this episode of Beachcombing with Jace Tunnell to get a closeup look at these interesting creatures and hear some surprising facts about these crustaceans. </video> <video> Using a DRONE to Count Birds! Description: Today we are using a drone to monitor birds nesting on islands around the Coastal Bend of Texas. Watch this episode of Beachcombing with Jace Tunnell to learn more about how this tool is being used to help get accurate counts of eggs and birds so that protection measures can be put into place. To learn more about this work, visit: https://www.harteresearch.org/research/conservation-biodiversity </video> <video> STACKS of Gray Sea Stars! Description: Thousands of gray sea stars can be found during certain times of the year, especially in the winter after cold fronts push through and create extreme low tides. Watch this episode of Beachcombing with Jace Tunnell to learn about these interesting creatures, and to see a sea start that has eaten a sand dollar. </video> <video> Nurdle Patrol Training 101 Description: This short video will teach you what a nurdle is, how to conduct a 10 minute survey, where to put your date, and discuss how your data will be used to help change policy about how plastic pellets are being handled. Nurdle Patrol is a citizen science project to help gather data on concentrations of plastic pellets washing up on beaches. Nurdles are the pre-production plastic (raw material) before being made into a plastic product. They are released into the environment when there is a spill either at the manufacturing facility or at a product facility or during transport on ship, rail, or truck. They are hazardous to wildlife for a number of reasons and are known to absorb harmful chemicals which can be deadly to small birds and sea turtles. All data can be submitted through www.NurdlePatrol.org as well as maps of the data printed to show others about the nurdle problem. We are mapping high concentrations to share with government agencies, helping to remove plastic from the beaches, and creating an awareness about the nurdle problem. Come join the Nurdle Patrol Team by visiting www.NurdlePatrol.org. </video> <video> Beachcombing - Boca Chica Tidal Flats Description: Know what tidal flats are? You might think they are baron muddy stinky areas, but from a biological view, they are super important with lots of biodiversity. Watch this episode of Beachcombing with Jace Tunnell to learn more about tidal flats and what Dr. Jenni Pollack's team at HRI is doing to ensure these important habitats are around for the next generation. Want to learn more about the research in Pollack's Lab? Visit, https://www.harteresearch.org/research/coastal-conservation-restoration </video> <video> Save Our Gulf! Harte Research Institute's Day of Giving Description: Join us for a day dedicated to protecting and restoring the Gulf of Mexico! From vital oyster reef restoration to coral rescue and cleaner waterways, your support powers the groundbreaking research and solutions that sustain this vibrant ecosystem. Every dollar makes an impact—help us create a healthier Gulf for the wildlife and communities that depend on it. 💙 Donate today to make a difference! Click on the link below: https://tamu.cc/HRIGivingTuesday </video> <video> Beachcombing - Dolphin Skull Description: Dolphins are a common site around the Gulf of Mexico, and this week I found a skull from one of these beautiful creatures. Dolphin skulls are distinct with their elongated rostrum (snout) and numerous conical teeth, adapted for catching fish. This particular find likely belonged to a common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), a species often found in Gulf waters. Its presence on the shore could result from natural mortality or storm activity washing remains ashore. Watch this episode of Beachcombing with Jace Tunnell to learn more. Thanks to the Texas State Aquarium for letting us film dolphins on site. </video> <video> Old Cars and Beaches of Havana, CUBA Description: We recently went to Cuba for an Ocean Conference to talk about Harte Research efforts around the Gulf of Mexico, and you know we had to do a Beachcombing episode while in Havana. In this episode we'll talk about the Havana shoreline and look at some of the interesting items living along the old exposed coral reef. Jace Tunnell will also talk with a Cuban researcher about coral protection efforts in Cuba. Let us know what you think about the video and the work being done. </video> <video> BALES Washing Up on Texas Beaches! Description: Bales are washing up on Texas beaches, and there is some history about where these are coming from. These rubber bales are sheets of rubber from WWII, and thought to be from a German ship that was sunk by the U.S. in 1944 off the coast of Brazil. Watch this episode of Beachcombing with Jace Tunnell to learn more about why these bales are washing up on Texas beaches, what they are made out of, and what happens when you cut into them. </video>

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The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth-largest body of water in the world and a giant laboratory to explore the greatest questions facing our oceans today. The Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, founded in 2000, works across the Gulf—bringing together three countries and multiple disciplines to create science-based solutions that have a lasting impact. Because we believe what’s good for the entire Gulf is good for us all.

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