Harte Research Institute

06/17/2026

🦪Over 80 volunteers came together at Kate's Hole Oyster Restoration volunteer event to help restore our coast!

More than 1,000 oyster bags were filled and deployed, helping create habitat, reduce erosion, and strengthen a living shoreline for years to come.

Click on the post to learn more!

06/17/2026

This week's cool creature feature is the Blue Marlin!

Fun Fact: The blue marlin is known to be one of the few ocean animals that are iconic. Known for their size, power and striking cobalt- blue coloration, these apex predators are built for life on the move.

To read more on the blue marlin, click on this post!

06/17/2026

Check out this new post from Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation ! 🦈🚨

A new scientific paper published in the ICES Journal of Marine Science examines shark depredation in recreational fisheries across U.S. Atlantic waters, providing insights from more than 100 years of observations and data.

To learn more, click on the post.

06/17/2026

We are deeply grateful to the Baffin Bay Convenience Store LLC team, the Coastal Cast Off Committee, tournament participants, sponsors, volunteers, guides, friends, and the West family for their incredible generosity and support in memory of Captain Craig West.

Thanks to this remarkable community effort, the 2026 Baffin Bay Coastal Cast Off raised and donated $16,992 to the Bringing Baffin Back initiative in Captain Craig West's honor.

Captain Craig West was a beloved guide, mentor, and advocate for Baffin Bay. This gift will help support the Exploring Baffin Bay Experience, a youth camp that introduces young people to the bay through hands-on fishing, science, and conservation activities.
We are honored to help carry Captain Craig's legacy forward through opportunities that connect youth to the resource he loved and spent his life sharing with others.

Thank you, and congratulations to the Coastal Cast Off organizers and participants for a fantastic event.

06/16/2026

Check this post from Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation!

Dr. Marcus Drymon will be hosting a webinar tonight from 6-7pm to discuss the Gulfwide disCARD project.

Click on the link to register for the webinar.
https://tr.ee/DyD8EL

To our recreational offshore anglers:
Dr. Marcus Drymon will be hosting a webinar from 6-7 tonight discussing the Gulfwide disCARD project. This is an opportunity to learn about the project, including its goals and the $50 monthly giveaway for active participation!
Click the link below to register.
https://tr.ee/DyD8EL

06/15/2026

After five years at liberty in the Gulf, this red snapper was recaptured just 60 miles from where it was originally tagged. Its return gives researcher's valuable insight into movement patterns and growth.

Click on this post to learn more.

06/15/2026

Jellyfish sightings are becoming more common along the Texas Coast as summer heats up. While most species are harmless, their stings can still be painful. If you're heading to the beach, stay aware of marine life, watch for purple flag warnings, and know how to respond if you encounter a jellyfish.

Stay safe and enjoy the water this summer!🌊

View this post to learn more.

06/15/2026

For more than 40 years, Dr. John Carmichael has witnessed the changes occurring in Baffin Bay and has dedicated his time to helping improve our understanding of the system. Through countless sampling trips and volunteer efforts, he has made a lasting impact on water quality research.

Thank you, Dr. Carmichael, for your dedication to Bringing Baffin Back.

Click on the post to learn more.

Dr. John Carmichael has fished Baffin Bay and the Laguna Madre for more than 40 years. Over that time, he has witnessed significant changes in the bay, including declining water clarity, fish kills, and brown tide blooms.

A retired family physician, John has spent many years enjoying his cabin overlooking the Baffin Bay’s ‘Badlands’.
When he had the opportunity to volunteer to support water quality research, he was eager to help. Through countless sampling trips across Baffin Bay, Dr. Carmichael has contributed valuable time and effort to improving understanding of the system.
Today, he enjoys retirement, spending time outdoors, and keeping his boat ready for the next trip on the bay.

Thank you, Dr. Carmichael, for your dedication to Bringing Baffin Back.

06/15/2026

Join Jace Tunnell on a beachcombing adventure as he uncovers the fascinating world of Ivory Tusk Shells! These unique marine mollusks spend their lives buried beneath the seafloor, but after storms and changing tides, their beautiful ivory-colored shells can wash ashore for lucky beachcombers to find.

06/12/2026

Great week of Beachcombing the Texas coast! So much washing in this week with the seaweed, both natural and manmade items. I call this survey the week of metal floats, interesting sea beans, rare shark, and migrating sea pigs. 🤣
Let us know if you have any summer plans to come to the beach, or if you have a favorite photo, we'd like to know that as well. Have a wonderful weekend!