Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
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President John F. Kennedy and Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy on White House Balcony soon after Inauguration (photograph)
No full textPresident John F. Kennedy and Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy on White House Balcony soon after Inauguration
The creation and utility of a mobile application as a reporting tool in the charter for-hire fishery
No full textObjective: One of the most difficult aspects of recreational fisheries management is the ability to collect and have immediate access to
fisheries-dependent data. The advent of smart devices has created a novel way to collect self-reported data. Working with 16 for-hire vessel
captains from across the Gulf of Mexico, we developed an electronic logbook application, iSnapper, to test the quality and quantity of data
that an app could provide for researchers and fisheries managers.
Methods: Captains tested iSnapper by recording catch and effort data on a tablet or smartphone during the 2011 recreational Red Snapper
Lutjanus campechanus fishing season (June 1, 2011–July 18, 2011) and provided recreational anglers aboard those vessels with the oppor tunity to participate in a voluntary socioeconomic survey. Submitted trips were validated by comparing the app data to those collected at
dockside creels.
Results: During the 6-week trial, 17,926 fish were caught, from a total of 60 species, with Red Snapper comprising most of the catch (61%).
Red Snapper had a reported discard rate of 38%, with 86% of those reported to be released alive. Over 70% of trips with reported depths were
fishing between 30 and 59 m. Validation of harvest data showed no major differences between independent creel surveys and data reported
to the iSnapper program.
Conclusions: Overall, we demonstrated that an electronic reporting app such as iSnapper can produce high-quality and valid catch data
for use by fishery managers. These electronic reporting apps could also be used to help with data gaps in recreational fisheries where little
or no data are currently being collectedFunding for this study was provided by the National Marine
Fisheries Service Cooperative Research Program, Grant
#NA10NMF4540111
Co-developing Nature-based Solutions for Coastal Resilience: A Case Study from Refugio County, Texas
No full textRural coastal communities are increasingly vulnerable to climate-related hazards, but often face barriers to implementing resilience strategies due to limited capacity, fragmented governance, and a lack of tailored engagement approaches. This study presents a case from Refugio County, Texas, where a participatory action research (PAR) approach was used to co-develop Nature-based Solutions (NbS) with local stakeholders. Through transdisciplinary collaborations including community workshops, a bilingual public survey, and advisory group convenings, the project engaged residents, youth, local officials, and technical experts to identify key vulnerabilities, such as shoreline erosion, flooding, and degraded public outdoor spaces, and prioritized NbS projects that aligned with local values around safety, recreation, and habitat. The Black Point Living Shoreline emerged as the community’s top project, combining coastal protection with public access and ecological restoration. Barriers such as fragmented land ownership, short-term funding cycles, and limited rural staffing were addressed through enabling conditions like strong community leadership, supportive land context, and transdisciplinary collaboration. This paper documents key outcomes of the process, including enhanced community ownership, alignment with state planning frameworks, and strengthened local capacity for future implementation. Lessons from this case highlight the importance of long-term trust-building, tailored communication, and place-based strategies for co-producing actionable resilience solutions in low capacity, high-risk settings. This project offers a replicable process model for empowering rural communities to lead their NbS planning and climate adaptation efforts
A Synthesis of Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Growth and Calcification Responses Under Changing Environmental Conditions
No full textEastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) are foundational reef builders and ecosystem engineers that provide habitat complexity, enhance biodiversity, and influence biogeochemical cycles by shifting local carbonate chemistry in estuaries along the U.S. Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico. However, the environmental ranges governing oyster shell growth and calcification rates remain poorly constrained because available studies vary in the metrics quantified, experimental settings, and spatial coverage. We synthesized existing literature on C. virginica growth and calcification, assessing directional responses to changing environmental conditions. Variability in ecological, spatial, and temporal scales among studies and disparities between laboratory and field-based measurements complicate direct comparisons. Despite heterogeneity in the synthesized data, consistent patterns emerged; shell growth limitations were common at salinities below ~ 12 in U.S. Gulf of Mexico populations, and calcification declines were frequently observed under acidified conditions (pH < 7.7) in U.S. Atlantic populations. By summarizing patterns across life stages, regions, and study types, we highlight environmental stressors likely to impair oyster reef resilience and function. A more integrative research approach, incorporating both individual- and reef-scale processes across experimental and natural settings, is critical for refining predictions of oyster reef resilience. Standardized methodologies and interdisciplinary frameworks will enhance our ability to quantify the role of oyster reefs in carbon cycling and assess their response to future environmental stressors.Open access funding provided by Texas A&M University-
Corpus Christi. This research was supported by the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration Margaret A. Davidson Graduate
Fellowship under Award #NA24NOSX420C0017, the United States
Department of Agriculture under Award #NR217442XXXXC022, and
the Coastal Conservation Association
Evaluating the weathering and transport of plastic nurdles along the north- and southwestern Gulf of Mexico coasts
No full textPlastic nurdles, as small resin pellets, are a significant pollutant across the north- and southwestern Gulf of Mexico (America) coasts from Texas to the Yucatán Peninsula. This study identified the potential source of nurdle pollution using a combination of chemical analysis and numerical modeling. Chemical data of the nurdles collected from over 70 sites from Houston to the Yucatán Peninsula during 2021–2024 revealed distinct patterns in polymer type, color distribution, and weathering status, providing strong evidence for Texas as the primary source of these nurdles. Color distribution results showed that white nurdles, representative of fresher nurdles, dominated the Texas sites and more weathered, yellow nurdles, were found in Mexico regions. This color trend suggests an increased surface degradation as nurdles move southward. Analysis through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows polyethylene (PE) as the dominant polymer across all sampled sites, showcasing a linked homogeny through the regions, and the data were further used to build chemical weathering indices, which provided a way of quantifying the degree of oxidation nurdles have undergone. Results showed that the Mexico nurdles had higher indices than those in Texas, reinforcing the hypothesis that the Mexico nurdles have undergone longer environmental exposure. Physical oceanographic modeling, incorporating wave and current dynamics, confirmed that nurdles released from Texas can be transported to Mexican coastlines, while nurdles released from Mexico do not reach deep into the US. shorelines due to strong prevalent downcoast currents along the inner shelf. This movement pattern, together with chemical and weathering evidence, strongly supports Texas as the primary source of nurdle pollution along the gulf coast. Identification of the pollutant source will assist management practices and international cooperation to tackle nurdle pollution
To stay or go: movement behavior, and habitat use of shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the Gulf of Mexico
No full textShortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) are apex predators in marine ecosystems,
yet the North Atlantic stock has declined drastically. Despite their imperiled status,
limited research has focused on the movement and habitat use of mature
individuals in the Gulf of Mexico (also known as Gulf of America; hereafter Gulf),
a region hypothesized to serve as gestation and parturition grounds. From 2016 to
2021, 21 mako sharks (90% mature or nearing maturity) were satellite-tagged in the
northwestern Gulf to evaluate habitat suitability, move persistence, and the
environmental drivers influencing these patterns. This study revealed year-round
habitat use in the Gulf, particularly in the northwestern Gulf west of the central stem
of the Mississippi River delta (~89.1°W), identifying this area as a previously
unrecognized important habitat. Mako sharks exhibited resident behavior in
productive shelf and shelf-slope waters and at sea surface temperatures (SSTs)
between 19.6°C and 26°C, while transiting behavior was observed at SSTs >26°C
and in migration corridors, such as the Loop Current, during movements through
the Yucatá
n Channel or Straits of Florida. These findings highlight intra-population
variability in movement and emphasize the need to manage these highly migratory
species at the ocean-basin scale. Developing spatially explicit models that
incorporate regional connectivity and environmental drivers will be essential for
improving management strategies and rebuilding efforts for this vulnerable species
Enterprise risk management, financial reporting and firm operations
Full text linkWe examine financial reporting and firm operations, focusing specifically on the roles of ‘enterprise risk management’ (ERM), within which a holistic approach is taken to the conceptualization and management of all types of risk. We measure ERM implementation based on information obtained from 2004–2014 financial reports on 648 firms. We find that ERM implementation is associated with higher reporting quality and reduced volatility in future firm performance in terms of both operating cash flows and stock returns. Our difference-in-differences analyses indicate that these associations were strengthened by the introduction of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) final rule in 2010, requiring increased and improved disclosure related to risk oversight. Our findings, which we attribute to the incremental effects of ERM and enhanced risk disclosure over time, point to the substantial advantages of ERM and the importance of related disclosure, which should prove to be of interest to firms as well as policymakers
Impact of Perkinsus marinus on Oyster Health: Survey Findings After a Regional Data Gap
No full textOyster reefs worldwide are experiencing a concerning decline, driven not only by overharvesting but also by parasites and diseases that threaten oyster and estuarine health. Here, the effects of the protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus, which is known to cause dermo disease, were assessed after a 7-y gap in data gathering in a known infection center in the Gulf of Mexico: Galveston Bay (Texas). Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were collected from four sites across the bay from September to November of 2022 (a weak La Niña year) and 2023 (a strong El Niño year). Surveys revealed much higher infection levels (prevalence, infection intensity, and weighted prevalence) across almost all sites in 2023 compared with 2022. These high infection levels were likely driven by warm and saline conditions resulting from local droughts and potentially linked to large-scale climatic events. Parasite levels in 2023 resembled historical peaks reported in the late 1990s and early 2010s. High infections of P. marinus were also associated with poorest condition of the soft tissue and lower oyster quality, with temperature and oyster size as additional confounding factors. Given the potential for climate change to exacerbate conditions conducive to the reproduction of P. marinus, frequent monitoring is critical to understanding mortality trends associated with parasite outbreaks. This study provides information on recent parasite levels impacting oyster health and their links to local and large-scale climatic events to support scientists and resource managers in the restoration and conservation of estuarine ecosystems
Conference proceedings & award winners: 2025 Symposium for Student Innovation, Research, and Creative Activities
No full textDear Students, Colleagues, and Friends, Welcome to the 2025 Symposium for Student Innovation, Research, and Creative Activities! Today, we come together to celebrate curiosity, creativity, and the bold pursuit of new ideas. This symposium is more than just an event—it is a space for discovery, dialogue, and the exchange of knowledge that pushes boundaries and sparks innovation. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to the success of this symposium. Your support and dedication create opportunities for students to explore, challenge assumptions, and grow as scholars and creators. To all participants—this is your platform to share your insights, connect with peers, and gain fresh perspectives. Dive into discussions, embrace new challenges, and make the most of this opportunity. We hope this experience ignites your passion and fuels your journey toward future discoveries! Sincerely, Members of the SSIRCA Organizing CommitteeDivision of Research & Innovation, Global Institute for Hispanic Health, Texas State Aquarium Wildlife Rescue, Steel Dynamics, Art Museum of South Texas, Autonomy Research Institute, College of Business, College of Education and Human Development, College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Liberal Arts, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of Science, Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science, Harte Research Institute, and School of Arts, Media, and Communication
Using Corpus Linguistics to Investigate Approaches to Oyster Fishery Management Across Political Boundaries
No full textOysters are critical resources that filter water, generate habitat, and safeguard shorelines in coastal and marine ecosystems. Balancing conservation needs with sustainable oyster fisheries is essential for maintaining oyster health and stocks. In the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, oyster resources are managed by five states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida), each with unique approaches and priorities. This study analyzes the most current oyster management guidance document for each state using corpus linguistics techniques—including keyword and concordance analyses—to identify linguistic distinctions that reflect state-specific management priorities. Findings reveal that Florida’s document is the most distinctive, emphasizing oyster stressors and habitat. Louisiana’s document reflects its role as a major oyster producer. Mississippi’s document uniquely highlighted aquaculture as a strategy for recovering from environmental stressors. The theme of oyster restoration is robust in Alabama’s 2021 document but absent in Texas’s 1988 document, highlighting temporal differences in management priorities. In addition, common themes such as state-specific oyster stressors emerged among the distinctions. These results demonstrate how management priorities vary across political boundaries and provide insights for improving regional coordination. This approach offers a framework that can inform natural resource management strategies in other contexts and in other regions globally