World Oceans Day

There are so many ways you can make a difference for our oceans.  World Oceans Day is a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future. The day will feature activities, speakers and exhibitors in our Special Events Building from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for educational booths and exhibits, plus, activities for the kids.

The Gladys Porter Zoo’s Aquatics Department has organized a full day of fun & learning opportunities featuring speakers and exhibitors Sea Turtle Inc., Texas Parks and Wildlife and UTRGV’s Marine Biology Department.

The tentative schedule for speakers is below:

10:30 a.m. – Brenda Peña (GPZ’s Aquatics keeper) – Topic: Fishing Size Limits
11:00 a.m.- Clint Guadiana (GPZ’s Curator of Reptiles & Amphibians) – Topic: Alligators & Crocodiles
11:30 a.m. – Dr. Erin Easton (Post Doctorit at UTRGV) – Topic: Research on Mesophotic Reefs & Easter Island
12:00 noon – Sam Silvestri ( GPZ’s Aquarist) – Topic: Zooplankton
12:30 p.m. – Shelby Bessette (Coastal SEEMS South Padre Island Program Coordinator) -Red Tide & Marine Mammal Strandings
1:00 p.m. – Daniel Goggins ( GPZ’s Senior Aquarist) – Topic: Plastic Pollution
1:30 p.m.- Andres Garcia (Texas Parks & Wildlife) – Topic: Fisheries Management

Don’t forget to say “Hi” or ask questions of the aquatics staff in the Russell Aquatic Ecology Center too.