The Sea Life Facility is the latest component of TAMUG’s new science complex on the Mitchell Campus.  I am excited to have had an opportunity to steward and aid in the design of a state-of-the-art marine research facility here on the TAMUG campus.  The Sea Life Facility provides important research infrastructure for TAMUG scientists as well as visiting scientists within and beyond Texas.  This facility was designed to enable scientists to conduct research ranging from bacteria, plankton, to fish and reptiles.  The opening of the Sea Life Facility marks Texas A&M University at Galveston as a premier location to conduct experimental marine research in the Gulf of Mexico.
Christopher Marshall, Ph.D., Associate Professor Marine Biology & Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.

IN THE NEWS

Endangered turtles find new hope at Texas A&M University at Galveston Sea Life Facility. Endangered sea turtles now have a new home at Texas A&M University at Galveston and its new Sea Life Facility, where they can recover and be viewed by the general public before their release back into the Gulf of Mexico. The first rescued turtle was delivered to the facility on January 10th, 2012, where the animal is recuperating prior to its anticipated release. (more)

TAMUG Sea Life Facility announces winner of name of the rescued sea turtle contest. (Galveston, Texas—April 23, 2012) — In January, a Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle was captured near Galveston in a cast net by local fishermen. It  was rehabilitated by the National Marine Fisheries Service and brought to the Texas A&M University at Galveston Sea Life Facility to recuperate. The Sea Turtle Restoration Project (www.seaturtles.org), a TAMUG affiliate, sponsored a “Name an Endangered Ridley Turtle” contest... (more)

Endangered Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Gets Named!

As of April 1, 2012 the Kemp's Ridley turtle has been named - Milagro - which mean miracle in Spanish. Sponsered by The Sea Turtle Restoration Project, the Name-the-Turtle Contest was held in which elementary and middle school classes from around the state could submit a choice of one name. The winning name was submitted by a middle school class at Sam Houston Middle School in Garland, Texas.

“They felt that it was a miracle for the turtle to have survived once we viewed the live turtle cam and saw the turtle’s missing flipper and chip our of its shell. After learning more about the Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and finding out that their main nest is in Mexico, my students became very excited since 90% of the school’s population is Hispanic.”

-          Teacher Ms. Copp, Sam Houston Middle School, Garland, Texas

Milagro is in a good state of health and is set to be released this summer once the waters become warm enough. For now, the turtle remains at the S.L.F. temporarily under watchful eye to monitor proper diet and daily activity.

Press:

KPRC Channel 2 Houston (Jan. 17, 2012)

KPRC Channel 2 Houston Evening News Story (May 8, 2012)

Houston Chronicle (Jan. 15, 2012)

Galveston Daily News (Jan. 14, 2012)

News 92 FM (Jan. 18, 2012)