April 2nd & 3rd, 2015
Galveston Island Convention Center
Hosted by
Texas A&M University Galveston Campus,
NASA Stennis Space Center, &
Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees
Early Registration & Abstract Submission Deadline: February 16th, 2015
*When registering, please include food allergy or preference information
Conference Focuses
NASA and Texas A&M University Galveston Campus will unveil the Sargassum Early
Advisory System Application (SEASA). This mobile application will assist coastal managers,
stakeholders, the scientific community, fisherpersons, and the general public in the planning of
their beach activities.
Subjects Include:
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Sargassum Ecosystem & Habitat
Detecting, Tracking, and Forecasting Sargassum
Clean-up and Beneficial Uses of Sargassum Wracks
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Who Should Attend?
All those interested in Sargassum research
Stakeholders, such as City and County Officials, charged with the management of Sargassum
Public interested in the long-term health of Texas coastal beaches
Site Information
The conference is being held at the Galveston Island Convention Center
For more information, see www.seas-forecast.com
Conference Objectives
To bring together everyone involved and those concerned with the effects of Sargassum
on the Gulf Coast. The conference will address current research being conducted as well as
future directions. Our goals are to gain a better understanding of the current knowledge of
Sargassum and to address how current developments can affect future financial and
environmental impacts to the Gulf Coast area. By attending you will gain a better understanding
of the current Sargassum situation and become a part of the future direction of coastal
management.
2015 Gulf Coast Sargassum Symposium
April 2-3, 2015
Thursday, April 2nd
Opening
7:30-8:10
Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:10-8:20
Greeting, Duane Armstrong, Chief, Applied Science & Technology Projects, NASA
8:20-8:30
Welcome, Tom Linton, Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG)
8:30-9:00
Keynote Speaker, Honorable James D. Yarbrough, Mayor of the City of Galveston
9:00-9:10
Break
9:10-9:20
Robert Webster, TAMUG, “Introduction to Sargassum”
Session 1
Impact of Sargassum on Tourist Industry
9:20-9:30
Reuben Trevino, Coastal Resource Manager, South Padre Island
9:30-9:40
Claire Reiswerg, Sand ‘n Sea Properties
9:40-9:50
Mario Rabago, Deputy Director, Galveston Park Board of Trustees
9:50-10:00
Clyde Steddum, Galveston Park Board of Trustees
10:00-10:30
Panel Discussion
Session 2
Challenges of Moving Sargassum
10:30-10:40
Lee Crowder, Galveston County Road and Bridge
10:40-10:50
Jesse Ojeda, Beach Cleaning Operations Manager
10:50:11:00
Hernan Botero, Private Beach Cleaning Contractor
11:00-11:10
Christopher Kelly, Beach Cleaning Equipment Supplier
11:10-11:40
Panel Discussions
11:45-1:00
Lunch
Thursday P. M.
1:00-1:20
Senator A.R. “Babe” Schwartz, “History of Texas Beaches”
1:20-1:40
Kelly de Schaun, Executive Director of the Galveston Island Park Board of
Trustees, “Present Day Texas Beaches”
Session 3
Sargassum Early Advisory System (SEAS) Web App
1:40-2:00
Sean McCarthy, NRL, “Detecting Sargassum with Satellites”
2:00-2:20
Robert Webster, “Forecasting the Movements of Sargassum”
2:20-2:40
Gene Jones, NASA, “Sargassum Early Advisory System (SEAS) Web Application”
Session 4
Biological Impact of Sargassum
2:40-2:50
Dr. David Wells, Marine Biology Assistant Professor, TAMUG
2:50-3:00
Jim Stevenson, The Galveston Ornithological Society
3:00-3:10
Joanie Steinhaus, Sea Turtle Restoration Project
3:10-3:20
Nate Johnson, Artist Boat Habitat
3:20-3:50
Panel Discussions
3:50-4:00
Break
Session 5
Sargassum Studies in the Gulf of Mexico
4:00-4:10
Brandon Hill, Marine Science Graduate Studies, TAMUG
4:10-4:20
Morgan Beaver, Marine Science Undergraduate Studies, TAMUG
4:20-4:40
Greg Whittaker, Moody Gardens Animal Husbandry Manager
4:40-4:50
Michael Rittenhouse, MS Student, TAMU CC
4:50-5:00
Jake Sigren, Marine Biology PhD Candidate, TAMUG
5:00-5:30
Panel Discussion
Friday, April 3rd
8:00-8:30
Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30-8:45
Greeting, Robert Webster, TAMUG
Session 6
SEAS Side Effects
8:45-9:10
Keynote Speaker, Jason Pinchback
Manager, Beach Access & Dune Protection Program Texas Galveston Land Office
(TGLO), “The SEAS Project Being Used for Other Studies”
9:10-9:30
Dr. Thomas Linton, Professor, TAMUG, “Building a Viable Research Project Using
Basic Scientific Principles”
9:30-9:50
Robert Webster, TAMUG, “Future Sargassum Projects”
Closing Session
9:50-11:30
Student Posters & Presentation Awards
11:30-12:00
Closing Remarks, Duane Armstrong John C. Stennis Space Center
12:00-2:30
Optional Tour of Galveston Island Brewing Co. with Sargassum Beer
Reservation Link for Holiday Inn Resorts in Galveston
In order to request rooms for the Symposium click the link below and it will direct
you to the Holiday Inns booking page. On the left-hand side there will be a place to
register for a room and a group code indicating that you are requesting a room for
the Symposium will appear. If you have any issues please feel free to contact
Whitlee Baimbridge at the email or phone number listed above.
Hotel Reservations
Currently accepting posters and/or presentation applications
Please submit all abstracts to
Robert Webster - Email: [email protected]
Ted Mason - Email: [email protected]
To register for the Symposium or if you have questions please contact either:
Whitlee Baimbridge
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (832) 746-0206
Morgan Beaver
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (847) 220-3598