Bays & Bayous Symposium 2006

Mobile has the distinguished honor of hosting this year’s Alabama-Mississippi Bays and Bayous Symposium on November 28-29. The event will be held at the Mobile Convention Center, and over two days will have speakers that appeal to hardcore scientists as well as to the general public. Hosted by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, the Alabama Center for Estuarine Studies and the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, the symposium is will join people from state and federal agencies, universities and the general public to discuss the health of the northern Gulf of Mexico, and what challenges we may face in the years to come.

Kicking off the Symposium is Dr. Sylvia Earle, and everyone is welcome to come hear her speak on Tuesday morning from 8:30-9:30 am. Dr. Earle is an aquanaut and marine biologist, and has sometimes been addressed by the colorful names "Her Royal Deepness" or the "Sturgeon General". She has been an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society since 1998, the year Time magazine named her their first "hero for the planet." She will be discussing the impact humans have on the world ocean.

Throughout the day on Tuesday, there will be talks and posters regarding the water quality and living resources of the Northern Gulf. Speaking over lunch will be Dr. Nancy Rabalais, the Director of the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. She will talk about about how oxygen depleted waters and an excess of nutrients that we all contribute to effect us and the health of the Gulf.

A social on Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:00pm will feature the outspoken Coastal Geologist Dr. Orrin Pilkey from Duke University. A dynamic speaker, Dr. Pilkey is quick to share his sometimes controversial positions on many coastal development practices, and at the very least is sure to make you stop and think. Don't forget to bring your favorite copy of "The Beaches Are Moving" or other notable publications for signing.

On Wednesday starting at 9:00, there will be talks and posters regarding habitat management in the Northern Gulf, as well as natural hazards and coastal development. Dr. Frank Muller-Karger, a Professor of Oceanography from the University of South Florida and Director of the Institute for Marine Remote Sensing, will be discussing his work serving on President Bush’s U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.

Everyone planning to attend the Symposium should register online at ambbs.mobilebaynep.com or by phone at 431-6409. There will be no registration fee for Dr. Earle’s talk on Tuesday morning, and everyone is welcome to attend. There are different registration fees for those wishing only to attend Dr. Pilkey’s talk, for students wishing to attend part or all of the symposium, and for those wishing to attend the entire symposium. For additional information or questions, feel free to give me a call at 438-5690 or email bordesm@auburn.edu. I hope to see you there.

For additional questions or information, contact Shonda Borden, Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center, 438-5690.

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