•. The Lazarette Gazette NEWS FROM The University of Texas at Austin MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE Port Aransas, Texas 78373-1267 .. Vol. 2, Issue 18, 24 September 1993 In this issue ofLazarette Gazette Paul.Montagna: Marine Science a Big Deal in France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cover Tony Amos: Pelmini Party in the Arctic ......·.......... , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Wohlschlag named Oscar E~Sette Outstanding Marine Fishery Biologist ..... 8Regular sections: trip reports & travel -p. 1, grants & contracts -p. 4, computer corner ~·p. 5, publications -p. 6, attaboys -p. 7, egabrag woes -p. 8, personnel p. 9, cruisereports & boat operations -p. 9, facilities & equipment,....,.... p. 11, editor's note -p. 11, tony'stidings -p. 12 ··-············••ttllll!l111111titlll11111tlil:,f!fl More about France. In the last installment I gave a briefoverview of my tripto France. Here, I describe a few interesting details. Marine science is a bigdeal in France. France is about the size of Texas, but with twice as manypeople. Whereas Texas has a coastal zone on one of seven perimeters, Francehas four coastal zones along six perimeters. The French have a long traditionas a maritime nation. As you know, the MSI is the only major coastal marinelaboratory in Texas (with apologies to my colleagues in Galveston and SouthPadre Island). My French colleagues and I could not figure out how manymarine labs are in France. There are at least.15. I think all are government laboratories, and most have university affiliations. A French laboratory (I'll use lab from now on) has avery different structure from the MSI. There are no individual labs. Each lab is set up as a group facility,and maintained and staffed by the lab general budget. This has advantages and disadvantages. When we wanted to use a lab or facility, we had to reserve it. But, the lab was clean, well stocke.d, and full of shinyequipment ill good working order; whereas, my laboratory at the MSI is cluttered, short of supplies, andhas very old equipment (most needing to he replaced). In the middle of our experiment, we realized we needed some cultured algae. No problem, go to the phytoplankton lab, and put in an order. The technician gave us the needed cultures in 5 days. When we came back from the field with some sediment samples, the same technician also made chlorophyll measurements for us the same day. I liked this! It was sure easy to do work. All you have to do is give up some responsibility and the empire building. UTMSI is more like a mall. You know, lots of boutique shops, all working independently, but sharing common space for the foot traffic. A laboratory in France is more like a department store; the lab as a whole fights for the customer base. Senior scientific staffare also handled differently. It seemed to me, it was more like working for the post office than a university. It is difficult to get a job, since there are few if any openings each year. The openings are filled at the national level. Once you have a job, there is no way to lose it. Also, a scientist can request to be transferred to any other laboratory in the country, if the receiving lab director approves and has space available. Naturally, donor directors do not like giving up staff members. It is apparently more difficult to obtain permission to leave, than to arrive. So, is one system better than the other? I don't think so. They are just different. Like males and females are different, but one is not better than the other. Like males and females, the systems complement each other. I think the French work on different kinds ofproblems in different ways. Certainly there have been many important contributions from the French and other European countries. Their system has fewer elements of competition. But, don't we have too much? How much ofour time is wasted on endless proposal writing and management rather than science? It sure takes a lot out of a person. As I said in the last installment, the French system allowed us to accomplish twice as much work as we had planned. In Port Aransas, I usually accomplish less than I plan. I guess this is why a brief respite away from my desk at UT was so productive and enjoyable. -Paul Montagna Travel ending between September 11 and September 17 +Ken Dunton, September 7-12, Washington D.C., attend meeting of NSF Polar Programs Diving Control Board, meet with colleague at University ofMassachusetts to collaborate on manuscript on arctic algae and coordinate visit with Russian scientist expected this November. +Rick Tinnin, September 9-17, Los Fresnos, conduct Blue Planet teacher workshop and team teach with leadership team. +Ron Benner, September 10-18, Berlin, Germany, participate in Dahlem Conference on The role ofnonliving organic matter in the earth's carbon cycle. +Curtis Suttle, September 12-13, College Station, to present semin~ Viruses in Marine Systems. +Terry Whitledge, September 17-22, Peoria and Hamilton, Illinois, attend governor's conference on management of the Illinois River in Peoria and meeting on Mississippi River sampling in Hamilton. +Ken Dunton, September 18-23, Monterey, California, attend AAUS meeting for scientific dive program at UTMSI and meet with scientists at Hopkins Marine Station on studies relating to kelp and seagrass physiology. +Jim Tolan, Cameron Pratt, September 19-22, Port Mansfield, conduct ichthyoplankton sampling of seagrass beds in Redfish Bay. +Rick Tinnin, September 21-24, Longbeach, California, presentation Marine Field Experiences for Teachers and Students at Marine Technology Society Meeting. 2 PELMINI PARTY ABOARD THE OKEAH Pages from Anws,notebook aboard the Scientific Research Ship OKEAH Two MSI researchers, Tony Amos and Dean Stockwell, recently spent six weeks (seven for Dean) aboard the Russian Research Ship OKEAH (Ocean) in the Bering and Chukchi Seas ofthe Arctic. The cruise was the fourthjoint Russian-American Expedition in this region to study the effects of various pollutants which have found their way into the Arctic Ocean. The previous expedition was in 1988 aboard the AKADEMIC KOROLEV in which Amos and Acting Director Terry Whitledge participated. Here, unexpurgated, are snippets from my notes, sometimes written under duress. More to come in future LazGazes. -Tony Amos 5 September 1993, 1839 ship's time (GMT-9hrs) Late to bed because of the "Pelmeni Party". Every Sunday afternoon all the ship's company gather in the crew's mess to make pelmenis. These are little meat-filled dumplings which are later boiled and served for supper. We made thousands of 'em! To the tune ofloud disco-style Russian rock and roll playing on the stereo, we all sat around the tables making these things (I reproduce here sketches from my notebook showing the essential stages of pelmeni manufacture): itM..~~~ ~c~~~-~ >-~~~~ \!~~ I was quite good at this -others were not (please exc_I had to do this use my modesty). today because it. is the last Sunday of the cruise for me and I want to record the event on video. As soon as one finished filling an endless pile of dough circles and emptied · the huge bowl of filling, more of both appeared, so pelmeni-making was a long, exhausting task on top ofa long exhausting trip. Now I mu~t sleep as I feel weak with tiredness. It is calm outside. Goodnight! 3 AWARDS UPDATE -SEPTEMBER 1993 • Department ofEnergy 91-35/2 Benner: "Dissolved Organic Matter and Heterotrophic Microbial Activity," Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium/ Department ofEnergy, Subcontract MSl-92-1/Project 6740132 (Yr 2 of2), 07/01/9304/30/94. • Environmental Protection Agency 92-15/1 Thomas: "Evaluation ofEndocrine and Morphological Biomarkers ofReproductive Toxicity during Critical Stages ofthe Reproductive Cycle in Atlantic Croaker," Environmental Protection Agency, R819990-010 (Yr 1 of 3), 09/06/93-09/05/94. •National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration 91-37/3 Thomas: "Field and Laboratory Evaluation of Endocrine Indices of Reproductive Dysfunction in Atlantic Croaker," Texas A&M University/Sea Grant Program/NOAA-Coastal Ocean Program, Yr 3 of 3, 10/01/93-09/31/94. 92-06/2 Whitledge: "Buoyancy and Nutrient Exchange in the Mississippi River Outflow Region," NOAANECOP-Sea Grant.II'exas A&M University, NA990AA-D-SG689 (conex 90-10), 06/01/93-05/31/94. 92-07/2 ·Benner: "Organic Matter Decomposition, Nitrogen Recycling, and Oxygen Depletion in the Mississippi River Plume/Gulf Shelf Region," NOAA-NECOP-Sea Grant/I'exas A&M University, NA990AA-D-SG689 (conex 90-11), 06/01/93-05/31/94. 93-05/1 Montagna: "Long-Term Effect of Climate on Freshwater Inflow and Benthos in the Nueces Estuary," N.OAA-Sea Grant/l'exas A&M University, R/ES-57 (Yr 1 of 2), 09/01/93-08/31/94. 93-07/1 Arnold & Holt, J: "Life-Cycle Studies ofthe Red Snapper(Lutjanus campechanus) and Yellow-tail Snapper (Ocyunus chrysurus)," NOAA-Sea Grant/I'exas A&M University, R/M-50 (Yr 1 of 2), 9/01/9308/31/94. 93-09/1 Holt, J & Douillet: "Role ofMicrobial Ecology in Larval Fish Nutrition," NOAA-Sea Grantll'exas A&M University, R/M-41 (Yr 1 of 2), 09/01/93-08/31/94. 93-11/1 Thomas: "Physiology ofSomatolactin and Actions of Recombinant Somatolactin in Red Drum and Atlantic Croaker," NOAA-Sea Grant/l'exas A&M University, R/M-49 (Yr 1of2), 09/01/93-08/31/94. 93-13/1 Tinnin: "Marine Field Experience for Teachers and Students," NOAA-Sea Grant/l'exas A&M University, ET/C-32 (Yr 1 of 2), 09/01/93-08/31/94. •National Science Foundation 93-35 Thompson: "Ship Operations-1993," National Science Foundation, OCE-9314910, 07/01/9306/30/94. 4 • Office ofNaval Research 93-15 Suttle: "Viruses Infecting Marine Protists," Department of Defense/Office of Naval Research/AASERT, N00014-93-l-0797, 06/15/93-05/15/96. 93-18/1 Suttle: "Viral Pathogens of Marine Phytoplankton," Office of Naval Research, N00014-92-J1676P00001 (conex 91-28), 05/01/93-04/30/96. • Texas Parks & Wildlife Department 93-29 Parker & Stockwell: "Biological, Chemical and Stable Isotope Characterization of South Texas Algal Flats andAssociated Environments," Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Contract 333-0219, IAC (92-93)2269, 05/01/93-08/31/93. ~ompiled by Lynn Amos Should we group-purchase software? Now that hardware prices have D plummeted, software is the most expensive part of owning a computer. There are numerous software bargains available if we pool our resources. The easiest way is to purchase a site license from the UT-Austin Computer Center, Software l~Fr l\ Distribution· Services. Many of us have already purchased licenses for SAS this /.1 ?PS~\ way. The purchases generally require an initial fee and an annual renewal fee. The renewal fee guarantees you ·updates at no extra cost as soon as they are available. SAS for Windows has arrived. This version contains the complete implementation of the SAS system. I have already loaded it and worked with it. It's neat! A single fee, $60 per year, entitles you to load and use the entire system. I am the site coordinator for SAS, so just see me if you would like more details or a copy. The Computation Center also has other software available. For statistics there is: SPSS for DOS, MAC and Windows ($111 initial/ $49 renewal); and SYSTAT for DOS and Windows ($75/year). For MAC's there is: UT Dissertation Templates ($10), Hypercard ($30), IMSL ($175), and MacMovie ($15). For PC's there is a great package deal available from Lotus. How about 6 products for $10 each for a total of $60? The Lotus multiple choice plan allows you to receive software from six categories: word processing (Amipro), spreadsheets (1-2-3), graphics (Freelance), integrated (Works or Symphony), utilities (Magellan), and personal management (Organizer or Agenda). The annual renewal fee for the Lotus package is $30. What a deal! I just paid $99 dollars for the update for Freelance alone. I am told that an agreement from Microsoft is close to being finished that would allow us to purchase Microsoft products at a deep discount. Hop on the site-license wagon and get your favorite software at deep discounts. We should also explore buying other favorites, like Wordperfect, in a similar way. -Paul Montagna ,. ..... ·· =··· ...·. . .. ... ···.... . . .....;.;.·· ·········=·=-=-·-=·=-·.·.·.··.···· . . .· ..:. . . ·.....·.. · .·. . . I ······· . .. n ·.. 1l~1~~;:·~:~:~~~~-~·n·~o~··:·.: ··: ·: .... ··: ...:."··... · ·. . . .·. . :.:-:.:.:-:.:.:.:-:-: :::::::::::::::::::::::::=::::: . . ·.·.. ...·· .··.: . . :".: . :. ·:·:.: .::· . . ····.. . :::::=r=J}:(iii::t=>==· = ::: :.:·.:.:.·:. :·=:= · i~q:.~[~~~=~~:::Y~:~:: .. .·..~:~::::::.:/:::::::=t=.\.:.i/:_...·:·::.:...:.. ;:=..::·· .· .·:.·· ·. =.=.. . . . ·=·=-=·=·=-==-=·=·=· =:= :. ..··. :·<·:-.;..·. ..: :.. :. ::::: ·:::'. ..::=:::===;: ·.::.·.·.....·.. =: ·. ·.·.·:. new listings since February, 1993 • Khan, I.A. and P. Thomas. 1993. Immunocytochemical localization of serotonin and gonadotropinreleasing hormone in the brain and pituitary gland ofthe Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus. General and Comparative Endocrinology 91:167-180. • Copeland, P.A. and P. Thomas. 1993. Isolation of gonadotropin subunits and evidence for two distinct gonadotropins in Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). General and Comparative Endocrinology 91:115-125. • Thomas, P. & C.R. Arnold. 1993. Environmental and hormonal induction of gonadal recrudescence and spawning in red drum, spotted seatrout and some other sciaenid fishes. In J.F. Muir and R.J. Roberts (eds.), pages 31-42. Recent Advances in Aquaculture IV. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. • Godwin, J.R. and P. Thomas. 1993. Sex change and steroid profiles in the protandrous anemonefish Amhipion melanopus (Pomacentridae, Teleostei). General and Comparative Endocrinology 91:144 157. • Barry, T.P., P. Thomas and G.V. Callard. 1993. Stage-related production of21-hydroxylated progestins by the dogfish (Squalus acanthias) testis. Journal ofExperimental Zoology 265:522-532. • Fuhrman, J.A. and C.A. Suttle. 1993. ·Viruses in marine planktonic systems. Oceanography 6:50-62. • Gwo, J.-C., K Strawn and C.R. Arnold~ 1993. Induced ovulation in Atlantic croaker (Sciaenidae) using hCG and an LHRH analog: a preliminary study. Theriogenology 39:353-361. • Benner, R. and J.I. Hedges. 1993. A test of the accuracy of freshwater DOC measurements by hightemperature catalytic oxidation and UV-promoted persulfate oxidation. Mar. Chem. 41:161-165. • Buskey, E.J. and D.A. Stockwell. 1993. Effects of a persistent "Brown Tide" on zooplankton populations in the Laguna Madre ofSouth Texas. In: Toxic Phytoplankton Blooms in the Sea, T.J. Smayda and Y. Shimizu (eds.), 659-666. Proceedings Fifth International Conf. Toxic Marine Phytoplankton. Amsterdam, Elsevier Science Publishers. • Stockwell, D.A., E.J. Buskey and T.E. Whitledge. 1993. Studies on conditions conducive to the development and maintenance of a persistent "brown tide" in Laguna Madre, Texas. In: Toxic Phytoplankton Blooms in the Sea, T.J. Smayda and Y. Shimizu, (eds.), 693-698. Proceedings Fifth International Conf. Toxic Marine Phytoplankton. Amsterdam, Elsevier Science Publishers. • Strom, S.L. and E.J. Buskey. 1993. Feeding, growth, and behavior of the thecate heterotrophic dinoflagellate Oblea rotunda. Limnol. Oceanogr. 38:965-977. • Montagna, P. 1993. Radioisotope technique to quantify in situ microbivory by meiofauna in sediments. In: Handbook ofMethods in Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Kemp, P.F. Sherr, B.F., Sherr, E.B., and J.J. Cole (eds.), Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, pp. 745-753. • Webb, D.G. and P. Montagna. 1993. Reproductive patterns in meiobenthic Harpacticoida (Crustacea, Copepoda) of the California continental shelf(Santa Maria Basin). Continental Shelf Research 13:723-741. • Holt, G.J. (in press). The potential role of larvae fish culture in alleviating population and habitat losses. Am. Fish. Soc. Symp. Series. • Buskey, E.J. (in press). Annual pattern of micro-and mesozooplankton abundance and biomass in a subtropical estuary. • Davis, D.A. and C.R. Arnold. (in press). Evaluation of five carbohydrate sources for Penaeus vannamei. Aquaculture. • Hoff, G.R. and L.A. Fuiman. (in press). Morphometry and composition of red drum otoliths: changes associate with temperature, somatic growth rate and age. Comp. Biochem. and Physiology. • Montagna, P.A., D.A. Stockwell and R.D. Kalke.. (in press). Mulina lateralis populations and feeding during the Texas brown tide event. J. of Shellfish Research. • Pakulski, D. and R. Benner. (in press). Abundance and distribution of carbohydrates in the ocean. Limnol. and Oceanogr. 6 • Thomas, P., P.A. Copeland and J.A. Prentice. (in press). Preliminary observations on the reproductive physiology of female orangemouth corvina in captivity. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. • Thomas, P. and H.W. Wofford. (in press). Effects of cadmium and aroclor 1254 on lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase activity, and selected antioxidants in Atlantic croaker tissues. Aquatic Toxicology. • York, W.S., R. Patino and P. Thomas. (in press). Ultrastructural changes in follicle cell-oocyte associations during development and maturation of the ovarian follicle in Atlantic croaker. General and Comparative Endocrinology. • Sharp, J.H., R. Benner, L. Bennett, C.A. Carlson, R. Dow, and S.E. Fitzwater. (in press). A reevaluation of high temperature combustion and chemical oxidation measurements of dissolved organic carbon in seawater. Limnol. Oceanogr. • Pakulski, J.D., and R. Benner. (in press). Abundance and distribution of dissolved carbohydrates in the ocean. Limnol. Oceanogr. • Gardner, W.S., R. Benner, G. Chin-Leo, J.B. Cotner, B.J. Eadie, J.F. Cavaletto, and M.B. Lansing. (in press). Mineralization of organic material and bacterial dynamics in dark bottle experiments with Mississippi River plume water. Estuaries. • Hoff, G.R. and L.A. Fuiman. (in press). Environmentally induced variation in elemental composition of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) otoliths. Bulletin ofMarine Science. • Fuiman, L.A., and R.S. Batty. (in press). Susceptibility ofAtlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) larvae to predation by juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) and herring at two constant temperatures. Journal of Fish Biology. • Coachman, L.K., T.E. Whitledge and J.J. Goering. (in press). Silica in Bering Sea deep and bottom water.· Journal ofthe Oceanographic Society of Japan. • Tinnin, R.K. and E.J. Buskey. (in press). Bioluminescence: . Living Light of the Sea. CURRENT, The Journal of Marine Education. • Tinnin, R.K. (in press). A Salt Marsh Field Trip Guide. Texas A&M University Sea Grant Publications. -compiled by Patty Baker • Thank you for the three "doughnut" respirometers and for your superb efforts in shipping them successfully to my laboratory. They all arrived in good shape in your most sturdy transport box. Dr. Tina Swanson, my post~doc, and I plan to use these respirometers (and others somewhat patterned after these) in our current studies ofSacramento -San Joaquin Delta fishes. (Curly met Tina at the recent AFS meeting in Portland.) We are especially interested in the energetics, environmental tolerance limits, and swim velocities ofthe delta smelt, which was recently designated as a threatened species. Times being what they are in the Golden State, we may give the transport box a coat or two ofpaint or fiberglass resin as a sealer and make it into a laboratory tank! As tokens of our appreciation for your generosity, I have sent under separate cover, some Golden State agricultural products for your enjoyment. . I enjoy reading about the exciting developments in the UTMSI laboratories in the L. Gaz. newsletter. My visits back to Port Aransas have been limited to three since my graduation in 1973: attending Curly's retireTrJ,ent bash, moving a swimming-type respirometer to my lab in Davis, and conducting catfish research with Jim Cameron. enjoyed them all v~ry much, and I look forward to seeing my friends again soon on Mustang Island. (To Curly Wohlschlag, John Thompson, and Jerry Clanton from Joe Cech) UT'S CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE Well past midnight and deep in the tropical jungle, an animal growled in the darkness. It was September 1, 1980, and exactly twenty years since I began employment with UT; I remember thinking I had hardly expected to be at this location to celebrate my anniversary. The previous day had been spent at the estate Rust-op-twist on St. Croix, U.S.V.I., removing the last ofUT's property and occupying the site until the lease expired at midnight, making certain we could attest later that the property was in good condition when we left-not only that no one had burned it down while UT's lease was in effect but also that the cisterns were reasonably full of water and the rain gutters devoid of rotten mangoes. Our last act had been to remove the final edible items from the kitchen. We were now delivering them to Miss May, who had been the cook at Rust-op-twist and lived up a narrow trail in a small tin-roofed cottage amidst the tropical vegetation. While we waited safely in the car, Rick Tinnin successfully braved the threatening growls and delivered the food to Miss May, who would feed it to a swarm of children and grandchildren (I never figured out why she was known as Miss). To me, that was the symbolic end of UT's Caribbean adventure. The diversion to St. Croix began in 1976, when MSl's newly hired Director came complete with laboratory and research staffon a leased site in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It wasn't long before I was on my way to St. Croix to familiarize myself with the momentous goings-on in the tropics. Soon I was greatly impressed with the huge pumps bringing up seawater through pipelines to the seafloor in the great depths right off the beach. In the Artificial Upwelling Project this water was used to enrich the mariculture ponds on shore. Back at MSI someone claimed that one seagull flying over had the potential for enriching a tank in excess of that produced by pumping the water from the depths; but surely that was sour grapes. Rust-op-twist was a beautiful historic estate, complete with its own picturesque stone windmill, clear water on a coral beach, and beautiful manor house (with cook and well stocked liquor cabinet). The laboratory was constructed oflarge pieces ofcoral mortared together and had several small cubicles on each side of a long room. These low cubicles had been jails when the estate had slaves; they now housed desks; you slid in and worked sitting down-there was no room to stand. There were coconuts and mangoes in such profusion that no one even bothered to pick the mangoes which would cost you 69 cents each at the LG.A. in Port Aransas. There were also no-see-urns, and I discovered too late they can come through the window screens and bite about as bad as Texas chiggers. On my first visit a large land crab attacked me in the bathroom. On the return trip, I got a preview of what the next four years would be like. Arriving at the airport, we found we were in danger of missing connections later in Puerto Rico. No problem -a plane was quickly chartered and we were soon winging our way to Puerto Rico. On landing it was explained to me that I should put the charter fee on my credit card. As you can imagip.e, the years 1976-80 were interesting to me, to MSI, and to UT. And it wasn't all bad-Crucian Rum is extremely good and about a buck a fifth in the local grocery stores. -John Thompson 8 Dr. Wohlschlag receives award-Professor Emeritus Donald E., Curly, Wohlschlag was presented theOscar E. Sette Outstanding Marine Fishery Biologist award at the annual American Fishery Societymeeting in Portland, Oregon, on August 31. The award is given for sustained excellence in marine fisherybiology through research, teaching, administration, or a combination of the three. Curly was honored forhis long history of accomplishments in marine fish research in the Arctic, the Antarctic, and in Texasestuaries, as well as for his achievements in teaching, administration, and journal editing. Marjorieaccompanied Curly to Portland where he received the award and a plaque mounted on a miniature blackwalnut trawl door complete with brass chains. Curly's major professor, R. E. Ricker, and former graduatestudent, Joe Cech, were also in attendance at the award ceremony and helped him celebrate. Give Curlya call and he will surely invite you to see his mahogany trawl door. Congratulations Curly! -Joan Holt Dr. Gerhard Fonken announced his retirement September 8. The retirement will be effective with theselection of his successor; meanwhile, Dr. Fonken is practicing sailing off into the sunset on the mastheadof this issue of the Lazarette Gazette. As Executive Vice President and Provost, Dr. Fonken'sresponsibilities include the Marine Science Institute. A professor of chemistry, he joined the Universityfaculty in 1959 and has been a member of the central administration since 1970. Dr. Fonken hassupervised more than 25 doctoral and master's students and published extensively. Known as a good friendofMSI as well as the big boss, he will be greatly missed by all the UT folks at Port Aransas. Marie Alice Ramos -A big Texas welcome to Marie Alice Ramos from the Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Lisbon, Portugal. She will be here for two months working with Joan Holt. Alice was·grantedan award by the Luso-American Development Foundation to come to UTMSI to study aquaculture ofmarinelarval fish. In Portugal she works with sea bass, sea bream, and flat fish and has come to Texas to learnabout red drum culture. Hopefully, she will giye a seminar during her stay. -Joan Holt Changes in boat trip reservations -Questions are often asked about changing or cancelling boat tripreservations. How do you do it? Can you just mark it on the clipboard? Do you have to make out a newreservation form? Often you will need to phone Mark McGarity or other boat personnel to let them know about last minute changes which may be required such as those due to the weather. But the paperworkstill needs to get done so that there will be a current and correct copy on the clipboard and so that boat personnel have a current and correct copy. It does not matter whether a new sheet is made out or the old one reused by marking it revised and making the changes on it. But it is important that the new or revisedsheet is turned in for processing-notjust replaced on the clipboard. This makes certain not only that boatpersonnel can.prepare the boats properly on schedule and check them as they come back in, but also thatthe paperwork at the end of the month matches (that the boat personnel copy, which will have fuelconsumption and any professional operator time on it matches one with the same dates off theclipboard)-so that you don't get charged twice or-heaven forbid-not at all. 9 Cellular Phone and GPS, don't leave the dock without them-The old faithful workhorse of the MSI small boat fleet, the WHALER, finally had a break down. Following the laws of nature, the mechanical failure happened late in the evening, at one of the remotest areas of the Laguna Madre, and with most of the boat crew either on the RIV LONGHORN or out of pocket. But, thanks to the cellular telephone for communications and GPS for an exact location, the friendly folks from the PA Coast Guard Station were able to quickly respond and save three from MSI an unscheduled night in the Laguna. Senior Captain Gibson reports that it was the powerpac which caused old faithful to fail. (Don also reported that there appeared to have been insufficient fuel aboard to have·made the return trip even if the motor had not failed. There may be some relationship between the fuel tank not being filled and a missing schedule sheet for the trip.) Cruise #93-606 -September 9 through 22, the RIV LONGHORN cruised the Texas Coast for work of Dr. C. Kennicut of Texas A & M. (NSF: R0-_,-~,:~~,~u//...-' Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions ", .. ~ of selected organic compounds, OCE 9103654) ;·:~. Typical cruise charts, printed from omnitracs ·:. ~¥ESTOti BAY during the cruise period, are shown here in ) ... . . r . . reduced form. . ' ... .. .. •.·· a.___......~ _7, 1;' .., les 10 Pier-. The pier facility will be ready for use within the next few weeks. MSI personnel have completed construction of the instrument building at the far end ofthe pier and of the pier tide trap. The new pier tide trap features a power operated lift rather than the old hand crank winch. This should not only be easier but, more important, safer. John Shaw of the MSI maintenance staff deserves much credit for the design and engineering of this one-of-a-kind device. MSI carpenters, Ronnie Revell and Mike Horn, and painter Ollie Bandy, executed the design for an eight-sided instrument building. This beautiful little structure was designed by John Payne (as was the pier laboratory building) of the Architectural and Engineering Services Department of UT-Austin Physical Plant. Garrett Construction is almost through with work on the laboratory building. The building will be initiated in advance by the Advisory Council party there Saturday the 25th of September. Administration Building-The North-East wing ofthe Administration Building is undergoing extensive renovation of the HVAC system. While the major part of the Administration Building has always had excellent HVAC, heating and cooling have both been problems in the North-East wing since the building was constructed in 1960 (the airhandling system is different for the North-East wing). The new system provides a new airhandler and a dualduct system similar to that in the Laboratory Building. The MSI Salt Marsh/Tidal Pool -It has been s~ggested that a large marsh/tidal pool be constructed in the area between the Visitor Center and the Pier, with a walkway leading from the Visitor Center across the pond to the Pier. Walkways and observation platforms both across the pond and around the perimeter would provide individuals and classes many learning opportunities. The·area would also be a place ofgreat beauty. A preproposal to NSF received a moderately good response. Other sources of funding have been mentioned, such as money available for remediation ofhabitat destruction. Artist Linda Yates has prepared· a conceptual painting of the area. .The painting will be available for display in the office for the next few weeks. Since Joe Cech's letter started with a thank you, it is underAttaboys, but it couldjust as easily have gone under Letters to the Editor. Old-timer ex-students who skipped Attaboys.will want to go back and read the latest news from Joe Cech. I am still.seeking contributions for Egabrag Woes. Obviously this issue's story doesn't even scratch that subject's surface. Many earlier stories have gone back twenty or even thirty years-maybe this more recent topic will encourage someone else . to turn on the computer and Word Perfect. Tony Ainos and Paul Montagna continue to contribute substantially and regularly to the Lazarette Gazette. I niust not forget to put their maintenance request forms at the top of the heap (hint, hint -just kidding, or maybe not, you can't be sure). And thanks to Joan Holt for two items for the personnel news. I have seen Curly's miniature trawl door award, and it is a beauty. But Curly says he needs another one for the net to pull straight. Thanks also to our regular staff ofJoAnn Page, Kathy Quade, Patty Baker (publications list as well as duplication and mailing), Linda Yates (artist), and Lynn Amos (grants/contracts list, proofreader extraordinaire and named and lettered the masthead boat). The Lazarette Gazette is not printed or mailed with appropriated funds. -John Thompson ··.····· tf)tf~~ . ;. Tide Predictions-September 27-August 10 (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.) I Ill H Ci) I -i 0 2 0 I rn H Ci) I _.. -1 .... ~ .... ~ -1 -2 2 o. -1 -2 I rn H Ci) I _.. .... ~ Weather Report-September 6-19 12