TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CONTINUING A LEGACY
SINK YOUR SHUCKS OFFERS TANGIBLE RESULTS
GULF OF MEXICO LAW IN PERSPECTIVE
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE GULF
A TEXAS TREASURE
FISHING AND FAMILY
OUR FLOWING FUTURES
INNOVATING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TEXAS COAST
BUILDING RESILIENCE
LEADING THE CHARGE FOR CORAL HEALTH
TEN YEARS OF CUTTING EDGE FISHERIES SCIENCE
SUPPORTING SCIENCE THAT KEEPS YOU HOOKED
COLONY ISLAND NETWORK DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION (CINDI)
BEACHCOMBING THE GULF COAST
THE CURRENTS CARRY CONNECTION
THREE COUNTRIES, ONE GULF
THE NEXT GENERATION OF GULF LEADERS
EMPOWERING COASTAL CONSERVATION
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS
TRIBUTE GIFTS
SPONSORED RESEARCH
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
ENDOWED FUNDS
LEADERSHIP
FINANCIALS AT A GLANCE
SYMBIOSIS
interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.
Wadefishing in Rockport, Texas
MESSAGE FROM THE
SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As I read through the list of organizations and individuals who supported our work in fiscal year 2024, I recalled Ed Harte’s vision nearly a quarter century ago to make a difference for the Gulf of Mexico.
While a quarter century may seem like a long time, the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi is young compared to our peer research institutes. Over the last 24 years we have expanded on Ed’s vision with the help of so many. In this fiscal year, ending in August of 2024, we benefited from the symbiotic relationship between our partners, our sponsored research funders, and our donors.
Symbiosis between HRI and our supporters is the consistent desire to conserve the Gulf and its resources. Individually, we can achieve limited goals, but together, we can make a lasting impact on the Gulf of Mexico, today and for future generations.
It was through generous donations that we were honored to establish a new endowed chair in Coastal Conservation and Restoration, named after former Senior Executive Director Dr. Larry McKinney, held by Dr. Jennifer Pollack, who is a strong leader in coastal restoration. We are also thrilled to welcome Dr. Keisha Bahr as chair of the newly established Coral Reef and Ocean Health program. Dr. Bahr’s research
focuses on imperiled coral habitats, further expanding the institute’s work on these critical ecosystems.
Supporting the next generation of scientists through scholarships, fellowships, and hands-on training programs remains one of the institute’s top priorities. Gifts for student support allow us to equip emerging researchers and ensure our legacy of environmental stewardship will continue.
These highlights and other accomplishments showcased in this annual report would not be possible without you, our incredible supporters. Your generosity, whether through donations, volunteerism, or partnerships, fuels our mission and empowers us to make real change. Thank you for your investment in this vision and the worthwhile work it takes to fulfill it.
I invite you to enjoy the following pages focused on our research and community engagement. Your continued contributions support a world-class team of scientists ready to continue to make a difference for the Gulf of Mexico, for which we are truly grateful.
Greg Stunz, Ph.D.
CONTINUING A LEGACY
The Harte family’s legacy is well established, and along with the Harte Charitable Foundation, continues to find ways to extend that legacy well into the future.
In 2023, the Will and Pam Harte family and the Harte Charitable Foundation funded a new endowment honoring Dr. Larry McKinney, HRI’s former Senior Executive Director. The $1.5 million endowment, named the Larry D. McKinney Endowed Chair for Coastal Conservation and Restoration, commemorates McKinney’s 15 years of leadership at HRI.
“We are delighted to contribute to this endowment to commemorate Dr. McKinney’s legacy and deepen HRI’s leadership capacity,” said Julia Harte Widdowson, Chair of the Harte Charitable Foundation. “We look forward to seeing HRI expand its conservation and restoration impact along the Texas Coast and around the Gulf of Mexico.”
The endowment supports the activities of Dr. Jennifer Pollack, a distinguished scholar and Chair who leads the Coastal Conservation and Restoration program.
The program focuses on understanding, protecting, and restoring coastal marine ecosystems, while working on
a variety of projects and research areas aimed at preserving the health and sustainability of coastal environments.
Among those projects is the pioneering Sink Your Shucks™ oyster shell recycling program, which has helped to restore more than 45 acres of oyster reef along the Texas coast and recycled more than three million pounds of oyster shell.
Pollack’s group examines how estuarine habitats, such as oyster reefs, are affected by changing conditions, along with how to efficiently restore habitats to replace lost ecological functions such as water filtration, nursery habitats, shoreline stabilization, and biodiversity enhancement.
The program’s researchers are currently working on measurements of oyster reef carbon sequestration, which will help inform future conservation, restoration, and management decisions seeking to maximize carbon storage by reefs.
From left: Dr. Greg Stunz, Chris Harte, Dr. Jennifer Pollack, Dr. Larry McKinney, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. Kelly M. Miller, Pam Harte, Will Harte
YOUR SHUCKS
Brad Lomax sees the pioneering Sink Your Shucks™ program as something tangible showing how cooperation between business and science can produce results for the environment.
Sink Your Shucks™ recycles used oyster shells to restore oyster reefs and has been in place since 2009. Through the program, more than three million pounds of oyster shell has been recycled while building more than 45 acres of reefs along the middle Texas coast in the Gulf of Mexico.
Beyond those numbers, for a restaurateur such as Lomax, participation in Sink Your Shucks™ is a connection to HRI that not only makes good business sense, but also supports Lomax’s passion for conservation and the sustainability of the community he lives and works in.
“For me it’s tangible,” said Lomax, who founded popular restaurants in downtown Corpus Christi such as Water Street Oyster Bar and Executive Surf Club. “This is the real deal. You can go out there and walk on the reefs that have been restored through our efforts and efforts of other restaurants. I remember Mr. (Ed) Harte talking about bridging the gap between business, real world, and academia and I think this program does that beautifully.”
Lomax’s handful of restaurants are a portion of the eateries in the Coastal Bend and beyond that have Sink Your Shucks™ gather their spent oyster shells which are eventually used to build reefs.
From a scientific point of view, the reconstruction of oyster reefs is key for Texas’ bays and estuaries because oysters are essential for habitat creation, water filtration, shoreline protection, and nutrient cycling.
Meanwhile, a healthy oyster population supports commercial and recreational fishing industries that contribute to the local economy.
“It’s been good for business for us to be able to wrap ourselves in the Sink Your Shucks™ program,” Lomax said. “More and more these days when conventions and groups are booking in a community, they want to know what’s going on in that community that’s beneficial to the world.”
info on Sink Your Shucks ,
Brad Lomax at Sink Your Shucks™ collection site
GULF OF MEXICO
LAW
IN PERSPECTIVE
“Third Coast Lines” has become a key vehicle for information on how laws and regulations affect multiple facets of the Gulf of Mexico, including its resources and sustainability. The digital periodical produced by HRI’s Marine Policy and Law program, led by Endowed Chair Kristina Alexander, helps to break through the “legal-ese” and offer everyone from policymakers to outdoor enthusiasts information on how the resources of the Gulf of Mexico are managed. Lawyers and non-lawyers receive practical information on how to navigate laws, policies, and regulations on topics such as reducing marine pollution, shrimp production, sea turtle protection, and promoting healthy fisheries.
The publication is part of the group’s larger mission to look at how laws and regulations can influence policy decisions affecting the environment with an emphasis on the coastal and marine systems of the Gulf of Mexico. It also brings attention to HRI’s unique interdisciplinary method.
In addition to publishing the well-respected “Third Coast Lines,” the Marine Policy and Law program also focuses its research on how laws impact human interactions with nature, such as planning resilient coastal communities, improving recreational access to natural resources, and managing offshore energy resources. Alexander’s appointment to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee also enables HRI’s research expertise to extend beyond the Gulf of Mexico.
HRI’s legal research is provided to key stakeholders in the Gulf of Mexico region to improve the application of policy to science and enhance sustainable management of these resources for future generations.
Critically endangered Rice's Whale
OCEAN
ACIDIFICATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE GULF
Acidification is a continuing challenge for the ocean, coastal estuaries, as well as organisms dwelling there. For more than a decade, HRI’s Ecosystem Science and Modeling Program has been committed to providing science-based data to key stakeholders and researchers.
The program continues its work in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to monitor seawater for acidification around its coral reefs, located approximately 100 miles off Galveston, Texas.
Ocean acidification is the reduction of pH of the ocean over an extended period and is caused primarily by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The studies are continuing to provide key data on how seawater chemistry is changing over time and this information is used by stakeholders and resource managers to adapt and mitigate impacts. These changes have been monitored since at least 2007 as the sanctuary protects portions of 17 separate reefs and banks, which are a combination of small underwater mountains, ridges, troughs, and hard bottom patches along the continental shelf, created by underlying salt domes.
Oceanography Program on freshwater inflow into shallow estuaries. They are studying how much alkalinity, or acid-neutralizing capacity, sediments generate or take away in these shallow water environments.
The project will examine three estuaries along the northwestern Gulf of Mexico with different amounts of freshwater inputs and will help provide information on how coastal environments turn carbon from the atmosphere to the dissolved form and keep it in the ocean for many years.
This information can be key in helping provide valuable information for ecosystem protection and restoration that can affect aquaculture practices and recreation activities.
TREASURE A TEXAS
The innovative Bringing Baffin Back™: Restoring and Protecting a Texas Treasure initiative, led by Dr. Michael Wetz, Chair for Coastal Ecosystem Processes, set a standard for its leadership and science in helping to restore one of Texas’ unique coastal areas.
It’s one of three key initiatives the team has been leading that are vital to the sustainability of the Texas coast, centered around Baffin Bay, coastal ecosystem health, and harmful algal blooms.
Bringing Baffin Back™, which is done in partnership with the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, brings together research and monitoring by a dedicated group of scientists and community volunteers to address sources of pollution, restore the watershed and bay habitat, and improve the health of the surrounding economy. Along with on-the-ground conservation efforts are community outreach initiatives that include the first “Exploring Baffin Bay” day camp in partnership with Texas Brigades which fosters stewardship among the next generation of coastal residents for children ages 9-17.
The Texas Coast Ecosystem Health Report Card is a data and stakeholder-informed effort to assess the health of the Texas Coast and its bays in support of local and regional management and conservation efforts. The team identified important vulnerabilities and data gaps for various indicators of ecosystem health such as water quality and quantity, habitat, fish, and birds and provided an opportunity for stakeholders to address those challenges in various ways.
Harmful algal blooms pose significant threats to ecosystems, human health, and the economy of Texas’ coastal communities. To safeguard beachgoers, anglers, and all who enjoy coastal waters, the team is in collaboration with stakeholders to create a comprehensive monitoring plan for harmful algal blooms, also known as “red tide” and “brown tide.” They are beginning to deploy real-time detection sensors at key locations along the Texas coast. These proactive efforts will help the state and its communities respond to algal blooms more effectively and proactively, minimizing potential negative impacts.
FISHING & FAMILY
The memories are what Kirk Murray cherishes the most about Baffin Bay. The memories of fishing trips and other excursions with his late father, Scott, are part of a deep affection for this unique body of water along the Gulf Coast of Texas.
Scott Murray also wanted to protect Baffin Bay as he saw its health decline over time. Baffin Bay is one of the few hypersaline bays in the world and is a key economic and natural resource for South Texas. That affection was a key reason he helped create the Baffin Bay Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Group where a dedicated group of citizen scientists help gather extensive water quality data that is invaluable for the Bringing Baffin Back™ initiative.
In 2024, the establishment of The Louis “Scott” Murray Endowed Fund for the Conservation of Baffin Bay helps to keep that deep connection and Scott’s legacy secured well into the future. It also helps scientists and researchers at HRI continue the work to sustain Baffin Bay, what many consider a “Texas Treasure.”
“Dad’s love of Baffin Bay has been passed on to me, his grandchildren, and hopefully their grandchildren,” Kirk said. “We want to make sure future generations will enjoy the same beautiful green water and remote shorelines that we have enjoyed for many decades. I hope that scientists at HRI will be able to grow their knowledge about the Gulf of Mexico and Baffin Bay so that marine life can continue to thrive. Scientific research is at the base of sustainability.”
My dad was an avid fisherman and loved nothing more than catching big trout in Ba n Bay. “ ” -Kirk Murray
Scott
OUR
Freshwater inflows into bays and estuaries are crucial for maintaining ecological balance along the Texas Gulf Coast while also helping to mitigate pollution and support recreational and commercial activities.
Dr. Paul Montagna, HRI’s Chair for HydroEcology, and his team work to provide information and recommendations on how to effectively manage those inflows to ensure freshwater into bays and estuaries are sufficient to maintain a healthy ecological environment that will persist into the future.
Estuaries are the link between streams and rivers to the ocean, and the inflows provide nutrients, sediments, and regulate salinity levels. If the flows are off-balance or not functioning properly, it could have grave ecological impacts.
In multiple bays along the Texas coast, including Lavaca Bay, Matagorda Bay, and San Antonio Bay, HRI researchers and scientists are working to measure non-point source pollution from watersheds. Non-point
source pollution is where a sizable portion of pollution in Texas’ bays and estuaries comes from.
Their research is important to help understand and separate any benefits due to freshwater inflow from degradation due to pollution in bays and estuaries. This distinction can assist key stakeholders in making informed decisions on environmental flow standards, ensuring the protection and sustainability of these vital ecosystems.
HRI’s research considers multiple factors including climatic and seasonal differences, along with how bays and estuaries along the Texas coast are different as they work to identify which specific pollutants might be responsible for degradation.
Taking in those factors is important to help maintain bay productivity, health, and balance, and they also help with recommendations on environment flow standards that are important for key stakeholders and policymakers as they make decisions that can affect the future of Texas’ Gulf Coast.
Saltmarsh sunset at low tide
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TEXAS COAST
There are uncertainties in predicting sea level rise, but the past can provide a critical foundation for understanding and projecting future changes.
HRI’s Coastal and Marine Geospatial Sciences program led by Chair Dr. James Gibeaut, takes information from the past to help put into perspective what is currently happening on the coast regarding sea level rise, which can provide a look into the future.
The program works with multiple organizations in Texas as part of the Texas General Land Office’s Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan (TCRMP), and through its pioneering modeling, researchers consider issues along the coast such as erosion, flooding, loss of habitat, alteration or degradation of water quality, and the impact of climate change.
The group gathers information to put the current state of the Texas coast in context, while also modeling how sea level rise could affect the coast in the future. As part of the TCRMP, HRI researchers conducted sea level rise and storm surge modeling
to provide information about potential environmental impacts.
A key part of the data collection and review in this process is GRIIDC, the Gulf science data repository. GRIIDC allows users to search a large catalog of information produced by thousands of scientific studies, primarily focused on the Gulf of Mexico.
The information is important in calling attention to how the coast is changing and how it will impact natural and economic environments, along with socio-economic conditions. Additionally, the program provides stakeholders such as local governments, industry and businesses, and federal agencies with the knowledge to make sound decisions on the future of the Texas coast to lessen the impact in the future.
Beach along Mustang Island, Texas
Resilience is the ability to “bounce-forward” from a shock or stressor, meaning communities and environments come back from a disaster, shock, or disturbance stronger and better positioned for the future.
The Community Resilience Group at HRI is primarily focused on informing on-the-ground conservation, restoration, and planning efforts, as well as management and policy interventions that will benefit people and nature. The group’s work bridges the gap between understanding environmental change and informing
decisions that affect us all. They do so in partnership with a diverse network of people and organizations that are committed to co-produced solutions. Efforts such as the Regional Resilience Partnership, GeoRED data mapping tool, and BlueValue ecosystem services valuation tool are some of its flagship initiatives. They collaborate with many other programs within HRI, other organizations around the Gulf, and entities such as the Coastal Bend Council of Governments, Gulf of Mexico Alliance, and many more, to help create science-based information. That information can be used by stakeholders to conserve, protect, restore, and become resilient, while also understanding the intersection between people and the environment.
Dr. Keisha Bahr was appointed as the Chair for Coral Reef and Ocean Health at HRI in June 2024. The position will help advance Bahr’s current research on understanding and mitigating the effects of environmental change on corals and coral reefs. The creation of the new chair also shows a continuing promise by HRI leadership to carry on its mission of bringing key experts on the Gulf of Mexico to HRI.
Studying coral reefs is essential as they are vibrant marine communities that are in danger in many parts of the ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico. Coral reefs offer food and shelter for marine life, act as rainforests of the sea as they are vital to maintaining balance and health of the planet’s biodiversity, provide natural coastal protection for our shorelines, and hold value for multiple cultures.
Bahr, who is an Assistant Professor of Marine Biology at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, will continue to work with the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, a unique coral ecosystem approximately 100 miles off the coast of Galveston that is among the healthiest coral reefs in the greater Caribbean and Gulf region. She will also work with HRI’s international chairs in Mexico and Cuba exploring coral reefs throughout the Caribbean and Yucatan Peninsula. A key focus is to develop tools and solutions to preserve and sustain coral ecosystems facing challenges.
Bahr’s new laboratory facilities at HRI will also house coral specimens from the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and other parts of the world.
Dr. Keisha Bahr monitors coral fragments housed at the Texas State Aquarium
TENYEARS OF CUTTING EDGE FISHERIES SCIENCE
The Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation at HRI was founded more than a decade ago with a simple philosophy of working to provide data-supported science-based information about the Gulf of Mexico’s multi-billion-dollar recreational fishing industry.
But it’s grown into more than just a hub of innovation and science within HRI — it’s become a cornerstone of the fishing community, a reliable partner for anglers and a beacon for sustainable fishing practices. It is also the first research center in the western Gulf of Mexico dedicated to providing key scientific information.
The Sportfish Center has built a significant level of confidence with Gulf stakeholders, natural resource managers, and the broader public. Through collaborative research and public engagement, the Sportfish Center is a trusted leader in the effort to protect and sustain the Gulf’s vibrant fisheries.
Projects such as the Great Red Snapper Count and research on the value of Rigs to Reefs as fisheries habitat have provided critical information for managers of the Gulf reef fish. Sportfish Center scientists have appeared on Discovery’s yearly Shark Week series, and through its work with citizen scientists, have tagged more than 13,000 sharks. Shark tagging can provide researchers with life histories, population sizes, movement, and migratory patterns.
The Sportfish Center’s angler engagement program, Science That Keeps You Hooked, and initiatives such as ReleaSense, have provided anglers with best catch and release practices to improve post-release survival and increase their role as leaders in fisheries conservation.
The key tenets that have defined the Sportfish Center through its first decade will again be part of its future, while also addressing emerging issues and new avenues of research to keep the next generation fishing.
Red Snapper caught o of Port Aransas, Texas
SUPPORTING SCIENCE THAT KEEPS YOU HOOKED
The Frazier Family Foundation, Inc. support of the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation at HRI is fueled by a fascination with the unknown and a commitment to finding solutions to pressing questions.
The pursuit of answers — whether to known challenges or unexplored mysteries — drives the researchers at the Sportfish Center, and the support of the Frazier Family Foundation.
The Sportfish Center continues working to identify ways to increase the involvement of anglers in the conservation and management of fisheries, which includes the family’s support of the “Science That Keeps You Hooked” initiative.
The Sportfish Center has also spearheaded research into migration patterns of marine life, the role of estuaries in sustaining marine fisheries, and much more to help natural resource managers make highly informed, science-based decisions for our fisheries.
It’s finding those answers that drives the Frazier’s involvement, along with a love of the body of water that is a part of the Frazier family’s legacy.
It offers an opportunity for the next generation to study, preserve, and protect natural resources in the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.
“We believe that providing onramps to introduce and participate in the preservation and protection of the Gulf of Mexico and the waters beyond is the key to unlock the imagination and essential to bring awareness to the next generation,” said Garrett Frazier, vice president of the The Frazier Family Foundation “There has never been a more critical time than now. The next generation has such a powerful opportunity to make a choice to ignore the distractions of devices, step out of the confines of an office, and take a step towards actively participating in the legacy and exploration of natural resource advocacy.”
Waterbird colony on rookery island near Corpus Christi, Texas
NETWORK DESIGN
CINDI AND
The Knobloch Family Foundation’s philanthropic support of the Colony Island Network Design and Implementation (CINDI) project enabled the launch of a pilot program to give researchers a tool for guiding the restoration and management of waterbird colony island habitats in the Upper Laguna Madre.
One of the key tenets of the Knobloch Family Foundation is investing in places that identify and protect wildlife through science-based conservation. Their investment in the CINDI project was critical in establishing the groundwork for a comprehensive network designed to support research and conservation efforts of habitat for Texas’ water birds. The pilot project provided new data for stakeholders and helped create a preliminary list of some of the islands that will provide the most benefits to birds if restored.
HRI's Coastal and Biodiversity lab led by Chair Dr. Dale Gawlik, the Cesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, and the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, are beginning to expand the project beyond the Upper Laguna Madre to other parts of the Texas coast. The initial foundational support enabled deployment of cutting-edge technology, including using drones to survey waterbirds and their nesting habitats. Plus, the funding established a robust network that can be expanded and refined to support ongoing research and conservation efforts.
Learn more at BirdIslands.org
CURRENTS CARRY CONNECTION THE
In April 2020, an 11-year-old girl from France threw a bottle with a message into the ocean off the coast of Brazil as the family made their way back home after sailing around the world.
Nearly 18 months later, Jace Tunnell found the bottle on a beach near Port Aransas, Texas. The bottle traveled nearly 10,000 miles through the South Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico before ending up on the Texas beach.
The bottle Tunnell found contained two letters taped together, one written in French and another with a drawing of a map of their journey. Once the letter was translated into English, Tunnell learned that the girl’s name who put the messages in the bottle was Elora who lived in France.
In 2022, Tunnell wrote a letter to Elora, letting her know he had found the bottle, and about a month later Tunnell received a letter back from her. The two continued corresponding and sharing pictures of their families.
Almost two years later, a scientist named Ombretta approached Tunnell at a conference in Florida and introduced herself. Ombretta said she knew the family who threw the bottle into the ocean and that she had grown up with Elora’s mother in France. She later confirmed it was the same Elora that threw the bottle into the ocean, connecting one more family to the bottle. Jace and his family later made plans to visit Elora in France.
The well-traveled bottle made it to the Texas coast, appeared in two videos, established new friendships for three families, and connected scientists while showing how ocean currents connect our world.
Jace Tunnell and various beach finds
THREE COUNTRIES ONE
The Gulf of Mexico’s shorelines touch three different nations — the United States, Mexico, and Cuba — and HRI continues to foster sustainable management of the Gulf’s resources through a trinational initiative.
Through scientific research, education, public outreach, and a focus on cross-border collaboration, HRI’s international collaborations continue to build on regional planning that is designed to preserve and protect shared waters and marine habitats. The cooperation is important because the Gulf of Mexico’s ecosystems are not hindered by international boundaries, and actions taken by one country can have profound effects on the entire region.
Dr. Silvia Patricia González Díaz, the Furgason Fellowship International Chair for Coastal and Marine Studies in Cuba; Dr. Mark Besonen, HRI Director of International Programs and Associate Research Scientist; and Dr. Fernando Nuno Dias Marques (Nuno) Simões, the Furgason Fellowship International Chair for Coastal and Marine Studies in Mexico; are HRI’s leading experts fostering international collaboration in coastal and marine research across the Gulf of Mexico region.
From work on Mexico’s unique cenotes ecosystems, to participation in the MarCuba scientific meetings in Cuba, to the popular Student Workshop on International Coastal and Marine Management (SWIMM) program, international cooperation has been important to help grow awareness across the region.
As part of the SWIMM program, which fosters cross-cultural understanding and promotes development of future leaders, students in 2023 developed surveys to study the economic value of recreational fisheries across the Gulf of Mexico. The unique study surveyed recreational anglers and service providers alike on topics such as spending habits, preferences, and services.
The study will help provide valuable data on the impact of the industry on a Gulf-wide scale and provides insights into how recreational fishing contributes to the conservation and economic vitality of coastal communities, supports livelihoods, and influences local and regional economies.
Findings from the survey continue HRI’s commitment to international cooperation and are instrumental in shaping future conservation efforts and sustainable economic practices across the Gulf of Mexico.
Cenotes, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
THE GULF LEADERS GENERATION OF
By fostering collaboration among scientists, policymakers, students, and local communities, HRI plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable practices and informing conservation efforts that benefit the environment and the people who rely on it.
WE ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE OUR 2023-2024 GRADUATES
Students at HRI gain access to unique education opportunities through hands-on research experience, interdisciplinary learning, and collaboration with leading experts in marine and coastal issues. This work helps prepare students to fulfill their goals of a career in marine biology, environmental science, or other related fields.
Anthony Lima, Ph.D.
Coastal and Marine System Science
Committee Chair: Dr. Jennifer Pollack
Coastal Conservation & Restoration Lab
Samantha Schiereck, M.S.
Marine Biology
Committee Chair: Dr. Paul Montagna HydroEcology Lab
Linnea Balderson
B.B.A. Accounting Business Team
Lily Tubbs
B.S. Environmental Science Coastal Conservation & Restoration Lab
Alex Sharp, Ph.D.
Coastal and Marine System Science
Committee Chair: Dr. Dale Gawlik Conservation & Biodiversity Lab
Isabelle Cummings, M.S.
Coastal and Marine System Science
Committee Chair: Dr. Greg Stunz Center for Sportfish Science & Conservation
Rob McMillan, M.S.
Marine Biology
Committee Chair: Dr. Greg Stunz Center for Sportfish Science & Conservation
Alyssa Outhwaite, Ph.D.
Marine Biology
Committee Chair: Dr. Jennifer Pollack
Coastal Conservation & Restoration Lab
Neina Chapa, M.S.
Coastal and Marine System Science
Committee Chair: Dr. Jennifer Pollack
Coastal Conservation & Restoration Lab
Kalie Tovar
B.S. Environmental Science
Coastal Conservation & Restoration Lab
Wumi Andrew, M.S.
Environmental Science
Committee Chair: Dr. Xinping Hu Ecosystem Science & Modeling
Christian Amos, M.S. Chemistry
Committee Chair: Dr. Xinping Hu Ecosystem Science & Modeling Lab
Molly Davis
B.B.A. Marketing Community Resilience Program
Doctoral student Alex Sharp and Research Scientist Liam Wolff identify nesting colonial waterbirds in the Laguna Madre as part of Sharp's dissertation work
CONSERVATION EMPOWERING COASTAL
When the Kern Family created the Diana and Eric Kern with Susan Kern
Preservation Endowment at the Harte Research Institute as a planned gift from their estate, it was a way for them to help their beloved Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico.
A legacy of giving can leave a profound and lasting impact on the donor and the beneficiaries, while it embodies the values and passions of the donor, creating a meaningful way to be remembered and to continue making a difference long after they are gone.
The Laguna Madre, which runs from the southern Texas coast into Mexico, is one of the few hypersaline coastal lagoons in the world and is an important habitat for a variety of wildlife and contains vast seagrass beds. However, it is also facing threats from pollution, habitat loss, and impacts from climate change.
The Kern family’s planned gift is a way to leave a lasting impact and support their beloved Laguna Madre, while also benefiting HRI and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
"Diana, Susan, and I are connected with a shared love for the Laguna Madre and our concerns for the changes we have witnessed in water quality and seagrass health," Eric Kern said. "We want to be a part of the solution and feel that supporting the work the Harte Research Institute is undertaking is the best way we can help preserve this wonderful and unique ecosystem.
“We are especially impressed the scientists and resource managers at HRI are not only providing the data necessary to define the issues but are actively engaged in creating and implementing plans which will hopefully change the issues they have identified. Our hope for the future is that their efforts will return the ‘Mother Lagoon’ to her pristine status and that future generations will be able to love, respect and enjoy it as much as we have.”
The endowment will be used to support and enhance student scholarship, teaching, and research in areas of study related to wildlife and fisheries conservation, preservation, and remediation in defined coastal environments, estuaries, bays and lagunas, particularly those in and around the Laguna Madre and Texas Gulf Coast.
TAMU-CC Laguna Madre Field Station at dusk
Diana Kern
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS
Dr. George Alsop and Connie Alsop
Cecilia
Koen
Carolyn
Linda
Ellen
Clint
Jan
Tara
Irene
Janice
Dr.
Cathy and Bill Colglazier
Marilyn Cook and Benjamin Brundrett
Cookie Cooper
Saundra and Jim Copeland
Bruce
Danya
Rosario
Donna
Bill
Chris
The
Susan and
Dr. Xinping Hu
Houston
Dollie and Tom Hunt
Michael Hurd
Jaime and Warren Janert
Tammy and James King
Olive and Richard Kleberg
Jennifer Klidies
Dr.
Dr.
Gretchen and Jay Watkins
Dr. Robert Webster and Allison Webster
Chuck Weil
Dr. Gordon Welch and Debi Welch
Dr. Gary Wesson
Dr. Mike Wetz
Alice and William Wiley
George and Ellen Wilkinson
Philip and Vivian Woods
Charlene York
Charles and Linda Zahn
Darryl Zercher
Businesses and Organizations
American Fishing Tackle Company
American Outdoor Brands
Artifishal Angler, LLC
Black Diamond Oyster Bar
Bluewater Thermal Solutions
Building Conservation Trust
Capital Counsel, LLC
CCA Brush Country Chapter
Coastal Conservation Association
Coastal Conservation Association Texas
Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation
Doc's Seafood & Steak Restaurant
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Fifth Generation, Inc.
Gulf Coast Growth Ventures
H-E-B
Harvey Weil Sportsman Conservationist
Koch Industries
La Pesca Lodge
Port Aransas Billfish Pachanga LLC
Port of Corpus Christi
REEL Sportswear LLC
Rotary Club of Corpus Christi
Saltwater Fisheries Enhancement Association
SeaWorld
The Nature Conservancy
The Reel Baffin Bay Country Store
Virginia's on the Bay Water Street Inc.
Foundations
Earl C. Sams Foundation, Inc.
ExxonMobil Foundation
Frazier Family Foundation
George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation
Harte Charitable Foundation
Harte Research Support Foundation
Houston Endowment, Inc.
John G. & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation
Knobloch Family Foundation
Meadows Foundation
Mr. Big Trout Scholarship Tournament
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation
Texas Surf Conservancy
The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation
The Ruth D. Turner Foundation Trull Foundation
TRIBUTE
GIFTS
Paula Barclay, in memory of Erin Caroline Donalson
Ellie and Lee Baskin, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Leonard Bedell, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Marilyn Beebe, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Dr. Charles Blend, in memory of Dr. Wes Tunnell
Lorraine Bonsall, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Ellen Buchanan, in honor of Jace Tunnell
Jan and Calvin Canamore, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Ann and David Coover, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Alyson and Drew Donalson, in memory of Erin Caroline Donalson
Peachy and Greg Donovan, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Sue Galloway, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Patrissa and David Getz, in memory of Wendy Teas
Bill Graeber, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
The Honorable Hayden Head and Barbara Head, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Susan and Chris Houston, in honor of Kristina Alexander
Jaime and Warren Janert, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Jun Lee, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Joosung Lee, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Dr. David McKee and Jane McKee, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Terri Murray, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Nancy Murray, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Laurie and Phil Plant, in honor of Larry McKinney
Heather Ptak, in memory of Steve Truchon
Robin and Mark Ray, in honor of Gregory Stunz
Silvia and Gonzalo Sandoval, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Donna Scott, in honor of Earl Staley
Robb Sherron, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Tyler Steen, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Catherine and Sam Susser, in honor of Dr. Robert Furgason
Van Tao, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Dr. Amy Thornberry and John Thornberry, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Delora and Richard Unterbrink, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Jamie and Steve Villarreal, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Charlene York, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Darryl Zercher, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
Bluewater Thermal Solutions, in memory of Louis "Scott" Murray
SPONSORED RESEARCH
Sponsored research is vital for HRI as it enables the institute to advance its mission of sustainable conservation and restoration of the Gulf of Mexico’s resources. Through funded projects, HRI can expand its scientific research efforts, supporting a wide array of initiatives from habitat restoration and species conservation to address water quality and ecosystem health. Additionally, it creates educational opportunities for students, training the next generation of marine scientists while addressing pressing ecological challenges in the Gulf region.
2024 RESEARCH SPONSORS
Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program
Coastal Bend Council of Governments
DOC-Economic Development Administration
DOC-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
DOC-NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Services
DOI-Fish and Wildlife Service
DOI-National Park Service
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Louisiana State University
Matagorda Bay Mitigation Trust
Mississippi State University
National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
National Science Foundation
Palacios Marine Agricultural Research, Inc
Space X
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Texas A&M University
Texas Commission On Environmental Quality
Texas General Land Office
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Texas Water Development Board
University of Florida
University of Hawaii – Manoa
University of South Alabama
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas Marine Science Institute
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Services
Red Snapper
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
Maggie Bains Endowed Scholarship
Established in 2013 by Chapel in the Hills, to assist deserving full-time students pursuing a graduate degree in marine biology and studying at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.
Coastal Conservation Association Texas Scholarship Fu nd – Harte Research Institute
Established in 2017 by CCA Texas, to assist a full-time student in good standing, pursuing a graduate degree with specific focus on marine resource management.
CCA-Phillips 66 Science of Conservation Scholarship
To assist two students committed to advancing their education in marine fisheries conservation.
R.N. “Dick” Conolly Endowed Scholarship
Established in 2008 by Rotary Club of Corpus Christi, to assist deserving students pursuing a Masters or Doctoral degree during a program of study with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.
Crutchfield Fellowship Endowed Fund
Established in 2012 through the Estate of John W. Crutchfield, to fund fellowships at the Masters and Doctoral levels for students enrolled at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and studying at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.
Richard A. Davis, Jr., Ph.D. and Mary Ann Davis, Ph.D. Endowed Scholarship
Established in 2018 by Richard A. Davis, Jr., Ph.D. and Mary Ann Davis, Ph.D., to assist deserving full-time students pursuing a Master of Science or Doctoral degree.
Erin Caroline Donalson Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Established in 2019 by Drew and Alyson Donalson, to assist deserving full-time students pursuing a degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi whose studies and/or research align with the mission of the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.
William and Lyell Snyder Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Marine Science
Established in 2020 by Gail S. and J. Michael Sutton, to assist deserving full-time students pursuing a degree in marine biology, or another discipline supported by the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.
Texas State Aquarium Endowed Scholarship in Biodiversity and Conservation Science
Established in 2018 by the Texas State Aquarium in memory of Dr. Wes Tunnell, to support graduate students conducting research on the Gulf of Mexico at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Stephen Truchon Endowed Fellowship in Marine Ecology
Established in 2022 by Raymond Valente and other friends of Stephen Truchon, to assist deserving full-time students pursuing a graduate degree in the field of marine ecology or another discipline supported by the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.
The Dr. John “Wes” Tunnell, Jr. Fellowship
The Harte Charitable Foundation annually supports graduate students from Mexico or the United States who are committed to research in Mexico while pursuing their graduate education at Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.
The Kathy and Wes Tunnell Endowed Travel Scholarship in Marine Sciences
Established in 2020 by the Tunnell Family, to assist deserving full-time Masters and Doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies with travel expenses.
ENDOWED FUNDS
The Cedar Bayou Endowed Restoration Fund
Established in 2024 by Port of Corpus Christi Authority of Nueces County, to cover costs associated with the maintenance and restoration of Cedar Bayou.
Edwin and Elizabeth Dodds Endowment
Established in 2022 by Edwin and Elizabeth Dodds, for the enhancement of the Bringing Ba n Back™ program.
Furgason Fellowship Fund
Established in 2007 through the George Marshall Hornblower Trust and matched by the Harte Charitable Foundation, to fund teaching/research fellowships to Mexican and Cuban nationals holding doctoral degrees from Mexican or Cuban universities in academic disciplines compatible with those of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. Additionally, this fund underwrites conferences, workshops, and symposia relating to the Gulf of Mexico and sponsors participant scientists, experts, and students from Mexico and Cuba.
The Harte Research Support Foundation
Established in 2000 by Edward H. Harte, to create and sustain the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
The Larry D. McKinney Endowed Chair in Coastal Conservation & Restoration
Established in 2023 by the Will Harte Family and the Harte Charitable Foundation, to provide leadership and science-based information supporting resource management and conservation e orts and improve sustainability of coastal ecosystems.
Louis “Scott” Murray Endowed Fund for the Conservation of Ba n Bay
Established in 2023 by Kirk Murray and other family members and friends of Scott Murray, for the enhancement of the Bringing Ba n Back™ program.
The Dan and Carolyn Pedrotti Endowment for the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation
Established in 2018 by Dan and Carolyn Pedrotti, for the enhancement of the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.
LEADERSHIP
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI PRESIDENT’S CABINET MEMBERS
Dr. Kelly M. Miller
President and CEO
Dr. Catherine Rudowsky
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Andrew Rogers
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Jaime Nodarse Barrera
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Adrian Rodriguez
Vice President for Student Engagement and Success and Intercollegiate Athletics
Dr. Ahmed Mahdy
Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation
John LaRue ’23
Vice President for Institutional Excellence and Chief Compliance Officer
Dr. Brenda Harms
Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management
THE HARTE RESEARCH INSTITUTE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Pat Murray (Chair)
Dr. Kelly M. Miller (Ex-Officio)
Dr. Greg Stunz (Ex-Officio)
Jay Kleberg (Ex-Officio)
Clint Bybee
Drew Donalson
Rob Fondren
Pam Harte
Dan Allen Hughes
Phil Miner
Mike Pedrotti
Mark Ray
Raul Rodriguez
TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS
Nancy Eshleman, (President)
Dr. Scott Elliff’82, ’86 & ’12, (Vice President)
Suzelle Tinnell ’89, (Treasurer)
Ed Cantu ’81, (Secretary)
Jordan Anderson
Jag Cheema ’68
Dr. Haysam Dawod ’85
Diane DeCou
President Kelly M. Miller (Ex-Officio)
Govind Nadkarni
Stephen Rybak ’05
Dr. Gregg Silverman
Dana Sisk ’01
Tim Stephens, (Past President)
Rosie Vela ’79 & ’80
John LaRue, ’23
CENTER FOR SPORTFISH SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
John Carlson
Rob Fondren
Brad Franklin
Phil Morlock
Pat Murray
Kevin O'Donovan
Will Ohmstede
Mike Pedrotti
Venable Proctor
Mark Ray
Robin Riechers
Troy Williamson
FINANCIALS AT A GLANCE
INCOME
9/1/23 — 8/31/24
In fiscal year 2024, HRI experienced robust growth in research, education, and outreach. This growth was driven primarily by increases in endowment value, sponsored research funding, and philanthropic contributions.
9/1/23 — 8/31/24
HRI’s positive performance is reflected in annual funding support of with total
and unrestricted funds reaching $18.6 MILLION $45 MILLION in fiscal year 2024.
