THE UNIVERSITY OF T!XAS AT AUSTIN MARINE SOENCE INSTITUTE PORT ARANSAS, TEXAS The JUN 0 6 1995 Lazarette LIBRARY Gazette NEWS FROM The University ofTexas at Austin MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE Port Aransas, Texas 78373-1267 (512-749-6760 -fax 512-749-6777) (internet: thompson@utmsi.zo.utexas.edu) Vol. 4, Issue 11, 2 June 1995 In this issue ofLazarette Gazette Peter Thomas & Terry Whitledge: Welcome students ...................... ~over Tony Amos: The three faces of weed ........................: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Lee Fuiman ordained (as n~wAssociate Professor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Regular sections: students -p. 1, personnel -p. 3, egabrag woes -p. 4, tony's tidings -p. 5, computer corner -p. 7, attaboys -p. 7, facilities & equipment -p. 8, letters to the editor -p. 8, seminars·-,-p. 8, cruise reports & boat operations -p. 9, irish pennants -p. 11, trip reports & travel -p. 12, editor's note -p. 12 Greetings to new students -We want to extend a warm and hearty welcome from the Marine Science Institute and Department of Marine Science at The University of Texas at Austin to our new and returning, students. This is your opportunity to learn more about marine and estuarine science through the organized classes and by particip.ating in the research.studies. This summer undergraduate courses are being offered in marine botany, aquatic microbiology, biology of fishes, and marine invertebrates. At the graduate level, we offer a course in biological oceanography. We have also scheduled a ·series of seminars which will be presented by dynamic and prominent marine scientists who will describe their research programs. Ifyou have any problems or questions which require administrative help, please feel free to come into the office and ask for help from Kathy or either of us. Welcome minority REU students -The Marine Science Institute minority summer intern program for 1995-will start on Monday, 5 June and will run through 11 August as a part of the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) sponsored by the Geosciences Division of the National Science Foundation. The students will be working in the laboratory and field environments with MSI faculty members in such areas as marine botany, phytoplankton ecology, zooplankton ecology, benthic ecology, larval fish ecology, and biogeochemistry of estuarine waters and sediments. The program will include cruises on the RIVLONGHORNto the Gulfof Mexico and Baffin Bay/Laguna Madre. The graduate student mentors for the REU program, Claire Fernandez and Cynthia Faulk, will help the REU students become acquainted with the Marine Science Institute and the local community. This will include visits to local attractions such as the Texas State Aquarium and the Aransas Wildlife Refuge. We are delighted to have the REU students participating in our ongoing research programs in marine science. Maybe we can persuade several ofthe participants to enter our graduate program in marine science when they finish their undergraduate degrees. Familiar faces Graduatestudents in the Department of Marine Science who are returning to Port Aransas for .the summer after their year in Austin: .Lauren Clark, Christopher Collumb, Mary Conley, Cynthia Faulk, Claire Fernandez, Juan Pablo Lazo, and Chris Ritter. Newcomers Two new Marine Science graduate students are in Port Aransas for the summer and will be returning to Austin next year: Charles Detweiler (Texas A&M University'.'"College Station} will be studying under the supervision of Peter Thomas and Christine Weilhoefer (Connecticut College) will be working with Ken Dunton. Short-timers. Fourteen undergraduates fro~ UT-Austin are attending the summer sessions: Heather Alexander, Joseph Azmeh, Theresa Bingham, Colleen Bryne, Katie Crysup, Leon Gervita, Gabriel Haney, Leslie Popiel, Michael Ro.we, Sharon Snow, Melissa Simpson, Leon Sparks, Matt Step.hens, and Eileen Vandenberg. Seven undergraduates from Southwest Texas State University are attending: Jenna Barrett, Paula Bernsen, Steven Buschang, Bryna Fahey, Scott Jecker, Tamara Molleor, and Michael Williams. Also attending are Joseph Kowalski and Christian Kowalski, UT-Pan American; Dolly Dobson, Northlake College; James Hagadorn, University of California; Reta Pearson, TAMU-College Station; Manuel Andy Soto, TAMU-Kingsville; and Camie Jugant, Stanford University. Congratulations to Rainer Amon, Jay Peterson, and Steve Opsahl on passing-their defense. HAVE A GOOD SUMMER! Terry Whitledge Peter Thomas Acting Director Acting Chairman Lee Fuiman -Associate Professor! Dr. Lee A. ·Fuiman has recently been notified of his promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Marine Science. Lee earned his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in 1983, his M.S. at Cornell University, and his ·B.S. at Southampton College of Long Island University. He first joined·The University of Texas in 1988. Dr. Fuiman's field of interest is fish biology, particularly morphology, behavior, the sensory biology of fish larvae, and the microchemistry of otoliths. His recent and ongoing investigations involve both laboratory and field experiments on the importance of predation in the life of fish larvae. Behavioral experiments, recorded on video tape for subsequent frame-by-frame motion analysis, provide details of the interaction between predators and fish larvae as prey. Changes in responsiveness and response effectiveness of larvae attacked by various predators are studied throughout the developmental period. Parallel studies ofsensory and locomotor development help determine how behavior might be constrained by morphology. Variations in environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and salinity) are also investigatedfor theirinfluence on larva behavior. Field experiments are used to form ecological interpretations for the laboratory. Dr. Fuiman will be teaching Biology ofFishes during the second session this summer. Jeff Caldwell There is a new face in the cafeteria this summer. Jeff Caldwell has already _cooked for a number of visiting groups (see Attaboys in this issue) during the absence of Toni Longoria due to her injury. Toni is still unable to return, and Jeff has taken over, at least for now, as head cook. Jeff is formerly of Port Aransas, returning home via Austin, Fort Davis, and UT's McDonald Observatory, where he was head cook until just this past February. Jeffs earlier Port Aransas days began.way back in 1965 when his family moved to Port Aransas, and his parents were employed by Ralph Plumlee during the "White Marlin" enterprise days. Near the UT Boat Basin and the entrance to Channelview Condominium there is a concrete foundation where most recently folks have played basketball. The foundation is the remains of his family's home which burned down. Jeff recalls early fun in Port Aransas in the Cub Scouts back when Jim Pratt was the leader. He attended school here before there was a high school-:-anly eight rooms and eight grades. Later he ·went to Flour Bluff High School. ·Jeff learned his cooking in several restaurants in Austin, notably the four.:star La Mansion. Next he moved to Fort Davis and was the cook/proprietor of the Fort Davis Drug, which became listed in many guide books as the best food in town. Jeff signed on as the head cook at UT's McDonald Observatory in 1991, working until the call of Port Aransas became too strong to resistlast February. While at McDonald Jeffhad the· experience of preparing a special meal for a group which included then Governor Ann Richards, who afterwards wished to hire him away to cook for her in Austin. MS/ Employees Proud Parents of • Rubee Nicole Torres received 2nd place in the sixth grade division ofthe Taft Jr. High Annual Science Fair. The topic of her project was, How long is the decomposition process of biodegradeable products? • Brandon Gaeta, H. G. Olsen Elementary, Jerry McDonald Good Citizen Award. • Robert Benton, PARS, Jerry McDonald Good Citizen Award. • Jill Thompson, P AHS Valedictorian, P AHS Female Athlete of the Year, and Jerry McDonald Good Citizen Award. An abbreviated historical treatise on the MSI cafeteria The first MSI Cook I encountered was in the summer of 1961. He was a young man, recently discharged from the U. S. Air Force where he had been cook and baby sitter for a colonel. He was not a bad cookand perhaps deserved a medal for surviving in the combination dormitory/cafeteria where about fifteen summer students, high school summer employees, (and the cook), slept, cooked, ate, and endured the heat and humidity, and·waited in line to use the limited restroom facilities. However, in the early 60's most folks were not as tolerant of alternate life styles as today. And this Airman had a rather disconcerting way of openly addressing some males with a wink, a sweet smile, and hello you great big handsome STUD. The next cook employed was a woman. Lois Rosencrans, known as Rosie, cooked for MSI for several summers (only in recent years has the cafeteria operated year-around). She was the first to cook in the present cafeteria building. Thenthe kitchen was in the West end (occupying space which was formerly the Bacteriology Laboratory), and the cook lived in other rooms (formerly Chemistry and Geology). Besides cooking, Rosie rooted oleanders. We owe many of the present large oleanders at MSI to her tenure. Another early MSI cook was Verda Life, who was the mother-in-law of Tom McNatt, a name familiar to many islanders. Verda was a great cook-her homemade bread and yeast rolls were particularly fantastic. The kitchen was still in the ex-Bacteriology Laboratory, and during her time a large snake took up residence. A knot was missing in the pine paneling above the cookingstove; the snake announced its presence to Verda by sticking its head out the hole as she was stirring a pot. Hazel Kersh followed Verda and cooked for a good many years. Hazel was a hard worker and conscientious. And she made sure the food was cooked-thoroughly, especially shrimp. I remember telling Hazel that her shrimp were just a little bit tough. Then the next time they were really tough. When asked about it she said, well I don't know why they are so tough, I remembered you complained the last time so I made sure to boil these an extra twenty minutes. The next cook was Selma Artley. After Selma we attempted to combine cooking aboard the RIV LONGHORN and the cafeteria job. This didn't work out well. Many still at MSI will remember this cook, who was usually very good. But then there were times the shakes would take over. No matter how you ordered your eggs they came out scrambled. On the other hand, he was great at stirring gravy. Once Bill Piepmeier was being served and it didn't look like the beans were going to hit his plate because the serving spoon was wildly gyrating. Bill reached right across the serving line and grabbed an arm and steadied it, making sure the beans hit the target rather than the floor (or ceiling). MSI has also had some notable cooks who only cooked on the RIV LONGHORN, but that is another story... -John Thompson 4 Tide Predictions for June (For tidal heights at the tide tower, South Jetty, the Aransas Pass. Heights are in feet above or below mean sea level. The shaded area is nighttime. Remember, this is tidal height, not tidal current. Slack water is when the wiggly line crosses the MSL line, not at peaks and valleys, where the tidal current will be a full flood or ebb.) :r m 8 x -i 1 0 2 0 :r rn H G') :r -c ~ -1 -2.i.:;:;:;;;;;:.;:__;__;__:;;;;;;..i..~;..._:...._..:.._;;;;~=---=-_;_~~:;..._.;__~~=--_;____;__=.JL;;..;=;;;_~~== -1 ~ -~·-?~ -2 .... rt :r m H GI =i 0 .p:ti:iii1:rl~~~ ,, 0 _,;;..--..,._:.:.....-rz 2 0 :r rn H G') :r -c ::; ~ -1 -1 .... ~ -2 ~ "' :J: rn H GI x -c 2 T-z_..,;.__:;=---;:.---T--~-..;;....--..;:...--r..........,'"'--';;;..-~ 0-+TTll'~l.l.U.Ll........,,.i'iT 2 0 :r rn H G> :r -c -1 .... ~ :r (Tl H Gl I -c 0 -1 .... rt :r (Tl H G'l :r -c 0 2 0 :r fT1 H G'l :r -c ::; ~ -1 -2 -1 -~ -Chuck Rowe 5 THE THREE FACES OF WEED This-is the time of year when Sargassum weed comes ashore on gulf beaches and creates what many consider to be a big mess. Two species of this pelagic weed, S. fluitans and S. nitans flourish in warm central Gulf of Mexico waters. W hen the weed first hits the beach, the Sargassum community animals attract numerous birds, especially laughing gulls, which feed manically on the Sargassum shrimp. Recently, great-tailed grackles (not considered to be your normal marine bird) have been collecting bill-fulls of tiny shrimp to take back to their nests to feed their young. S argassum weed at sea is most often seen in windrows ("weed lines") and patches where it unfortunately collects floating garbage dumped into the sea by man ("trash lines"). Here is a typical Sargassum patch encountered on a recent LONGHORN cruise. There is also a fascinating community of organisms associated with the weed, including occasional large fish (especially ling), lurking under the weed or under items of man's refuse. B eachgoers and those who manage the beach consider the weed to be a messy, smelly menace. A huge and often futile effort is made to remove the weed. Heavy equipment is used to pile up weed, sand, and garbage on the foredune area. The consequences of this policy are manifold, affecting beach erosion, dune-building, sea-turtle nesting, and bird-roosting and feeding activities. 6 SAS software for Windows and Macintosh is available via a site license to The University of Texas. The software is available on an annual renewal basis, and Paul Montagna is the site coordinator for the UTMSI. SAS is best known as a powerful statistics package. However, SAS is a comprehensive software system with database, graphics, mapping, report writing and statistical routines. l'he current version is 6.10, which is upgraded from 6.08. SAS for Windows, v6.10, requires a 386 with a math co-processor, 486 or pentium chip, 8 mb of RAM, and about 50 mb of harddisk space for statistics and 18 mb for graphics. It is available on CD-ROM or diskettes. Ifyou really want it, the PC-DOS version (6.04) is still available. SAS for Macintosh, v6.10, requires System 7.5 or greater, a 68040 chip, with a 68020 or 68030 chip a math co-processor is required, 8 mb of RAM, about 50 mb of harddisk space for statistics and 18 mb for graphics, and a CD-ROM for installation. The Macintosh version will also run on a PowerPC, but not a 68LC0.40 chip. We currently have six registered users at UTMSI. As site coordinator, I have custody of the disks, and can license users. A fee, $60 per year, entitles you to load and use the entire system or any components of the system on one CPU. Software manuals are purchased separately. Ifyou would like to have a copy of SAS, contact Paul Montagna (paul@utmsi, or 779). You can also contact Paul for a demonstration of SAS or to look at the software manuals. -Paul Montagna Chautauqua Course Comments -May 18-20 a Chautauqua-type Short Course, Exploring a Barrier Island System, was held at MSI under the direction of Rick Tinnin. Rick was assisted by Bob Huntington and Linda Fuiman. Jeff Caldwell was the cook. The following are excerpts from Feedback forms received from 19 participants (this group included five Ph.D.s). • Considering the overall quality ofthis offering, I would suggest that it be repeated in future years, perhaps even multiple sessions per year ... • A wonderful learning experience. • Rick did a super job ofpresenting material... • I could sit through this course again and again and still take something home. • WOW! Lots of learning without feeling of any pressure. • Give Director a raise! • Good boat (KATY) and Captain. • Rick Tinnin did a remarkable job! • Bob Huntington was very helpful and full ofgood information. • Probably the best part of the experience were the people involved-Rick, Linda, and Bob were all great. • The food was great! (There were 18 highly favorable comments on the food.) • Great course. I would recommend to any biologist, learned a great deal, had a good time and enjoyed meeting biologists from other parts of the state and country. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to attending other meetings here at Port A Good use of time ... Thanks for everything. Maintenance requests via e-mail Those using e-mail at MSI (60 + at last count), now have the option of using e-mail rather than the Maintenance or Small Project Request form for making their requests. To make an e-mail maintenance request,just address it to thompson and putmaintenance request as the subject. Ifa special project for research is involved, designate an account for charging materials and supplies. • The retirements of Pat Parker and myself from UTMSI have been too recent to allow time for any significant changes in our lives, but I thought you might like to hear ofour most recent venture in Organic Geochemistry. May 14-17 were the dates ofa symposium, Interfaces of Geochemistry, at the Tides Inn in Rappahanock, Virginia in honor ofthe distinguished career ofDr. Thomas C. Haering. Tom spent a summer in Port Aransas as a Visiting Scientist at UTMSI in the early 60's~ Eut his association with the laboratory did not start or end there. Tom served as Advisor, Mentor, Major Professor -Scientific Father -for both Patrick and me. Lest you think the list is short I hasten to point out that many UTMSI alumni have also had a close association with Tom. The symposium was organized by Marilyn Fogel (Ph.D., 1970), who went to the Carnegie Institution ofWashington as a Post Doctoral researcher for Tom and has been there ever since. Other scientists from UTMSI who have worked in Tom's lab or otherwise had a close scientific association with him are: John Calder (Ph.D., 1969), Judy (Sever) Lytle (M.A., 1968, Ph.D., 1970),°John Hedges (Ph.D., 1974), Stephen Macko (Ph.D., 1981), Brian Fry (MA., 1977, Ph.D., 1981), and Beth Trust (Ph.D., 1993). There are other geochemists from this state who are also indebted to his leadership. His first Post Doc at the Geophysical Laboratory was Richard Mitterer (UT-Dallas) and more recently Luis Cifuentes (TAMU). Still others in academia and industry have benefited from his outstanding career. Approximately one hundred geochemists gathered in a most luxurious setting to honor this Medalist. (Tom was awarded the Treibs Medal for Organic Geochemistry in 1987 -A medal not frequently doled out.) Si,xty-si,x talks and posters were presented ofworks which refiected his infiuence in the fields oforganic and stable isotope geochemistry. One last note on this meeting -when first organized about a year ago, .it was to honor his seventieth birthday -May 7, 1995. Tom chose this date to go into semi-retirement. He would still cpme into the lab -at his convenience -to tend to his instruments and to give advice to his colleagues. In December he was diagnosed with an untreatable brain cancer. Much of his time is spent in a highly sedated state and thus he was unable to attend his own Roering Fest. That didn't stop us. We hoisted more than a few in his honor! (Dick Sea/an and Pat Parker -Port Aransas and Bald Knob, Arkansas) • Steve Opsahl, UTMSI, Sources, transformations and fates of vascular plant derived organic matter in marine environments, Tuesday, May 30. Captain's report (Editor's note: In early March the LazGaz featured the assignment of Noe Cantu as the new captain of the RN LONGHORN and supervisor of all boat personnel at MS/. We asked Captain Cantu if he would report on "happenings" in the fleet since that time. The following is his response.) RIVLONGHORN A majorimprovement has been made in the air-conditioning system. The existing system was installed new by the shipyard during the midlife refit in 1986, but it has been. a constant problem. MSI's air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic, Bill Piepmeier, redesigned and engineered the system to eliminate the problems. Itis now a relatively trouble-free unit, and it is possible to carry a spare compressor for a simple change-out at sea without great difficulty, thanks to Bill's engineering and work. Itis very important to have backup systems on the RIVLONGHORN, both mechanical and electrical. The main fire pump has now been piped and connected to the main bilge manifold, to work as a backup bilge pump. And a mechanically driven water puinp has been installed on the port main engine to serve as an emergency dewatering pump or fire pump. A means of monitoring fresh water usage has been installed. A safety net was installed at the stern opening to insure th.at no one rolls over the stern whiletaking a nap. Safety drills are now conducted on a regular basis. Hayden Abel and Randy Pritchard have done a great job in making these changes. RIV.KATY Several long-standing problems on the RIVKATYhave been corrected. While underway, at no particular time or place, her rudder would go hard over to the starboard side. It was not possible to bring the rudder back to midship until the throttles were brought back to idle. This problem was traced to difficulty with the automatic pilot and corrected. A heating problem developed with the generator about five years ago when a keel cooler was installed. As long as the vessel was leaning to port, it would not over heat. Consequently the R JV KATY was being operated with a permanent list. The system has now been repiped, and you will notice she now floats level in her slip. New safety equipment has been purchased and installed (life rings, boarding ladder, smoke detectors, life rafts and outside VHF speaker). A safety net has been purchased to install on the stern opening to keep people aboard. Safety drills will be conducted on a regular basis. Thanks to Captain John Turany for all his help with this work. Small boats A new preventive maintenance schedule has been implemented. All small boats are to be run once a week and checked to ensure that all equipment is working, including trailer lights. Motors will be flushed with fresh water immediately after they have been out in the field. A smallboats training session was conducted to provide trouble shooting tips to operators and introduce the new ECHP system. On all the outboard motors that have electric start, a remote switch has been installed. It is referred to as an Emergency Come Home Package (hot wiring, barrio term). On a recent trip Dr. Ken Dunton and his crew had the honor of trying the ECHP. Without it, another boat would probably have been dispatched for a rescue operation. With it, they came home. Mark McGarity did a great job of installing these units. Other notes ·This is challenging and exciting work, involving mechanical, technical, and management aspects throughout the fleet. I want to thank John Shaw and the Maintenance Crew for dropping everything and assisting in the air-conditioningwork to assure that the RIVLONGHORN would be ready for a trip that took place right afterwards. And many thanks to the ladies in the Fiscal Office for their much needed understanding, especially Ms. Faye Smith, who holds vouchers on my request while I investigate to make sure we are not overcharged. The money has been safe. Finally, my e-mail address is cantu. While it should not be a substitute for completing the log books and the reports at the bottom of the boat forms, if there are any problems with the boats, suggestions, even gripes or whatever, which you wish to bring to my immediate attention, just send me a message (if it should possibly be a compliment, send copies to terry and thompson; otherwise, just send it to cantu!). -Noe Cantu Cruise #95-639 LONGSECS CRUIS~09 was conducted on May 22, 1995 between 0815 and 1530. ElleryIngall was the chief scientist. Participants were Kristen Rodda and Chuck Rowe. RIV LONGHORN cruised to 23 miles East of Part Aransas and occupied four stations on the return trip. A safety lecture and general alarm drill was conducted at 0830. The chief scientist reported the cruise to be fully successful. LONGHORN LONGSECS CRUISE09 UNDERWAY DATA: 05-22-1995 SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES THIS DAY; CTD CAllTW TIME UTil\JDE LDN8ITLtlE EVEHT 11521! 27 31.17N 511! :___4-,:; :;-+1---------=-=·='"'"'='"'·'·"~2;;;:,.:'i",;;;.;:· 'N TMTIY Cppt;) 27° 30 'N\!t-----+-----------W. !~5 ':i I 51, I§;~ IEI I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ----------~ N N ~ o -N w ~ ~ a ~ m o o -N w • ~ a ~ m m o -N w 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 97°w Cruise #95-640 was conducted on May 31, 1995 between 0435 and 1830. Woody Lee was the chief scientist. Participants were Bob Albers, Paul Clark, and Hugh Barnett (all from TAMU-GERG). Two stations were occupied, the first 15 miles North East ofPort Aransas in 10 fathoms ofwater and the second 38 miles South of Port Aransas in 22 fathoms of water. Current meters were deployed at both stations. Captain Cantu reported a small problem in deployment of one current meter, which hit the stern frame as well as a problem with the CTD. However, the chiefscientist reported: Crew was top notch, eager and well trained. It was a pleasure to use the vessel. LONGHORN CRUISE TGLO UNDERWAY DATA: o~-31-199e SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES THIS DAY; -"PP !WmlW ldJ ' .. Cl1I CMTW nJC UTXlUllS a.-1UX .-T s: 3 ->-.,.-w~1'.1I: l!7 LOCAU; llEI>tEllOA'r, fl!!nl/1115 ~ I t~Z,.C.:•. ".......,.,.~t:;;c; 2-=Ifa L.A. MDDN CIZ: -D UICAU; WEDEBOAY: oe'3S/98 Ml!,,..... ... 11~1~~~~~11 Ml. tygDrIJ cm f17oM BADDACOCK location confirmed -Nautical archaeologists under the leadership of Barto Arnold confirmed the location of the BADDACOCK Friday, May 19. The BADDACOCK was an ocean-going tug that sank in 1920. The wreck is submerged in 17 feet of water just South of the South Jetty. A substantial portion of the tug's remains stands as much as 10 to 12 feet above the sand on the Gulf floor. Although local divers have visited the site, this is the first scientific confirmation of its location, according to Barto Arnold, nautical archeologist with the Texas Historical Commission's Department of Antiquities Protection. A project is underway to record the site scientifically, map the exposed rem~ns,..and research the site's history. A brochure is planned to provide the .locatio_n and historic background of the site and to help .make it a heritage experience for visiting divers. I l Travel ending between May 20 and June 2 +Dean Stockwell, March 5-May 29, North Pole, participate in SCICEX 95 Cruise to Arctic Ocean aboard U.S. Navy Submarine. +Ron Benner, May 21-24, College Station and Galveston, Texas, present seminar at TAMU, The size reactivity continuum model for microbial utilization ofDOM. +Philippe Douillet, May 21-25, Washington D. C., to attend American Society for Microbiology Meeting. Our first issue was published on June 5, 1992. In observance of the passing of three years and the publication of 72 issues, Linda Yates has again drawn a special masthead. The young man celebrating the birthday on RIVLAZ GAZ is described by proud Aunt Kathy Quade as follows, the absolutely gorgeous young gentleman on this third year anniversary masthead is my nephew, Thomas Parnell, Jr. He resides in Waco, Texas with my brother Thomas, and his wife, Dawn, and his younger brother, Justin. You may remember that last issue I bragged about our new system for producing quality images for the LazGaz, and then perhaps noticed that the images really were not all that great. This was because of the final process of d:uplication by photocopier. This issue all the pages with images were produced directly on the computer's printer. Many thanks to Lynn Amos and Tony Amos for this extra effort and to Patty Webb and Linda Yates for splicing this page in with the others in each individual copy. Thanks also to Terry W:Q.itledge, Peter Thomas, Paul Montagna, JoAnn Page, Kathy Quade, and Noe Cantu for help with this issue. Thanks also to Barto Arnold of the Texas Historical Commission for continuing to keep us informed on nauticalI historical matters in the areas near Port Aransas. Finally, concerning Tony's The Three Faces of Weed pictures and commentary: I second his protest against the senseless removal ofSargassum from the beach. This is a natural part of Mustang Island's beach. Anyone who doesn't like it should go to one of those indoor beaches now popular in Japan (and take the subway while there)! -John Thompson