Gulf of Mexico Reef Symposium 2023

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

BOOK YOUR ROOMS HERE

About the Meeting

This is the Second Gulf of Mexico Reef Symposium (the first was held at Rice in 2018). The goals of this symposium are to gather information on current and past research on the northern Gulf of Mexico reefs, establish region-wide research goals (especially at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary), and facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations. 

Coral reefs of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS, northwest Gulf of Mexico) face a number of threats, including pollution, large influxes of freshwater runoff from storms, fishing pressure, warming seas, and most recently, disease. Conservation efforts to protect and manage this valuable ecosystem are key, but the FGBNMS management plan has not been updated since 2010. Given the current state of coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico, it is crucial that scientists and managers work together to understand the current state of these ecosystems and develop effective management strategies, as well as, to gather information on current and past research on the northern Gulf of Mexico reefs, establish region-wide research goals, and facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations. To accomplish these goals, the 2-day Gulf of Mexico Reef Symposium will bring together an interdisciplinary group of experts in coral reef science and management to discuss the current state of coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico and identify research needs for the FGBNMS. Additionally, the meeting will serve as a forum to identify and prioritize research needs for the FGBNMS, which will help guide future research and management efforts. Following “lightning talks” on the first day, we will prioritize collaborative discussions and planning breakout sessions rather than traditional seminar-style talks. We hope these sessions will catalyze the writing of proposals and the planning of research opportunities. 

Meeting deliverable: a comprehensive scoping and update of suggested science needs for FGBNMS. This will include a detailed list of research topics and questions that are recommended be addressed, as well as suggested future research and management efforts. This document has been identified by FGBNMS Research Coordinator, Michelle Johnston, as a critical need because it will serve as a valuable resource for scientists, managers, and conservation organizations working to protect and restore coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Interested in Sponsoring this Event? Contact Marie Strader <mstrader@tamu.edu>

About the Symposium

Date: November 2nd & 3rd, 2023

Venue: Moody Gardens, Galveston, TX

Lodging:

Registration fee: $0 (Registration has now closed)

Breakfast and lunch will be provided on both days of the symposium (Nov 2 & 3). 

Hotel rooms will be subsidized (double occupancy) with priority given to Early Career Scholars.

Preliminary Meeting Schedule

Sponsors and Partner Organizations:

Texas Sea Grant, The Jackson School of Geosciences, Flower Garden Banks, Harte Research Institute, Texas State Aquarium, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Moody Gardens, Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee (artist)