Coral Forensics in the Deep Flower Garden Banks

Seaside Chats is an annual speaker series about ocean science and conservation topics associated with Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. These presentations take place on Wednesday evenings in February, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Central Time).

• Presentations are free and presented via webinar. Our speakers include sanctuary staff and guests from partner organizations.
• Anyone is welcome to attend, but presentation content is most suited to those in middle school and above. Please register for the webinar below.
• We are happy to provide attendance certificates for all participants and continuing professional education (CPE) hours for teachers.

For more information, contact Kelly.Drinnen@noaa.gov

 Coral Forensics in the Deep Flower Garden Banks

Like all marine animals, corals leave behind genetic traces in their environment. Scientists refer to these genetic traces as environmental DNA or eDNA. Similar to forensics, marine biologists can sequence this eDNA to determine what animals have passed through an area or are nearby but not easily seen. Learn how Luke McCartin sequences eDNA to better understand the corals that live in the deepest waters of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, even when he can’t see them! (Photo courtesy of NOAA National Center for Coastal Ocean Science and the CYCLE project)

Presented by Luke McCartin, Graduate Researcher, Lehigh University

Register for Webinar

For Texas Waters Specialist Certification:  VMS: AT: Texas Waters Specialist (Description: Coral Forensics in the Deep Flower Garden Banks)
For other Texas Master Naturalists:  VMS:  AT: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Description: Coral Forensics in the Deep Flower Garden Banks)