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A vivid photograph of Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico. Credit to Go Fish Punta Mita. In this article, we shall be discussing the Documented History of Sayulita. Sayulita is a small resort town on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. It is located in the Nayarit state, & is just north of Banderas Bay. Their beaches are extremely popular amongst surfers, & have been popular for a long time. Additionally, the coastline is popular amongst snorkelers & scuba divers alike. Its proximity to Puerto Vallarta also helps with domestic tourism. The nightlife is extremely active, which is a very attractive feature. Well known for its food, never ending parties, & wildlife, the city truly has something to offer to almost everyone. However, with all of these intriguing things to do, many often forget about the magnificent wildlife of Sayulita. Sayulita has many, many different creatures, from whales, to geckos, to land crabs. The landscape is vast, & unequivocally biodiverse. Approximately 300 bird species are found in the city, both near the coast & the mountains. However, this is not these are not the only things Sayulita has to offer, as the area has a rich & beautiful history. Sayulita’s name comes from an Aztec word, Sayolin, which means “The Place of the Flies”. The city was named by Nahuatl resident Don Lauro González Guerra. A few sources claim that he named it after Sayula, Jalisco, Mexico, however this is not confirmed. For the majority of its history, Sayulita has been isolated from the rest of Mexico, & has developed largely on its own. The indigenous aboriginals that inhabited the area prior the Spaniards sailing in, are the Huichol. They still inhabit the area, & are extremely active. These indigenous aboriginals, are descended directly from the Aztecs. In this article, we shall discuss the documented history of Sayulita, the indigenous aboriginals of Sayulita, the most destructive man-caused & natural disasters to affect Sayulita, & the economic state of Sayulita. With that being said, let us delve into the rich, tropical, & intriguing history of Sayulita, Mexico. The Documented History Of Sayulita Before Colonization Prior to Colonization, Sayulita was inhabited by the Aztecs, & later the Huichol. These people would fish, & generally use the coastline as a source of economic development. After Colonization By The Spaniards Historical Events From The 1500’s To The 1800’s The first Spanish Explorer sailed in, in the year 1524. This explorer went by the name of Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura. Upon sailing in, it was discovered by him & his men that Sayulita had a lot of economic potential, as the coconut palms in the region provide a rich palm oil. The men quickly began working to extract the oil, & shipping it out. For the next few centuries, this is largely what sustained the economy. After Mexico’s Independence Historical Events From The 1900’s During the turn of the century, Sayulita had a mere 6 to 10 houses, with 6 to 10 families. In 1936, the cities future seemed dire, so much so that a Mexican resident Don Santiago gave the families in the area plots of land, to prevent the city from falling apart. During this time, Palm Oil was still the main source of revenue for the city, however this began to slowly change. Slowly, people came in from all around, as they began to recognize the cities beauty, & fishing began to become more popular. In the 1940’s, agriculture & fishing began to appear, & slowly grew as an industry in the city. As early as the 1960’s, American, British, Australian, Mexican, & Brazilian surfers would visit the city to surf. This prompted the construction of the Las Varas-Vallarta highway, which opened the city to even more tourism. As these surfers began to spread the knowledge of the city, more began to trickle in. By the 1990’s, Sayulita’s main economic source shifted to tourism, & surfers found the area increasingly attractive. The Indigenous Aboriginals Of Sayulita The Huichol Indigenous Aboriginals Of Sayulita The Huichol Indigenous Aboriginals are a small group of Native Mexicans found in the state of Nayarit. They refer to themselves as Wixàritari.They primarily inhabit the Sierra Madre Mountains. They are considered to be the last tribe in North America to still practice Pre-Columbian traditions. As of 2026, there are approximately 35,000 living Huichols. They traditionally speak the Wixárika Niukiyari language, which belongs to the Uto-Aztecan Language Family. The modern diet of the average Huichol individual primarily consists of cheese, milk, rice, pasta, beans, corn tortillas, peppers, & various vegetables. As for livestock, many keep cattle, chickens, pigs, & goats. It is not clear whether or not they practice agriculture. The Huichol people are directly descended from the Aztecs. Marriage in their culture is often arranged between 2 families, for individuals between 14 & 17 years of age. Once married, the couple will traditionally live in a stone house with thatched roofs. These houses are constructed with the family in mind, & have a communal kitchen. Oftentimes, these houses will be on a ranch, & have family shrines known as Xiriki. The family model is built around extended family, instead of a smaller nuclear family. Districts of related ranchos are known as a temple district. These temple districts comprise a larger district, which are governed by a council of shamans known as Kawiterutsixi. Possibly the most popular things the Huichol are known for, are their beadwork, yarn paintings, & embroidery. The Huichol people make many artistic pieces, often with religious or naturalistic influences. These pieces are important to their culture, & to their shamanistic traditions. As they have lived in the mountains for hundreds of years, they find the mountains to be sacred. In their belief system, the mountains are home to mystical beings. Their religion & world view is deeply tied to nature, & the land they live on. Traditionally, the belief is that 2 governing gods rule the world, those being Tayuapá the sun god, & Nacawé the rain goddess. In their creation myth, Tayuapá created humans with his own saliva, & dropped them in the ocean waves. Afterward, he flew across the ocean in a bird form, & dropped a large cross in the ocean. He climbed this cross from the ocean floor, & killed all the darkness of the world, leaving light alone. The Most Destructive Man Caused & Natural Disasters To Affect Sayulita Disaster No. 1: Hurricane Rosalyn Hurricane Rosalyn was a category 4 hurricane in the Pacific Ocean, lasting from October 20th, 2022, to October 24th, 2022. It was the tenth hurricane in the 2022 Pacific Hurricane Season. It effected the Pacific coast of Mexico, & caused approximately 56.7 million U.S.D in damages. As of 2026, there are 4 recognized direct fatalities as a result of the storm. The Economic State Of Sayulita The economic state of Sayulita is relatively stable. The primary industry of Sayulita is tourism, which greatly benefits the locals. With the economic boom caused by tourists, many businesses have been able to grow & expand in ways that were previously not possible. As of 2026, the average cost of living for a local is 1,266 U.S.D per month. A photograph of a beach crowded with vibrant umbrellas along Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico. Credit to Randy Kostichka. Directories / Credits Citation No. 1: “History; Culture; & Tourism | Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published By Villa Los Corales. Retrieval Date: March 27th, 2024. https://villaloscorales.com/sayulita-nayarit-history-culture-and-tourism/ Citation No. 2: “Sayulita’s Past & Present”, Written by Maria Zache, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by Sayulita Life. Retrieval Date: March 27th, 2024. https://www.sayulitalife.com/sayulita-past-present Citation No. 3: “Sayulita, Mexico: Where Magic Meets History” Written by Jessica VanNess, & Published on August 19th, 2023. Published by Process Ceramics. Retrieval Date: March 28, 2024. https://www.processceramics.com/unearthing-the-journey/sayulita-mexico-where-magic-meets-history?format=amp Citation No. 4: “Sayulita, Nayarit” Written by María Fernanda Romero Villavicencio, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by Timeline. Retrieval Date: March 28, 2024. https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/sayulita Citation No. 5: “The Huichol of the Sierra Madre” Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published By the Dance Of The Deer Foundation. Retrieval Date: March 28, 2024. https://www.shamanism.com/huichol Citation No. 6: “Huichol Culture, Art, & Religious Traditions” Written By Unknown, & Published on May 25th, 2021. Published by Garza Blanca Resorts. Retrieval Date: March 28, 2024. https://www.garzablancaresort.com/blog/puerto-vallarta/huichol-culture/ Citation No. 7: “Hurricane Rosalyn” Written By Robbie Berg, & Published on February 15th, 2023. Published by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. Retrieval Date: March 28, 2024. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/EP192022_Roslyn.pdf Citation No. 8: “Cost Of Living In Sayulita” Written By Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by Nomad. Retrieval Date: March 28, 2024. https://nomadlist.com/cost-of-living/in/sayulita Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Pitfire Artisan Pizza Olivenbaum Music Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

This month’s article series will be about… The island of Saint Lucia! It is its own country. From its closest point to the mainland it is 186.04 Nautical/Marine miles (214.091009 miles or 344.54608 kilometers) from mainland Venezuela. It is also 1314.27 Nautical/Marine miles (1512.434905 miles or 2434.02804 kilometers) from mainland Florida. It exists in the Caribbean & is one of the safest Caribbean islands to visit. It has a beautiful bustling ecosystem that is full of colour & many different strange species. Since it is in a tropical area & also it has many oceanic nutrients, it is incredibly appealing to many species for all sorts of purposes. This makes it incredibly biodiverse. One of the interesting species that are found here, is the slender sea horse. It is not found here for part of the year due to migration cycles, it does not live around Saint Lucia year-round. Some people even say that there is a sea horse mania due to the high concentration of them. In this article, we will discuss the life of the slender seahorse, the mating procedures, tactics, practices, & cycles of the slender sea horse, the distribution of the sea horse, & the scientific details of the sea horse. With that being said, let us delve into the slender sea horse of Saint Lucia. The Lives Of The Slender Sea Horse The Slender Sea Horse was discovered in 1933. It is unknown who exactly discovered it as it was described in a scientific report but the author did not clearly take credit for its discovery. Slender Sea Horses are usually a maximum height of 6.9 inches (17.526 centimeters) for both genders. They do not have an age where they reach maturity, but rather a height with that height being at 3.1 inches (7.874 Centimeters). They usually weigh between 7 ounces & 1 pound (0.198447 to 0.453592 kilograms), this does not change by gender. Its average life span is 2.5 years however this may change depending on the environment. Sea horses are incredibly socially smart & do often form emotional bonds & communicate with each other. They are incredibly social & often live in herds when captured, however they often do live in solitude in the wild. They do have some capacity for memory as they often remember humans who have taken care of them & they remember each other. They also form social hierarchies in herds. They also can form a trust for each other & humans. This species has existed for about 13 million years as those are our oldest fossils of them. Their diet usually consists of krill, copepods, plankton, fish larvae, & occasionally shrimp. Small marine crustaceans are also a common part of their diet. They will also consume any types of small edibles that are around them that they can consume. They are not cannibalistic in any capacity whatsoever. They will often eat up to 3000 pieces of food per day. This is not a result of an accelerated metabolism. The predators they encounter depend on the areas that they are in, however the most common ones for the Saint Lucia population are crabs, larger fish, sharks, & sting rays. Slender Sea Horses are not very territorial & will not fight over territory. Their territories that they do claim often overlap into each other. These territories are often at a size of 1,100 square feet (102.1933 square meters). They are not often aggressive to each other or to humans if left unprovoked. They are not endangered and are categorized as “Not Threatened” on the IUCN list. Besides mating, they often do not engage with other sea horses. They are often yellow brown, or white in colour. However they can be two-toned. A good way to identify them is that they have small black spots along their bodies that other sea horses do not have. The males have a smooth pouch & the females do not. Its head is horse-like & curves down, they also have a longer snout than other sea horse species. The Mating Procedures, Cycles, Tactics, & Practices Of The Slender Sea Horse Slender sea horses mate via sexual reproduction. They mate underwater via internal fertilization. They do not have a specific age, but rather a size that they reach sexual maturity at. That size is 3 inches long. They are not hermaphroditic. Seahorses are monogamous & will form emotional bonds with each other. They stay together for their entire lives after the initial courtship ritual. They have an interesting courtship ritual, in which the male may change colour & inflate his smooth pouch. This pouch is located at the base of his tail. The female & male will then perform a sort of dramatic dance around each other. In this dance they may flutter their fins, synchronize tail movements, & twirl around each other. It is not clear how long this dance is actually supposed to last, however, can last for up to a few days before they begin to mate. After this dance is performed the female will deposit her eggs into the male’s pouch. The female will use her ovipositor in order to do so. The male will then fertilize the eggs, there are usually about 1,600 eggs that will be deposited. However not all of these eggs will hatch or reach adulthood. These eggs are usually 1.2 millimeters (0.0472441 inches or 0.12 centimeters) in diameter. The eggs will take on average 2 weeks to hatch. However, it may take up to 30 days for the father to birth the juveniles. During this period the male will regulate the salinity level in his abdomen to the outside salinity in order to prepare the babies for the salinity once they are birthed. Once the male is ready to give birth to them, his abdomen will open & expel the juvenile seahorses into the ocean. These children will look almost identical to their parents as soon as they have been released. However, some may not be fully developed & still be curled up & covered in egg membrane. This will most likely not affect them later in life. It is not clear the exact percentage of how many of the eggs are actually fertilized & come out alive. It is also not clear what happens to the unfertilized eggs that don’t come out. After they are birthed, the father & mother will not continue to partake in the babies’ lives & will leave to have another group of children. After this, only 0.5% of the children will survive to adulthood to have their own children. It is not clear how many groups of children they will have per year. They also do not have a specific mating season. It is also not clear at what age they are most fertile. The Distribution Of The Slender Sea Horse Slender sea horses are found all throughout the Caribbean. They seem to prefer warmer waters as they are found in higher concentrations around the Caribbean, Brazil, & Venezuela. However, they are found as far north as Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Another reason for them being in the tropics is that there is more flora to blend in with as their main means of defense is camouflage. They reproduce quickly, so this may be a reason why they are found in very many places. Food is also readily available in the tropics so that may be a contributing factor. They do have a bodily cooling system which gives them a bit of freedom when choosing an environment. They have shown signs of migrating further north so in the future we may have a different idea of what environment they prefer. The image above depicts a map of the distribution of Hippocampus Reidi. The Scientific Detailings Of The Slender Sea Horse The Slender Sea Horse is incredibly interesting for many reasons but the most well-known of them all is that the male gets pregnant & gives birth instead of the female. This is a trait that is only found in sea horses & sea dragons. This is due to an interesting attribute, the male has a pouch that the female releases her eggs into. In turn, the male fertilizes the eggs & once he is ready, an opening in his abdomen appears & through muscle contractions he pushes out the juveniles. This, however, is not the only specialized thing about them. They have specialized structures within their skin cells that are called chromatophores. This allows them to change colour in order to mimic their surroundings. They are able to do this seemingly at will. Sea horses lack teeth, instead having a long snout that they use to vacuum prey into their throats. This is why they can only consume very small edibles. They also lack a stomach & have an incredibly unique digestive tract which is only found in sea horses. The way that they digest is that their snout sucks the food in & it disintegrates as it goes through the snout. Due to this, they have to eat continuously to live or they will die of starvation. A sea horse’s anal fin is also on the front of the sea horse, it is near the torso of the sea horse. The male’s pouch so to speak, is just below the anal fin. The gills of the sea horse are located on the side of their head & are shaped like a circle. It is quite noticeable. Their tail is square in bone structure. Their skeleton is a bone structure of interlocking bones. If you look at a Slender Sea Horse’s entire body you will notice that all of it is built in a very similar way besides the skull. The image above depicts a sea horse skeleton replica. Their bones make them not very appealing to crabs as they cannot be gripped onto by crabs’ claws. Their anatomy makes it incredibly hard for them to swim at a fast pace. Their fins do not help with speed at all, and are mostly used by the sea horse to steer. After a long journey, they can die quickly of exhaustion. They also swim upright, unlike any other fish in the ocean. Occasionally, they will use their tail to wrap around seaweed or other types of flora. They have been captured by humans & are friendly towards humans. Sea horses all evolved from pipefish-like species. This can be seen due in that there is a present genome in them that is found in almost every pipefish species. Their phylum is Chordata meaning that they developed these 5 characteristics. All species under the phylum of Chordata develop 5 similar characteristics either in adulthood or as juveniles. The characteristics that they develop include a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, endostyle or thyroid, pharyngeal Slits, & a post-anal tail. Their class is Actinopterygii, which means that they are ray-finned fish. This also means that their actinopterygian fin rays attach directly to the proximal or basal skeletal elements. Their order is Syngnathiformes. This is an order of ray-skinned fishes that includes trumpetfish & sea horses. A characteristic of being categorized under this order is that their bodies are narrow & surrounded by a series of bony rings. Another characteristic is their long tubular mouths. Their family is Syngathidae. This is a family of sea horses & pipefish. A characteristic of them is their elongated snout. Another characteristic is that they lack pelvic fins. Their genus is Hippocampus. A feature that is found in all of them is their bone structure leaves them in an upright position. Hippocampus is one of the genuses that make up the family of Syngathidae. Directories / References https://www.diveagainstdebris.org/blog/scuba-st-lucia/aug-06-16/seahorse-mania https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/hippocampus-reidi/ https://seahorse.com/topic/how-smart-are-these-creatures/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/seahorses https://www.theseahorsetrust.org/seahorse-facts/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4778478/ ThoughtCohttps://www.thoughtco.com › longs...Facts About the Longsnout or Slender Seahorse https://www.iucn-seahorse.org › iuc...Global IUCN Red List Assessments https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34331361/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/gallery/see-a-male-seahorse-give-birth/ https://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/2016/06/19/seahorses-super-dads-sea/ https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seahorse.html https://www.google.com/amp/s/poseidonsweb.com/seahorse-anatomy-differences-way-beyond-cute/amp/ Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors Our Loyal Patrons Ms. Ochoa

A striking black-and-white photograph of Mary Jane Rathbun. This article is part of our Marine Hall of Distinction collection. In this special collection, we discuss the marine biologists who have contributed most to marine biology & oceanography. We do this to commemorate these marine biologists & show gratitude for everything they have contributed to our oceans. Today's marine scientist is Mary Jane Rathbun. Mary Jane Rathbun was the nation’s first female carcinologist, & one of the most esteemed marine scientists of all time. She is well known for her groundbreaking work with crustaceans, & discovery of over 1,166 species. In today’s article, we will delve into her formative years & education, her personal life & career, as well as her achievements, awards, & accomplishments. With that being said, let’s plunge into the captivating world of crustaceans! Her Formative Years & Education Mary J. Rathbun was born on June 11th, 1860 in Buffalo, New York. Her father, Charles Rathbun, was a descendant of a lineage of enterprising stone masons that immigrated from England during the early 1600's. He owned several quarries & was extremely successful as the city of Buffalo built much infrastructure around this time, causing an increased demand for stone. His house, the house Mary J. Rathbun was born & spent her childhood in, was built with this same stone. She attended Buffalo public schools for her primary education, & was said to be gifted in reading, writing, & arithmetic. During her secondary education at a Central School, she focused her studies on English, & spent her 4 years focused on literature, & writing. For her efforts, she was named a Star Scholar each year at the institution, & awarded the Jesse Ketchum Gold Medal, First Class, for excellence in English. She later attributed much of her success to this rigorous study of English during her early years. She graduated in 1878, the same year the phonograph was invented. She did not attend any university, or college to further her education. Her Personal Life & Career Her foray into the field of marine science began in 1881, when she accompanied her brother, Richard Rathbun, to the United States Commission of Fish, in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. At this time, he was employed as a scientific assistant under A. E. Verrill, a professor with the prestigious Yale University. A. E. Verill was working with the invertebrate marine fauna collection that was slowly being accumulated at the United States Commission of Fish. A sophisticated black-and-white photograph of the zoologist Richard Rathbun, her brother. One of his fellow scientific assistants, Professor S. I. Smith, was a scholar on crustacea, & was working on a variety of papers on the subject. Rathbun assisted in labelling, recording, & sorting the crustacean specimens, & realized how fascinating they were. As such, from this point onward, she dedicated her life to the study of crustaceans. She was so devoted to her craft, that from 1881 to 1884, she worked with her brother voluntarily, without payment. For her dedication, she earned a clerkship in 1886, provided by Dr. Spencer Baird, who was the Head of the Smithsonian, & the Commissioner of the United States Commission of Fish. This clerkship saw her transferred to the National Museum's Department of Marine Invertebrates, as a "copyist". In this department, she worked in record-keeping, & organized the new collection of marine invertebrates being given by the Commission. In this position, she worked mostly in isolation, as the budget at the time could not make allowances for extra invertebrate personnel. Although her brother was the formal curator, she was responsible for the care of collections, record-keeping, reports, & catalog-entries. After 28 years of working with the museum, she was formally promoted to Assistant Curator. Many of the systems she implemented in this role are still used to this day. Mary Jane Rathbun formally retired in 1914. Unfortunately, she passed away on April 13th, 1943, at the age of 83. Her contributions to marine science were monumental, & her work will not be forgotten. In the words of Waldo L. Schmitt; "She was a remarkably gifted person. A small, neat woman, no more than four & a half feet in height, with plain, strong features, in conversation a most interesting & engaging personality, with a dry sense of humour, unobtrusively well endowed with the familial traits that had brought success to the men of her family — innate ability, originality of thought, initiative, & enterprise, assured the success she herself achieved within the field of carcinology." He is also quoted as remarking, "Words alone do not suffice express adequately my high regard for Miss Rathbun and her works, published or otherwise, my gratitude for all that she did for me, & my respect for her as a woman & a scientist." Her Achievements, Awards, & Accomplishments She published approximately 166 papers or publications across her career. She discovered approximately 1,147 species across her career, along with a superfamily, 3 families, a subfamily, & 63 genera. Directories / Credits No. 1: “Mary Jane Rathbun: All Hail the Crustacean Queen!”, Written by Heather Soulen, & Published on March 25th, 2021. Published by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/mary-jane-rathbun-hail-crustacean-queen No. 2: “Mary J. Rathbun”, Written by Waldo L. Schmitt, & Published on June 21st, 1971. Published by the National History Museum. https://decapoda.nhm.org/pdfs/27683/27683.pdf No. 3: “Record Unit 7256”, Compiled by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the Smithsonian Institution. https://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_arc_217413 No. 4: “Rathbun, Mary Jane (1860-1943)”, Written by Lucile McCain, & Waldo L Schmitt, & Published in 1973. Published by Harvard University. https://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/biographies/mary-jane-rathbun/ Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Olivenbaum Music Pitfire Artisan Pizza Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

A gorgeous Sarcastic Fringehead opening its jaws. This month's article series shall discuss Monterey Bay, California, United States Of America. Monterey Bay is located on the Monterey Peninsula in Northern California. It is also located against the Pacific Ocean, making it a prime spot for migrating whales. The bay is known for its historical sites, kayaking, museums, hiking, & the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Monterey Bay is approximately 25 miles across, & has many, many different kinds of marine features. Additionally, Monterey Bay is one of the few places in California where the sport of Abalone diving is permitted, & done. Since it is close to many metropolitan cities, & has many different museums, it is extremely popular among tourists. The bay with the city along it is also the capital in oceanic science, for both its environment, & the laboratories that are built along the coast. It has many historical sites as well, due to it functioning as the capital of Alta California under Spanish, & Mexican rule, & was founded in the year 1770. The bay is extremely biodiverse, & which makes it a favorite among marine creature watchers. The most popular of these creatures to watch are Sea Otters, California Sea Lions, Whales, & Dolphins. One of the less popular creatures for fair reason, is the Sarcastic Fringehead. The Sarcastic Fringehead is quite possibly the most peculiar-looking creature in the entirety of Monterey Bay. The reason for this is largely their mouth. Their mouth can open to be twice as large as their head, in a terrifying manner. They are also extremely temperamental creatures, & are rather violent. If a human were to enter their territory, they would open their mouth to reveal 2 rows of teeth. If the human does not surrender & retreat, the Sarcastic Fringehead will open & close its mouth in quick succession. As a human does not put their fingers near their mouths, they won’t attack. If they were larger, they most likely would attack, as their size seems to be the primary factor limiting their attacks on humans. In this article, we will discuss the Discovery & Life, the Mating Procedures, Practices, Cycles, Tactics, & Strategies, the Distribution, & the Scientific Detailings of the Sarcastic Fringehead. With that being said, let us delve into this otherworldly creature. The Discovery & Life Of The Sarcastic Fringehead The Sarcastic Fringehead was discovered & aptly named by Charles Frédéric Girard. It was described in the year 1858. The Sarcastic Fringehead can grow up to 30 centimeters, (11.811 inches) but usually only grow to 25.4 centimeters (10 inches). 300 grams (10.5822 ounces) is the average weight for individuals of both sexes in this species. On average, they will live to 6 years of age, but they can live longer. Unfortunately, the intelligence of this species is extremely understudied due to a lack of interest. They don’t seem to be able to distinguish between different humans, though, or be able to make decisions based upon past experiences. Sarcastic fringeheads typically don’t interact with humans unless humans enter their territory. They are extremely aggressive, as well as territorial. They will often challenge other fringe fish who visit their territories by unfurling their mouth as wide open as possible & see whose mouth is wider. Individuals are extremely solitary, & seem to dislike one another with a passion. Aside from mating, they don’t interact with each other. They seem to swim by propelling themselves forward with the use of their tail, & they keep themselves buoyant with swim bladders. Though their cruising speed is much lower, their maximum speed is 4 miles per hour. Sarcastic Fringeheads are fairly agile creatures, as they need to consume many squid eggs to survive. Even Sarcastic fringeheads require relaxing sleep, & typically sleep by floating in place, & keeping part of their brain awake to make sure that they don’t get consumed. They seem to be diurnal, meaning they hunt during the day, & sleep at night. Their diet largely consists of squid eggs, as eggs are very nutrient-dense. They tend to consume at least 13.6 times their body weight per year to stay alive. Information on their metabolic rate is unavailable as of publishing. They mainly locate food by sight & vibrational waves. Sharks are their primary threats, along with large fish. Usually, they have long brown bodies, with curved tales that have large ridged fins. Their massive mouths with pink & yellow lips unfurl to be twice the size of their heads. Typically they sport a green, red, or yellow mottled pattern on their skin as well. As of 2025, they are classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Listlist & have an Unknown population trend. The Mating Strategies, Procedures, Practices, Tactics, & Of The Sarcastic Fringehead The Sarcastic Fringehead breeds via sexual relations. Their breeding system seems to be polygamous, meaning that both sexes have multiple partners. This species has two distinct sexes, & is not hermaphroditic. \ Generally, they will breed from January to August. In breeding congregations, The males will compete for females' affection by seeing who has the largest mouth. The female shall observe, & carefully select her partner. Soon after, the new couple shall copulate. Once the female is ready to give birth, she will lay her eggs in a burrow for safekeeping. On average, she will lay 3,000 eggs. She will then swim off into the ocean, never to be seen again, while the father stays & guards the burrow. The father will guard these eggs until they are born, at which point he will leave. These eggs are up to 1.5 millimeters (0.0590551 inches) in diameter. The Distribution Of The Sarcastic Fringehead The Sarcastic Fringehead is only found from San Francisco, California to Baja California. They only inhabit the coastal zone, & have are rarely found deeper than 73 meters (239.501 feet). They tend to also only stay in places with rocky or sandy oceanic floors because finding places to burrow or places to live tends to be much easier in these areas They are also rarely found in areas that are less than 3 meters (9.84252 feet) deep. They do not seem to be migratory creatures, as their swimming is extremely erratic. Usually, they will live in containers that aren’t built by themselves, snail shells, & human debris are the most commonly used, as they are large & often in abundance. The larger the container is, the larger the Sarcastic Fringehead can fit into it. The Scientific Details Of The Sarcastic Fringehead Without a doubt, the most interesting feature of Sarcastic fringeheads is their strangely built mouth. This mouth is only possible due to the upper jaw bone being extremely long, which allows for flaring. They have 2 rows of sharp teeth in their mouth. Aside from their mouth, their main ways of sensing are through vibrations & chemical signals. Their reason for being called fringe heads is because of the tissue above their eyes, giving them a fringy appearance. Their phylum is Chordata, meaning that they developed these 5 characteristics all species under the phylum of Chordata develop 5 similar characteristics either In adulthood or as juveniles. The characteristics that they develop include a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, endostyle or thyroid, pharyngeal slits, & a post-anal tail. Their class is Actinopterygii, which means that they are ray-finned fish. This also means that their actinopterygian fin rays attach directly to the proximal or basal skeletal elements. This class comprises over 50% of living vertebrate species. Their order is Blenniformes. A universal trait of this order is that the tail fin is rounded, & the dorsal fin is continuous. Their family is Chaenopsidae. A characteristic of all the species in this family is that they all like to live in small tube-like structures. Their genus is Neoclinus. This genus has 11 species categorized under it. Their binomial name is Neoclinus Blanchardi. Directories / Credits Citation No. 1: “Neoclinus Blanchardi: Sarcastic Fringehead” Written by Jennie Southern & Published at an Unknown Date. Published By The Animal Diversity Web. Retrieval Date: October 13th, 2023. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Neoclinus_blanchardi/ Citation No. 2: “Sarcastic Fringehead Facts” Written By Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published By Fact Animal. Retrieval Date: October 13th, 2023. https://factanimal.com/sarcastic-fringehead/ Citation No. 3: “Sarcastic Fringehead”, Written By Unknown & Published at an Unknown Date. Published. By the International Union For Conservation Of Nature. Retrieval Date: October 13th, 2023. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/185133/1770082 Citation No. 4: “Sarcastic Fringehead: Neoclinus Blanchardi” Written by Unknown & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieval Date: October 13th, 2023. https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/sarcastic_fringehead Citation No. 5: “Sarcastic Fringehead” Written By Unknown & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by Our Breathing Planet. Retrieval Date: October 13th, 2023. https://www.ourbreathingplanet.com/sarcastic-fringehead/amp/ Citation No. 6: “Weird & Wonderful Creatures: The Sarcastic Fringehead” Written By Maya Inamura & Published on August 11th, 2014. Published by the American Association for the Advancement in Science. Retrieval Date: October 13th, 2023. https://www.aaas.org/news/weird-wonderful-creatures-sarcastic-fringehead Citation No. 7: “Neoclinus Blanchardi Girard, 1858” Written By Unknown & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by Fishbase. Retrieval Date: October 13th 2023. https://fishbase.mnhn.fr/summary/3740 Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast STEMScribe Cash Daniels Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

An idyllic photograph of a beach near Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico. Credit to We Love PV Travel. In this article, we shall be discussing the oceans surrounding Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico. Sayulita is a small resort town on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. It is located in the Nayarit state, & is just north of Banderas Bay. Their beaches are extremely popular amongst surfers, & have been popular for a long time. Additionally, the coastline is popular amongst snorkelers & scuba divers alike. Its proximity to Puerto Vallarta also helps with domestic tourism. The nightlife is extremely active, which is a very auttractive feature. Well known for its food, never ending parties, & wildlife, the city truly has something to offer to almost everyone. However, with all of these intriguing things to do, many often forget about the magnificent wildlife of Sayulita. Sayulita has many, many different creatures, from whales, to geckos, to land crabs. The landscape is vast, & unequivocally biodiverse. Approximately 300 bird species are found in the city, both near the coast & the mountains. The city is extremely popular amongst ecotourists for the reason, & for its jungles, white sand beaches, magnificent water falls, & clear waters. Sayulita directly borders the Pacific Ocean, on Mexicos western coast. The area is known to have a fairly strong tide, which as said prior, has attracted many surfers. The most popular surfing destinations next to the town, are Litibu Beach, La Lancha, Punta Burros, & San Pancho. In this article, we will discuss the salinity, tides, temperatures, marine geography, & depth of the oceans surrounding Sayulita, the most prominent marine ecosystems of Sayulita, the documented marine flora & fauna, & how ocean acidification & rising oceanic temperatures are affecting the oceans surrounding Sayulita. The Salinity, Tides, Temperatures, Marine Geography, & Depth Of The Oceans Surrounding Sayulita Unfortunately, the Salinity of the waters surrounding Sayulita is unmeasured. Salinity is measured in 1,000 gram water samples. For every 1000 grams of water there will be a certain number of grams that are pure salt. This measurement is called parts per thousand, or practical salinity units. This is the way that salinity is currently measured. The tidal charts for Sayulita may be found on a plethora of websites, including: https://www.swellinfo.com , https://www.surfline.com , https://www.tideschart.com , & finally https://seatemperature.info . Generally, the tide does not go over 1.93 meters (6.332021 feet) tall, & the tide does not go below -0.7  (-2.29659 feet) meters tall. The oceanic temperature charts may be found on similar websites, a few of which are: https://www.surf-forecast.com , https://seatemperature.net , https://www.tideschart.com , & finally https://seatemperature.info . The average yearly temperature is approximately 81.316666666667° Fahrenheit (27.3981481481483229° Celsius). Using this a wetsuit chart, there is no need for a wetsuit of any kind, as this is a very warm temperature. Sayulita is perfectly safe for swimming, with a low pollution rate. Occasionally, there are reports of contamination from sewage in certain areas, however it is specific to certain beaches, & the water quality is usually favourable. There is very low riptide around the city, & the beaches are relatively safe for swimmers. Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Surfing, & Kayaking are all extremely popular, & rental companies for these may be found all over the city. The ocean around Sayulita is generally very shallow, however we are unable to find any depth charts for it. There aren’t any nearby seamounts, or anything of such a nature. The primary composite material that makes up the ocean floor is sand. There are no designated marine protected areas close by Sayulita. The Most Prominent Marine Ecosystems Of Sayulita Ecosystem Type No. 1: Intertidal Zones Intertidal zones are located along the coastlines, & are exposed to air at low tide. These zones are where the ocean meets the shoreline, & contrary to popular perception, are absolutely teeming with oceanic life. From crabs to bivalves, this ecosystem has a unique variety of marine life, as well as a unique variety of features. These zones generally have species from the phyla Echinodermata, Arthropoda, & Mollusca in them. Additionally, these zones may have tide pools. Ecosystem Type No. 2: Fringing Coral Reefs As of 2026, there are multiple fringing coral reefs around the city, all of which contain warm water coral. Coral reefs are considered to be on of the main hubs for all marine life, & used for practically everything. Coral reefs are mass structures of coral polyps, typically located along the ocean floor. These coral reefs act as a breeding ground, hunting ground, spawning ground, & shelter. There are various different kinds of coral reefs, the most important of which are atoll, barrier, & fringing. The coral reefs of Sayulita are fringing, meaning that they grow directly against the shoreline, with a shallow water barrier. The coral reefs of Sayulita are shallow, & are positively enraptured with marine life. It is unfortunately not clear what species of coral inhabit the area. Ecosystem Type No. 3: Mangrove Forests Along the coasts of the island, Coastal Mangrove forests can be found. Coastal mangrove forests are a particular kind of forest, that adorn the shoreline of the island. These forests are incredibly important to biodiversity, for terrestrial, oceanic, & avian creatures. The forest provides shelter, food, & a spawning ground for many different species. These mangrove forests are found farther to the south of Sayulita. Unfortunately, due to lack of accessible information, it is unclear what mangrove tree species are found in the area. The Documented Marine Flora Of Sayulita Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm what marine flora live around Sayulita. The Documented Marine Fauna Of Sayulita Sayulita is without a doubt an extremely biodiverse area. Sayulita has many coral reefs, making it an especially attractive area to most marine animals. The most prominent marine creatures are the Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead Turtle), Lepidochelys Olivecea (Olive Ridley Sea Turtle) Megaptera Novaeangliae (Humpback Whale), & a few different Dolphin Species. How Ocean Acidification & Rising Oceanic Temperatures Are Affecting The Oceans Surrounding Sayulita Ocean acidification is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased, largely because of human-caused burning of fossil fuels, & deforestation, for the past 150 years.  When carbon dioxide contacts sea water, it forms carbonic acid.  Carbonic acid gives off positive H+ ions, which causes increased oceanic H+ concentrations & decreased oceanic Ph. When the ocean has decreased Ph, it effectively acidifies. When this happens, it causes conditions that will eat at the shells of bivalves, stress out & eventually bleach coral, & utterly destroy seagrass patches. As of 2026, it is unclear whether or not Ocean Acidification is having an impact on Sayulita, however if this negative trend continues, the effects could be devastating. As for Rising Oceanic Temperatures, this is actively effecting Sayulita. The warm water coral reefs cannot handle these rapidly rising temperatures, & are becoming extremely stressed out. When they become stressed out, they expel algae that live in the polyps tissue, causing the coral to bleach & die. There have been mass coral bleaching events around this area already, & if temperatures continue to rise, an uninviting future will emerge. A photograph of a the verdant Mexican Coastline near Sayulita. Credit to https://www.melodijolola.com . Directories / Credits Citation No. 1: “ Wetsuit thickness & temperature guide ”, Written By Mark Evans, & Published On April 24th, 2023, at 3:05 PM. Published By Scuba Divers Magazine. Retrieval Date: March 19th, 2024. https://www.scubadivermag.com/wetsuit-thickness-and-temperature-guide/#Scuba_diving_wetsuits Citation No. 2: “Sayulita Mexico’s Wildlife: Guide To Exotic Fauna & Sightings”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by Sayulita Life. Retrieval Date: March 20th, 2024. https://www.sayulitalife.com/sayulita-birds-wildlife Citation No. 3: “Sayulita: A Whale & Dolphin Paradise” Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by Sayulita Life. Retrieval Date: March 20th, 2024. https://www.sayulitalife.com/whale-watching Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Pitfire Artisan Pizza Olivenbaum Music Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

A vibrant photograph of today’s interviewee, marine biologist, urchin diver, & sustainable seagood proprietor, Stephanie Mutz. Credit to Paul Wellman. Recently, we were fantastically fortunate to sit down for an interview with marine biologist, scuba diver, sustainable seafood proprietor, & the only female urchin diver in California, Stephanie Mutz! Stephanie Mutz is an extraordinary urchin diver, sustainable seafood proprietor, & marine researcher from California. She is well known for her sustainable seafood company, Sea Stephanie Fish, a clever play on words. She supplies premium, fresh urchin, black cod, snapper, scallops, California spiny lobster, mussels, & a variety of other Pacific seafood. In today’s interview, we sit down with Stephanie to discuss her work in sustainable seafood, her passion for marine life, her early career as a marine researcher, what drove her to enter sustainable fisheries, & her advice for young marine scientists, fishermen, & ocean professionals, in a comprehensive 17-question interview. Before delving into today’s interview, please note everything said has been edited for clarity, & that the opinions of our interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views & values of our organization. With that being said, let us delve into the contents of the interview! The Contents Of The Interview Questions About Her Passion: 1. What sparked your passion for the ocean, & marine science? I just grew up around it. I grew up in Newport Beach, I was the kid who rode her bike everywhere. I was at the beach every day, & had to come home when the streetlights came on. It’s all that I know. I needed to figure out how to make a living out of it, so I figured out a couple of ways, with commercial fishing, & in a past life I was a marine biologist & researcher. I’ve always been surrounded by the sea, in 40-something years of my entire life, the longest I’ve been away from the ocean was 2 months when I was traveling through South America. 2. What sparked your passion for Scuba Diving? Technically, for urchin diving, I am hookah diving. The difference between scuba diving & hookah diving is that in scuba, you have the tank on your back, & in hookah, the tank is on my boat, then I have a big long hose. The same rules for breathing compressed air, & dive tables. It’s the same except for where the tanks are. I’ve got more time, & less chance, or pretty much no chance of running out of air as long as the compressor is running. I guess one of the things is that diving led to a job that I didn’t have to sit at a desk all day for, & I could be in the ocean! It became very comfortable right away, there was no working at it for me. I’ve always been extremely comfortable in the ocean, & extremely comfortable underwater. That’s a very important aspect to have, you need to have that comfort level. It's kind of second nature to me, I definitely say that I function better underwater than I do on land a lot of times. 3. What is your favourite terrestrial, or marine animal personally, & what is your favourite marine or terrestrial animal that you have worked on? A terrestrial animal would be an elephant, they’re just gentle giants, unless you piss them off. There are not very many of them, & they’re social, although I’m not that social. Maybe I’m a little envious of it, I’m not sure. The favourite animal that I’ve ever worked with, I mean, obviously I’m sure biased, but it’s got to be the sea urchin. When I was an undergrad in college at UCSB my senior thesis project was on the food preferences of sea urchins. I had no idea I would be in the commercial diving industry at that point, I wanted to be a researcher. That was pretty much my first project, or species, that I worked on that was mine. I often worked for other people before my senior year of college, in other laboratories & stuff. I guess I still study urchins now. I still observe patterns, & pay a lot of attention to water temperature, water quality, & all those things in order to make a living at this, & make sure their species endures. I love what I do, & I want other people to do this when I’m done. If I’m ever done! 4. What sparked your passion for urchin-fishing? Diving is what I know, I’m comfortable with it. I’d like to paint this picture of when I had just finished grad school, but my thesis wasn’t done yet. Essentially, I turned in my thesis, & I went to grad school in Australia, at James Cook University, & they do things a bit differently there than they do in the United States. In the US, you defend your thesis, you give this presentation, you turn in this book that is your thesis, your committee signs off on it, & you have your degree. In Australia, you do all of those things, your committee signs off on it, & it goes to 3 external reviewers to basically he peer reviewed by people in your field. Being a researcher, you have a pretty full plate already, then this book comes to your desk & you have to review it. It did not come back in a timely manner, so technically I couldn’t start teaching yet because I didn’t exactly have my degree. I came back to Santa Barbara, & I needed a job, & at that point, you needed about five jobs. That led me to get into fisheries politics. I was freelancing, & essentially representing fishermen for marine protected area meetings & similar policy things. Then, I also began bartending at Peabody’s for people who know old school Santa Barbara. I was very interested in urchin diving, I wanted to start fishing on boats so that I could have more knowledge of who I’m representing & what I’m representing. I could go to meetings, & instead of saying I represent fishermen, now I am a fisherman, & can have a somewhat knowledgeable conversation with these policy makers. I ended up loving it! The first guy that I worked with, George Hawkins, I still dive with today. I suppose he dives with me now, & dives with my business. I’ve participated in many fisheries, but I mostly focus on sea urchins, & spiny lobsters now. I used to do a little bit of everything, & realized that I was doing everything halfway, & it’s better if I focus on a couple of things & learn to be good at those. Part of my business is to buy seafood from other fishermen, to have a variety of seafood products available to my customers. A mouthwatering urchin caught by diver Stephanie Mutz. Credit to Stephanie Mutz. Questions About Her Career: 5. What university did you attend for your undergraduate degree, & was there any particular reason? I went to UC Santa Barbara for their marine biology program. I knew what I wanted to do. When I was 12, my dad asked me, “What do you want to do when you grow up?”, & I said “I don’t know. I just don’t want to wear pantyhose & sit at a desk”. So far so good! I remember my uncle’s wife at the time, who worked in high school education, told me that I should apply to UCSB for a major that’s not popular, then I can get in & change my major. I’m a bit stubborn, I’m much like my mom, & I said “No, I want to go there for marine biology.” I didn’t get in at first, & I was just going to go to the local city college in Newport, in Orange County. It’s something for young people to hear, this is a good story. I petitioned their decision, & I wrote a letter to reconsider. I am diagnosed with ADD as well as Dyslexia, & I asked them to take all of these things into consideration. I distinctly remember the phone call, they asked “Do you want to go to UCSB?”, & I said “Yeah, I do.” I still had the assignment for my place in the dorms as they had not dropped me for that yet. I got in, & started freshman year. I finished in 4 years, which is beginning to be difficult. I’ve heard that it is more difficult to do in 4 years now, I don’t know if I’m wrong about that. I worked in many laboratories, & worked in French Polynesia for a few years. That is where I got my start in research diving. I did a lot of diving on the coast here in California, from Oregon all the way down to Mexico. I surveyed the ocean, you know, fish, invertebrates, sea life, everything. It’s actually really, really fun now. 6. What university did you attend for your master’s degree, & was there any particular reason? I’d been to Australia a couple of times already & loved it. Loved being there, loved visiting there. I worked under J. Howard Choat, who’s the best tropical marine ecologist in the world. He made it very clear that he didn’t accept me for my grades. I was a very solid B student in college, he took me because of all of my experience, & the people I’ve worked with. He didn’t have to babysit me with field work. One of the big reasons that I went was that I thought I was going to save money, because when I was there earlier, the US dollar was so strong compared to the Australian dollar. I could save money by going to grad school there. Well, John Howard was the prime minister, & he did great things for the Australian economy, so it was one to one the entire time I was there. I had enough money for tuition for the first year, & I proved myself by collecting data. I ended up collecting a lot of data for J. Howard Choat for his research, & that essentially paid for mine as well. We worked on the same habitat, so I would collect both of our data together, then process all of the information. I also TA’d, so that got my tuition paid for. So I got all my research paid for, & my tuition paid for. I ended up leaving grad school with 15,000$ debt, which I thought was pretty good. 7. Although your primary work relates to fisheries nowadays, part of your early career was spent conducting research in the field of marine science. What was the first research project that you were involved with, & what was your research centered around? I can’t remember which, I was working at two different labs at the same time, & both do similar things. One was a laboratory called PISCO (Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans), & the other was called LTER (Long-Term Ecological Research Network). Both of these labs were long-term ecological research programs, which were essentially data collection at the same spot for many years. A lot of what I did was taking inventory, & I started working at first with the intertidal. After I got my research diving certification, I moved underwater, & began surveying things underwater & doing things near the Channel Islands. I took inventory of everything, ran transects, quadrants, counted fish, all that stuff. Eventually, I went to the tropics & worked there for a couple of years, essentially working on damselfish mostly, & a bit of coral restoration as well. You don’t focus on one single thing, you write a grant to explore everything in that habitat. I was very capable, and I learned my species identification well. Good attitude is a quality that you’ve got to have in order to work that way, & flexibility. It was a great job to have while I was an undergrad. 8. What did you enjoy about commercial fishing & the seafood industry? That’s different every day. That’s a good & bad thing. It’s super challenging, & it’s super rewarding because I’m feeding people. I’m feeding people in a responsible way, with good quality fish. I have pride in the quality that I catch & that I supply. Any person can pick a spiny ball off the bottom of the ocean, but I have to make sure it’s good quality inside & I’m not wasting a resource. There are some indicators that you can use to ensure quality. Also, I love the relationships that I have with my chefs, & my customers. I love geeking out on how to prepare seafood, & some of my customers love to talk about diving. I don’t like to talk about diving too much, we have a little joke that urchin divers hate diving. We don’t, we’re not avid divers, & have all the tools, & just do it. It’s like second nature to us, we don’t need to talk about it, but you entertain your customers who may want to geek out about it. Most of my chefs have become very close, good friends. I’ve worked with many of them for 10+ years. With my direct marketing, I don’t sell to another distributor, I am the distributor. I distribute myself to restaurants, to retail, & my face is behind it. I have a responsibility to provide the best available responsibly. This year, 2026, is going to be 20 years as a commercial fisherman. It’s still nothing compared to some of the great legends that I get to work with every day as well. My mentors have been doing it for twice as long, & more, which is awesome. 9. How did you found your sustainable seafood company, “Sea Stephanie Fish”? What was your experience in founding it? I came up with the name through my best friend’s dad. My best friend’s dad growing up came up with it while we were drinking beers at Paradise Store, which is no longer, up at San Marcos Pass in Santa Barbara. I didn’t know anything about sales, all my education about marketing is from experience, seeing what sticks & what doesn’t. I knew I needed a brand, & that I needed a name. My dad suggested having my name in it so that everyone remembers my name. I started cold calling chefs, I would go to the back of restaurants with a bucket of urchin. I hated it, the chefs were so mean! “What do you want little girl?!” “What are you doing in my kitchen?!” “I have urchin…” “Why didn’t you say so?! Get over here!” Some told me to get out, but most ended up being great! I’ve become great friends with them, & it’s so fun to see our restaurants & both our livelihoods grow together. I’m a slow grower, I started with a super small boat, & I started on somebody else’s boat. Then I got my own little Panga, then a little aluminum skiff. Then I graduated to big girl pants, with the Radon. I had a business partner for a bit that I shared markets with, & we grew apart, & ended up amicably splitting. I’ve been growing a team since then, because I’ve definitely gotten too big for my own britches to do it all on my own. I’ve got drivers, deckhands, people who help distribute & do everyday things that I do. I’m very fortunate, I had & have some great people working with me. I see them, I acknowledge them, they are a reason I’m where I am. It’s not just me. As hard as it is to manage people, it’s definitely easier to manage urchins. A photograph of Stephanie Mutz on her boat, out on the Pacific, with a net filled with urchins & kelp. Credit to Fran Collin. 10. What kinds of seafood do you sell, & what are your most popular products? Everything, I have relationships with the fishermen. It’s all seasonal obviously. We’ll do mussels from Hope Ranch, & abalone from The Cultured Abalone at Gaviota. We have rockfish, black cod, halibut, & tuna, with tuna mostly from Southern California. We’ve got whelks, rock crabs, spider crabs, lobster, & ridgeback shrimp. I’ve got a great relationship with someone fishermen in Alaska for salmon, because we don’t have a salmon season. We haven’t had a salmon season in a few years. They’ll put it on a plane & they’ll come into Santa Barbara Airport the next day, or the same day. They’re not alive, but they’re fresh. I need to have a relationship with a fisherman. My relationships are not just with customers & chefs, but also with fishermen. I figured it out quite early that chefs didn’t want seafood from eight different people, they wanted it to be more consolidated. I understood that, I understood the assignment, & then I got my friends to come join. 11. How would you describe urchins to those who do not have experience with them both in taste, physical description, & ecology? Sea urchin is an animal, an animal with no eyes. It’s got little two feet or something called the podia that they “walk with”, & also kind of breathe with. They do have a mouth, it is called Aristotle’s Lantern, because Aristotle described it as looking like a street lantern in one of his books. I think it was called Animals . They want to live on rocky reefs, preferably with kelp, their favourite food is Macrocystis (Giant Kelp), which I learned about when I was 17 years old at UCSB in my senior thesis. It also affects their taste, sea urchins are what they eat. If they're eating sweet Macrocystis, they are going to taste sweet, if they are eating something bitter, they are also going to taste bitter. Sometimes, there are warm water events which will come, & I’ll see them with a tuna crab hanging out of their mouth. If there are squid eggs at a certain site, I’m not going to pick there, I’m going to pick somewhere else, because they’re going to taste super bitter. Especially if they are eating squid eggs, you can totally smell it, & it smells super disgusting. I remember one time in particular, it was a warm water event, which was probably 10+ years ago. I got these urchins from super shallow waters, like 10 feet, & because they were so shallow & it was so warm, another kind of algae grew, & they were eating this algae. I remember one of my chefs was Sam Baxter from Connie & Ted’s, & he tastes every single urchin that goes out to the table as quality control. He tells me that all the urchins were so bitter. The colour, & freshness were perfect, but they were so bitter. So I went back to that spot, & sure enough, there’s this little algae that I wasn’t paying attention to, growing there. Now if I ever see that algae, I won’t pick urchin there. I’m giving you examples where they don’t taste very good, but most of the time they taste good. As you know, they’re sweet, they’ve got a salty umami flavour. My favourite thing about them is that they evolve in your mouth. You take a bit, & they could be super salty at first, then they turn sweet, then a little umami, then back to sweet again. It’s this evolution. I call it a party in your mouth. I’m obviously a bit biased, but I think California Urchin does that the most. 12. What does a typical day for you consist of? I leave the harbour at about six, & it takes me 2+ hours to get to the diving spot in the Northern Channel Islands. On ideal days, we don’t have to move the boat. We stay in one spot, & there’s enough good quality urchin there, & it’s a good day. We stay there & pick urchins until we get what we need. I’ll pick as much as I can sell, & leave the rest for later. That’s an ideal day if I can get enough for the markets. I’ll go once or twice per week. Sometimes I’ll go more, I’ve gotten pretty good at my job to the point where I can focus on distribution, & communication with clients. Sometimes, we’ll leave urchins hanging from the boat for the market the next day. If I don’t use them for a couple more days, then I’ll have a mooring outside the harbour, hang them in bags, & they’ll stay alive for a week or two. It’s nice to plan around the weather. There was a storm last week, I had quite a few hundred hanging from the mooring, & they all survived quite well, I knew they would because I’ve done it before. I’ve definitely killed a lot of urchins to figure it out in the last 20 years. I’ll deliver on the way home, I mostly distribute to Santa Barbara & the Santa Ynez Valley. Then the next day I’ll have a driver drive all the way to Los Angeles, & then to Orange County. We FedEx seafood all over as well. Wednesdays are a big market day, our biggest market day. Wednesdays & Saturdays. It gives us enough time during the week to collect our seafood from the ocean, & it’s there for the weekend. We distribute on Saturdays for people who need it twice a week. We have a retail market as well. We did it every week during the pandemic. The pandemic for us, market-wise, was a success! We were all restaurants at first, then the restaurants went away overnight. I remember Michael Cimarusti from Providence calls me, & says “We’re done.” What does this mean? I told my people, I’m going to pay you for a month, but get your affairs in order. I didn’t quite understand what was happening, but in the back of my mind, I was thinking to myself “Somebody could do really well in this situation.” Obviously, it was a horrible thing, but there were opportunities there. I learned quickly, & we jumped right into retail markets. You order online on a Wednesday on our website, then you have until Friday morning, or until we sell out of something. Then you pick it up, you have an hour to pick it up. One weekend will be in Orange County, then the next weekend will be in the Bay Area. We have four different spots in the Bay Area that you can pick up from, & then you take it home to eat. During the pandemic, I got a lot of chefs to make videos of how to cook urchin, & how to prepare all these dishes with seafood. A normal person doesn't eat seafood at home, but they did during the pandemic! They had plenty of time to learn. We're still doing really well market-wise, & I understand the value of diverse markets. We still do retail, but we focus mostly on restaurants, & wholesale markets. 13. What courses do you teach about science at Ventura County College in Southern California? At Ventura College, I teach environmental science. I used to teach general biology, but I evolved away from that. I wanted to teach fewer courses, but I didn't have the time for it. Environmental science is an introductory class meaning everybody can take it, it's all online. My administration team supports me as a professor, so I really, really enjoy it. So long as that keeps on, I'll keep on teaching. Students have changed a lot in 20 years, quite a lot. Entitlement is there, & present, absolutely. Students don't want to learn, they just want a grade. This has stemmed from the No Child Left Behind Law passed many years ago. The high school teachers just pass them even though they don't do their work. Then I get them, & they don't do their work, & they say, "I have a zero.", & I have to respond, "Well, you didn't do the work!", & they're shocked about it! My favourite thing in the world now is Chat GPT, so I'm not teaching, I'm just trying to figure out if they're cheating or not. It's not fun. I have only a handful of students who want to learn, give great feedback, & want to participate. 14. What has been your biggest triumph or proudest moment across your career? I essentially have 2 careers. With teaching, my proudest moment is when a student doesn't finish a class, or doesn't pass my class, then they come back, & say "I wasn't ready, but I am now.", then they pass my class. When they drop out, or when they don't do well, I always think "What did I do wrong?". Part of it is, if you don't do your work, I can't help you. They admit they weren't ready, they know they are ready now, & then they pass the class. Maybe they weren’t mature enough, or were in a bad place at the time. Yet, they’re ready now, & I get to see them succeed. That’s so rewarding as a professor. I think what’s rewarding for me as a fisherman is to be able to accomplish the near impossible. Whether it's fishing in bad conditions, or something breaks & I end up fixing it or figuring it out in the middle of the ocean, & we still get the work done. I definitely have the attitude & the mindset of everything’s possible, & I try to instill this in my students & employees. There’s always a way. There’s always a solution. It may not be your first attempt, but there is always a fix for everything. You've got to try, & maybe the outcome will not be the way you expected, but it was some kind of a solution. To the chefs who are asking for the impossible, or the near impossible, “Can we get this seafood across the country by 7:00 AM tomorrow?”, & I’m like “If you can go to the airport to get it, yeah.” I figured out how to do that. A lot of it is having connections, & good relationships with the people you know. I think it’s most rewarding to do the almost impossible. I don’t go to policy meetings anymore, I ask “What is this regulation doing now?”, I’ll work around it. Just tell me what the deal is & I’ll work around it. I don’t deal with policy stuff anymore, it’s a waste of my time. If I’m not fishing, I’m not making any money. The more meetings you have, the less time you get to fish. That’s my favourite thing to do in the whole wide world. So why deprive myself of that, especially with some dumb meeting? 15. I’m sure that you have faced just as many challenges & setbacks as you have leaps forward, what has been the biggest hurdle or challenge that you have faced across your career, & how did you overcome it? I do have to admit something. I definitely have had so many challenges & setbacks, but there’d definitely be more going forward than going back. I wouldn’t say it is 50/50. I’m still growing, I’m still learning, I’m still moving forward. We all are. I’d say there’s more moving forward than back. Things that take me back, honestly, one of the hardest things is a dead loss of some sort. It got contaminated somehow, a refrigerator went down or the weather destroyed it, something like that. The resource got wasted. Sometimes you have to do that to learn. I mean, all the setbacks you have, you learn from them, or else you’re not going to learn forward. There are a few occasions where I’ve had theft or deception from other humans, & that’s always a big bummer, you take it personally. Even a chef wants to try to discredit you just because they have something going on with themselves. If one of my employees makes a mistake, I’ll explain it to them. I’m a very direct person. They know this by now, I’m not mad at them, I’m just trying not to waste time & to figure out how it won’t happen again. 16. What is your advice for new urchin divers, marine biologists, or fisheries workers? There’s always a solution. There’s always a solution. If you have to petition your college entry, if you have to watch YouTube on how to work on your boat engine for you to go to work, if you have a chef asking you an impossible thing, there’s always some kind of solution. I’m a big fan of that. You've got to want to love it. Honestly, you've got to love what you do & everything else will fall into place. You've got to love what you do. You can’t just do it for the money, you can’t do it for anything else but really, genuinely loving what you do. 17. Do you have any final words about your work, the kelp forests of California, urchin diving, marine biology, or sustainable fisheries? One thing I want to say about kelp forests; It’s cyclical. It’s cyclical. It comes & goes, & it has been coming & going for a gazillion years. We need to you know, help with the preservation of it. Our waters are a lot warmer than they used to be, & that’s affecting the kelp beds, but be careful when somebody says “The ocean’s dead.” It’s more resilient than us, keep that in perspective. A delightful photograph of Stephanie Mutz holding an appetizing urchin. Credit to photographer Ben Scorah. Directories / Credits https://www.seastephaniefish.com Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Olivenbaum Music Pitfire Artisan Pizza Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

One of the earliest photographs of the Pacific Ocean  was  taken in 1909. This photograph was taken along the rocky coastline of Monterey, California—Credit to Revive Salvage. Today’s nautical chart is an ancient, 354-year-old map of the Pacific Ocean, by the English. This map is of incredible historical importance, as it is the first map of the Pacific Ocean created by the English. The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on planet Earth, & was unknown to many Europeans until Vasco de Núñez Balboa discovered the Isthmus of Panama in 1513, & consequently, the Pacific Ocean. It was not understood in its full vastness, until Ferdinand Magellan & his men crossed the Pacific in 1521. The map is fairly small, at 21 inches long by 17 inches wide. It does appear to some to have mild flaws, including small staining & toning in the center. Uncommonly for the time, the map has a variety of vivid colours. Along the shoreline, a bright yellow colour to differentiate between the ocean & the land, a blue colour can be seen along the coast, a purple can be seen on a figureheads robe in the upper right corner, a red can be seen on a figureheads hat, an orange can be seen outlining the title, & greens can be seen in various places throughout the chart. In this article, we are going to discuss this primeval map, & perform an analysis of it. With that being said, let us delve into this archaic nautical chart! The Chart As discussed in the introduction, this chart is focused on the Pacific Ocean, & showcases parts of Western South America, Western North America, Japan, New Zealand, & Tasmania, also known as Van Diemen’s Land. The Pacific Ocean is referred to as “Mare Pacificum”, which means “peaceful sea”, in Latin, on the chart. The chart showcases dozens of place names, from Point Conception, California, to Sand Hills, New Zealand. It refers to New Zealand as States Island, & remarks on its then recent discovery date of 1642. One interesting thing that the chart showcases is the now disproven “Island California”, theory. For hundreds of years from the 1500’s, to the 1700’s, California was shown as an island, unattached from North America. This began with a map by Diego Gutiérrez published in 1562, & continued until 1747 when King Ferdinand VII of Spain issued a decree stating California was attached to North America. Apart from minor marks near the center, the chart is in stunning condition for its age. An Analysis Of The Chart This chart was manufactured in 1627 by English Cartographer & Hydrographer John Seller. He was one of the most influential & illustrious cartographers of his time, & was well known for his oceanic works. He was born in London in 1632 to a family of cordwainers, which is a kind of shoemaker. Upon coming of age, he apprenticed with Edward Lowe, before leaving in 1654, & joining the Clockmaker’s Company. Although he began as a compass, & clock maker, & expanded his skillset to include cartography, as well as hydrography. His career was abruptly interrupted when he was accused of being a conspirator in a High Treason plot led by nobleman Thomas Tonge. Whether he repeated rumours, was involved with the wrong people, or was completely unaware is unclear. What is clear however, is that he was convicted of treason, & held in Newgate Prison. While other conspirators were executed due to admission of guilt, he held his innocence steadfast, & through persistence, managed to convince the government to release him. Upon his release, he went on to become one of the most influential hydrographers in England, even being named Hydrographer to the King. In addition to this, his 2 sons, John & Jeremiah Seller, would go on to pursue cartography, following in their father’s footsteps. This chart was likely manufactured for civilian merchant purposes, particularly merchants looking to commercialize the newly discovered Pacific. Considering the age of the map, it was most likely manufactured using the engraving method. In this technique, there are 4 roles, the mapmaker, the engraver, the printer, & the colourist. The first step in this process is that the mapmaker will go out & make a hand-drawn map of the area where the map will encompass. Effectively, the mapmaker is the informant who makes the first copy. After this, the engraver will create a design of the map in reverse on a metal, usually copper, surface. Usually, there would only be 1-2 plates used, however, it differs depending on the size of the map. After the copper plate is made, the printer will heat the copper panel, & then proceed to lather it with ink. They will then wipe the copper panel down to the point where the ink is only on the grooves of the panel. Thereafter, the printer will press damp paper onto the ink, & hang it up to dry. To conclude, the colourist will touch up the map & decorate it by adding in details, such as shorelines & shoals. The result should be a detailed chart with colour, & depth, useful to any sailor of the era traversing the high seas. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Rare Maps, a California rare & antique maps store. To purchase this chart, antique atlases, or other cartographic objects, please visit www.raremaps.com . To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Rare Maps, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Pitfire Artisan Pizza Olivenbaum Music Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

A photograph of an Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. Credit to the Fitzroy Basin Association. This month’s article series will be discussing the mysterious & tropical, Sayulita, Mexico. Sayulita is a small resort town on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. It is located in the Nayarit state, & is just north of Banderas Bay. Their beaches are extremely popular amongst surfers, & have been popular for a long time. Additionally, the coastline is popular amongst snorkelers & scuba divers alike. Its proximity to Puerto Vallarta also helps with domestic tourism. The nightlife is extremely active, which is a very auttractive feature. Well known for its food, never ending parties, & wildlife, the city truly has something to offer to almost everyone. However, with all of these intriguing things to do, many often forget about the magnificent wildlife of Sayulita. Sayulita has many, many different creatures, from whales, to geckos, to land crabs. The landscape is vast, & unequivocally biodiverse. Approximately 300 bird species are found in the city, both near the coast & the mountains. However, some of the true stars of the city, are the turtles. 2 species of turtle inhabit the area, those being the Loggerhead Turtle, whom we covered in a previous article, & the Olive Ridley Turtle. The Olive Ridley Turtle is a small species of oceanic turtle, found in the pacific ocean. They are considered to be one of the most abundant sea turtle species on earth, despite their massive historical population decline. Their common name comes from their olive coloured shell, that just so happens to be heart shaped. It is the second smallest sea turtle on Earth. This species inhabits practically all tropical, & subtropical waters. Their range includes the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, & the Atlantic Ocean. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle is a close relative of this species, with the Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle being the only other sea turtle in the Lepidochelys Genus.  In this article we will discuss the discovery & life of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, the mating techniques, tactics, practices, procedures, habits & strategies of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, the distribution of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, & the scientific detailings of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. With that, let us delve into the most abundant sea turtle on Earth. Surfers enjoying Sayulita’s vast blue waters. Credit to Jonny Melon. The Discovery & Life Of The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle The Olive Ridley Turtle was discovered in the year 1829, by Johann Friedrich Von Eschscholtz, a German botanist, entomologist, & naturalist. This species ranges from 24 to 28 inches in length. Adult individuals weigh between 75, & 110 pounds. As of 2025, their life span is unknown, however it is estimated to be between 30 & 50 years. The Intelligence of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is unmeasured, as there are no studies around it. It is not clear how long the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle has existed as a species. As the Olive Ridley Turtle is a Cheloniid turtle, they are no more then 72 million years old. Individuals are generally docile, & will rarely attack even if provoked. Sea Turtle bites are non-lethal, so if a human is bit, they have little to worry about. The Olive Ridley Turtle is not territorial at all, & is very migratory. Generally, they are solitary, & have very loose social structures. Due to their timid natures, they won’t interact with humans unless they absolutely have to. Olive Ridley Sea Turtles are extremely agile creatures, & are able to navigate both the water column, & land with ease. They are aided in this by their graceful flippers. These flippers don’t just function as steers, & actually propel them through the water, while their back flippers assist with steering. This species maintains its buoyancy by controlling the amount of air it intakes when it is on the surface. Depending on the needs of each dive, the turtle will intake a certain amount of air. Individuals will sleep by either wedging themselves between coral or rock, or finding a restful place along the ocean floor. Once comfortable, they will not go up to the surface for air until they awake. They will sleep for 2 to 7 hour periods, depending on the circumstances. Their diet is similar to other sea turtles, & consists largely of algae, crab, lobster, tunicates, & shelled molluscs. They are not cannibalistic at any stage in their development. Individuals locate food by sight, & feeling vibration. This species is diurnal in nature, meaning that they hunt & are mainly awake during the day. Unfortunately, It is unclear how much one individual eats per day, & what the metabolic rate of this species is.  On land, the primary predators of sea turtles are feral pigs, raccoons coyotes, birds, & occasionally large crabs. In the ocean, their primary predators are sharks of various species. Olive Ridley Sea Turtles have a yellow or green carapace, that typically has algae. With 4 flippers, each flippers have 1 or 2 claws. They have very small heads, & muscular flippers. As of 2026, they are categorized as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. Their population is at least 800,000, & possibly upwards of 1 million. Their population was at an all time low in the 1980’s, reaching as low as 200 individuals. They were placed on the endangered species list in 1978, & with some conservation, their population recovered beautifully. The Mating Techniques, Tactics, Practices, Procedures, Habits, & Strategies Of The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle breeds via Sexual Reproduction. There are 2 sexes in this species, & individuals are not naturally hermaphroditic. Their mating system is polyamorous, meaning that both sexes take multiple partners each breeding season. Both sexes will reach reproductive maturity at 14 to 15 years of age. It does not appear that they have a specific breeding season, & females breed once or twice per year. Once 2 individuals initiate copulation, the male will transfer sperm to the female, which she will store until she is ready to fertilize her eggs. Once she is ready, she will swim to a beach, & begin nesting. She will use her back flippers to dig a small hole in the sand, & lay her eggs for 1 to 4 hours. The average clutch size is 100 eggs. She will nest at the same beach every single year. Many other females will nest with her, in a massive nesting congregation. Once she is finished, she will inch back into the water, & have no part in her hatchlings upbringing. Approximately 90% of these hatchlings will be eaten in either the egg stage or in the first few days of their lives, & extremely few of them will be able to live out their full life span. The Distribution Of The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle is found in the tropical areas of the Pacific, Atlantic, & Indian Ocean. Individuals prefer warm water, & seem to dislike any water below 50° Fahrenheit (10° Celsius). They are extremely migratory creatures, & will not spend more then a year in one area. The Scientific Detailings Of The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle By far, the most intriguing feature of this species is its unique carapace. The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle has a small heart shaped carapace. Unlike their terrestrial counterparts, their limbs & head are fixed to the outside of their shell, meaning that they cannot retract inwards. This carapace is made up of approximately 50 different bones. We could not find any fossils attributed to the Olive Ridley Turtle. As for their most common parasites, fungus from the genera Aspergillus, Gliocladium, Fusarium, & Geotrichum are known to infest these turtles. Sea Turtles in general do not have teeth, & instead use their extremely strong beaks to crush their prey & eat it. Their phylum is Chordata, meaning that they developed these 5 characteristics all species under the phylum of chordata develop 5 similar characteristics either In adulthood or as juveniles. The characteristics that they develop include, a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, endostyle or thyroid, pharyngeal Slits, & a post-anal tail. Their class is Reptilia, meaning that they are cold blooded, which is a universal characteristic of all Reptilians. There are approximately 10,000 extant reptilian species at the time of publishing. Their order is Testudines, which is the order that all turtles are classified under. A universal characteristic of all species under this order is that they breathe air, & don’t lay eggs underwater. Approximately 300 extant species are categorized under this order. Their family is Cheloniidae, which consists of 6 species. Cheloniidae is the only group of sea turtles to have stronger front flippers then their back flippers. Their genus is Lepidochelys. Lepidochelys is a small genus, consisting of only 2 species. This species binomial name is Lepidochelys Olivacea. A charming photograph of a friendly Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Credit to Solvin Zankl. Directories / Credits Citation No. 1: “Olive Ridley Turtle: Lepidochelys Olivacea”, Written By Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. Retrieval Date: March 14th, 2024. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/olive-ridley-turtle Citation No. 2: “Facts”, Written By Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the World Wildlife Fund. Retrieval Date: March 14th, 2024. https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/olive-ridley-turtle Citation No. 3: “Olive Ridley Sea Turtle”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the National Wildlife Federation. Retrieval Date: March 14th, 2024. ttps:// www.nwf.org/en/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Reptiles/Sea-Turtles/Olive-Ridley-Sea-Turtle Citation No. 4: “Olive Ridley Turtle”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by Oceana. Retrieval Date: March 14th, 2024. https://oceana.org/marine-life/olive-ridley-turtle/ Citation No. 5: “Olive Ridley Sea Turtles”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by The Marine Biological Conservation Society. Retrieval Date: March 14th, 2024. https://www.marinebio.org/species/olive-ridley-sea-turtles/lepidochelys-olivacea/ Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Pitfire Artisan Pizza Olivenbaum Music Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

What is an Impact Report? An impact report is a document our organization compiles at the end of the year to assess our impact on our community. This report contains a list of statistics gathered from our events hosted, volunteer program, online course program, & newsletter. Each of these has been grouped into a section, where all related statistics & information can be found. How Many Events Did We Host? The Persaud Foundation scheduled 20 events this year & hosted 18. Our October 18th, 2025, & December 13th, 2025, beach cleanups, were cancelled due to the coordinator's injury. The statistics for these events are listed below. Oceanic Literacy Day January 18th, 2025 Statistics: Number of Participants: 4 individuals. Location: The Open Book, Topanga. Beach Cleanup Statistics February 1st, 2025: Amount of Volunteers Engaged: 8 individuals. Approximate Amount of Trash Removed: 12.5 pounds. Location: Santa Monica State Beach, California, USA. Beach Cleanup March 1st, 2025 Statistics: Amount of Volunteers Engaged: 9 individuals. Approximate Amount of Pounds of Trash Removed: 18 pounds. Location: Santa Monica State Beach, California, USA. Oceanic Literacy Day Statistics, March 29th, 2025: Number of Participants: 1 individual. Location: The Open Book, Topanga. Beach Cleanup Statistics April 12th, 2025: Amount of Volunteers Engaged: 2 individuals. Approximate Amount of Trash Removed: 3.5 pounds. Location: Santa Monica State Beach, California, USA. Beach Cleanup May 17th, 2025 Statistics:  Amount of Volunteers Engaged : 8 individuals.  Approximate Amount of trash Removed : 20.5 pounds. Location: Santa Monica State Beach, California, USA. Oceanic Literacy Day May 31st, 2025 Statistics: Number of Participants : 10 individuals. Location of the Event: The Open Book, Topanga. Oceanic Literacy Day Statistics June 21st, 2025: Number of Participants: 16 individuals. Location : The Open Book, Topanga. Beach Cleanup June 22nd, 2025 Statistics: Number of Participants: 2 Individuals. Amount of Trash Removed: 4 pounds. Location: Santa Monica State Beach, California, USA. Oceanic Storytime Statistics July 17th, 2025: Number of Participants: 18 Individuals. Location : The Open Book, Topanga. Beach Cleanup July 19th, 2025 Statistics: Amount of Volunteers Engaged: 3 individuals. Amount of Trash Removed: 6 pounds. Location: Santa Monica State Beach, California, USA. Oceanic Literacy Day August 16th, 2025 Statistics: Number of Participants: 17 individuals. Location of Event: The Open Book, Topanga. Beach Cleanup Statistics, August 23rd, 2025: Amount of Volunteers Engaged: 16 individuals. Amount of Trash Removed: 60.5 pounds. Location: Santa Monica State Beach, California, USA. Oceanic Literacy Day September 14th, 2025 Statistics: Number of Participants: 25 individuals. Location of Event: The Open Book, Topanga. Beach Cleanup September 27th, 2025 Statistics: Amount of Volunteers Engaged: 7 individuals. Approximate Amount of Trash Removed: 16 pounds. Location: Santa Monica State Beach, California. Oceans For All Virtual Conference: Number of Participants: 9 participants. Oceanic Literacy Day October 12th, 2025 Statistics: Number of Participants: 13 individuals. Location of Event: The Open Book, Topanga. Beach Cleanup November 22nd, 2025 Statistics: Amount of Volunteers Engaged: 2 individuals. Approximate Amount of Trash Removed: 5.75 pounds. Location: Santa Monica State Beach, California, USA. In January, 2025, we began hosting our Oceanic Literacy days in collaboration with The Open Book, Topanga. In addition to allowing us to host our Oceanic Education Events, they graciously donated 20% of the proceeds of each purchase which was made by an individual who mentioned our fundraiser to us. We managed to fundraise approximately $97.50 through this partnership, which we are thrilled about. In addition to this, we hosted a fundraiser in collaboration with Pitfire Artisan Pizza on September 18th, 2025, resulting in approximately $217.94. Through all of these events, we managed to engage 170 individuals, remove 146.75 pounds (66.564680297 kilograms), of hazardous debris, & raise $315.43. How Many Courses Did We Release? In March of 2024, we began releasing micro-courses about marine biology, which are short, free, comprehensive courses about various issues plaguing the ocean. As of December 2025, we have 4 micro-courses, on the subjects of Overfishing, Ocean Acidification, Oil Spills, & the Plastics Crisis, in the order they were released. Over the course of 2025, we released a total of 6 online courses, including our micro-courses, a course on Cuttlefish, & a course on Nautiluses. Across all of these courses, we managed to attract 33 participants. How Many Articles Did We Publish? From January 1st, 2025, to December 31st, 2025, we published approximately 69 articles. Our newsletter got a total of 6,495 reads, distributed across our many issues. How Many Volunteer Hours Did We Track? In March, 2025, we began accepting long-term volunteers for science communication, & social media-related roles through our dedicated volunteer program. Since then, we have recruited 8 volunteers, with a total volunteer hour total of 71 hours & 5 minutes. The average value of an hour worked for volunteers in the United States is approximately $34.79 in 2024, as valued by the Independent Sector. Using this evaluation, we estimate that our volunteers have made an economic impact of $2,472.99. We thank each & every one of our volunteers, whether they contribute for an afternoon, or they contribute every week. This work would not be possible without them, & we wish to dedicate this section to them. Total Impact: Across all of our programs, including volunteers, & excluding social media, we have impacted approximately 6,706 individuals. We thank all of you for your support, & we look forward to continuing our mission in 2026!

A charming photograph of the urban area of Iqaluit. Credit to the Nunatsiaq News. Today’s article shall be discussing the History of Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, Canada. Iqaluit is the capital of the Canadian province, Nunavut. Iqaluit is considered one of the most ideal places for fishing in the nearby area. It is the only city in the entire province, with a minuscule population of 7,429 people. This is the lowest population of any provincial Canadian capital. Located on the Baffin Island, the city is close to the Arctic circle. Iqaluit was also known by the name “Froshbisher Bay” from 1942 to 1987, at which the cities name was restored to its Inuktitut name. The city encompasses a 19.92 square mile area (51.592563 square kilometers). Outside of Nunavut, the city is not well known for anything. The city is so small, that there is only 1 paved road in the entire town. The name “Iqaluit” is an Inuktitut name, meaning “Place Of Many Fish”. The reason for this name is that fishing is a long standing tradition of the Inuktitut people of the area. Though Iqaluit is not the most biodiverse land wise, it has some of the most magnificent marine life. This marine life, such as the beluga whale, is intricately linked to its Inuktitut history, & the Inuktitut people. The land around Iqaluit has a long &, rich native history. The documented history of Iqaluit begins in 1576, when an english explorer accidentally sailed into Frobisher Bay. Consequently, the city was named Frobisher Bay. The city is directly on the coastline, & is a mere 30 meters (98.4252 feet) in elevation. Currently, there is no official language for Iqaluit. Approximately half the population speaks Inuktitut, while 97 percent speak English. In this article, we will discuss the documented history of Iqaluit, the aboriginals of Iqaluit, & the most destructive natural & man-caused disasters to affect Iqaluit, & finally the economy of Iqaluit. With that being said, let us delve into the history of the Gem of the Arctic! The Documented History Of Iqaluit Before Colonization The Pre-Dorset people migrated from mainland North America to Baffin Island sometime between 1700 B.C & 1,000. The Pre-Dorset people are the original indigenous inhabitants, & are the precursor to all modern Inuktitut & Inuit people & culture. After Colonization By The British Historical Events From The 1500’s To The 1700’s Iqaluit’s history begins in 1576, when British Explorer Sir Martin Frobisher sailed into the bay adjacent to the city. He named it Frobisher Straits, as he believed it was a strait leading to China. Historical Events From The 1800’s As whaling became increasingly popular in the early & mid 1800’s, many whalers were attracted to the area. These whalers were some of the first people to develop the city both infra-structurally, & economically. In 1861, Charles Francis Hall arrived at Frosbisher Strait, & investigated whether or not it was the Asian Sea Route it was imagined to be. He quickly learnt from a local hunter, Koojesse, that the Strait, was actually a bay. While on his trip, he camped on the banks of the local river, & inlet. In honour of his geographer, & guide, he named the inlet Koojesse inlet, & the river Sylvia Grinnell River. The land, as well as government, became governed by the government of Canada from 1880 onward. After Being Transferred To Canada Historical Events From The 1900’s During the turn of the century, the whaling market began declining rapidly. Furriers became aware of the economic potential of Iqaluit, & quickly began moving to the city. Additionally, the Catholic & Anglican Church began building missionaries in & around the city. In 1914, The Hudson Bay Company opened a trading post in the Ward Inlet, located approximately 40 miles away from modern Iqaluit. The company would go on to establish more trading posts around Baffin Islands in the 1920s. As fur prices began to crash in the early 1930s, many furriers withdrew their stakes around the city. In the wake of this, the local Inuktitut economy also crashed, as many of their animals were over-hunted. This left them with few source of income or food. As the U.S was building more bases in the Arctic Areas, Koojesse inlet was chosen as the site of a massive Air Force base. This air force base is known as the Frobisher Bay Air Base. In 1943, The nearby trading post was moved to Apex, in order to support the Inuit who has moved further up the bay. As the city began growing, the cold war began becoming a larger issue for the U. S. For this reason, the U.S decided to build a radar DEW station near the city. This new project brought many new workers, as well as supplies to the area. In 1957, the population was estimated at 1,200, 489 of which were Inuktitut. As the Canadian government began recognizing the city was a city, doctors, teachers, administrators, clerks, & law enforcement was brought to the area. Many Inuktitut communities relocated to the city around this time, as many of them saw a city of destiny. In 1963, Iqaluit became the official Canadian administrative, transportation, & communications capital of the eastern Arctic wintry North. The first community council was formed a year after, as some form of local government had to be established. Soon after, in 1970, Iqaluit was officially recognized as a settlement. 4 year later, in 1974, the area was officially recognized as a village. In 1979, the first Mayor of Iqaluit is elected, that being Bryan Pearson. A year thereafter, the Canadian government recognized the village as a town. As mentioned in the introductory paragraph, in prior to 1987 the city was named Frobisher Bay. Only in 1987 was the cities name officially restored to its Inuktitut name, which is Iqaluit. The Indigenous Aboriginals Of Iqaluit The Inuit Indigenous Aboriginals The Inuit Indigenous Aboriginals an indigenous peoples group native to the Arctic. Their native language is the Inuktitut language. Local groups have adapted different dialects over the centuries, however they all have the same Inuktitut base. The Inuit peoples have generally been peaceful, & rarely have initiated violent conflict without reason, with the exception of the group living in the Mackenzie River Delta. Hunting is the true one of the fundamentals of Inuit culture, with extensive knowledge & training being passed down through generations. Their traditional Inuit diet includes many animals, that are often consumed raw. The most common of these animals is the ringed seal, as it inhabits Nunavut year round, thus ensuring a healthy food source throughout the year. In Inuit culture, it is popular to consume 2 large meals throughout the day, & then 1-7 small snacks each hour between meals. Traditional Inuit hunting tools range from spears, to hand held harpoons. As for plants, it is extremely difficult to cultivate anything in the thick winter climate of Iqaluit. In the summer, crowberries, & seaweed are fairly popular. Clothing is designed with warmth in mind, & garments were often designed for a specific individual. These garments were made to last an extremely long time, as it is takes weeks to craft just 1 parka. The traditional garments consist of a parka, pants & mittens made with caribou fur, a sealskin under layer, & 2-4 layers of footwear depending on the season. These garments occasionally had engravings, that often had a religious undertone. Inuit individuals generally are shorter in stature, with tanned skin, & have an elongated nose, which allows them to warm up air quickly, which is useful for such a frigid environment. Jewelry has historically been small, & made with beads. These beads ranged being made of shell, to being made of gemstones. Amulets are commonly worn while hunting, as they symbolize good luck & protection. Their familial construct is built around the extended family, with children living at home until, & occasionally after being married. Inuit relationships are much more open, & less strict then other cultures. Traditional Inuit music is often made to tell a story, & is often played using drums. Festivals are often held, with drum dancing, singing, & a lot of storytelling. As for games, harpoon throwing, knuckle hopping, airplane planking, & endurance games are popular. Shamans & priests were, & still are popular for spiritual guidance. As for Inuit religious practices, the traditional belief is that the entire world is governed by spirits, & that practically everything has, or is governed by a spirit. This religious principle is known as Animism. The Most Destructive Natural & Man-Caused Disasters To Affect Iqaluit Unfortunately, there seems to be very little information on disasters to have affected Iqaluit. We have yet to find any disasters that have caused significant casualties, damage, or injury to substantial amount of individuals. The Economy Of Iqaluit Overall, the Economy of Iqaluit is rather stable. The main industries of Iqaluit are currently, commercial fishing, oil, & mining. Transportation is also quite a large industry, as Iqaluit is the transportation capital of Nunavut. There are very few roads outside of Iqaluit, & there are no highways connecting the islands of Nunavut. For this reason, flying from one island to another is the most common method of transport. Iqaluit is slightly suffering though, as their economy is hard to sustain with such a minuscule population. The average full time salaried employee in Iqaluit makes approximately 87,500 U.S.D (118,557.69 Canadian Dollars), & the average household income is approximately 177,800 U.S.D. (240,909.22 Canadian Dollars). With all current exchange rates, the average cost of living is approximately 7,952 U.S.D (10,774.52 Canadian Dollars) per month. A photograph of an ice-covered area near Iqaluit, untouched by humanity. Directories / Credits Citation No. 1: “About Iqaluit: History & Milestones”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the Government Of Iqaluit. Retrieval Date: March 1st, 2024. https://www.iqaluit.ca/visitors/explore-iqaluit/history Citation No. 2: “The Founding Of Iqaluit - Arctic Kingdom”, Written by Admin, & Published on October 4th, 2019. Published by Arctic Kingdom. Retrieval Date: March 1st, 2024. https://resources.arctickingdom.com/the-founding-of-iqaluit?hs_amp=true Citation No. 3: “Inuit”, Written by Minnie Aodla Freeman, Published on June 8th, 2010. Published by The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieval Date: March 1st, 2024. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/inuit Citation No. 4: “Inuit”, Written by the Inuit Circumpolar Council, & Published on July 20th, 1998. Published By The Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieval Date: March 1st, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Inuit-people Citation No. 5: “Inuit Nunangat”, Written By Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published By the Canadian Geographic Indigenous Peoples Atlas Of Canada. Retrieval Date: March 1st, 2024. https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/inuit-nunangat/ Citation No. 6: “What Is A Good Salary In Iqaluit, Nunavut?”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by CareerBeacon. Retrieval Date: March 1st, 2024. https://www.careerbeacon.com/en/cost-of-living/iqaluit_nunavut?renting=0&restaurants=1000 Citation No. 7: “Inuit Games”, Written By Unknown & Published at an Unknown Date. Published By The Canadian Geographic Indigenous Peoples Atlas Of Canada. Retrieval Date: March 1st, 2024. https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/games-and-sports/ Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Pitfire Artisan Pizza Olivenbaum Music Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

Todays article will discuss the oceans surrounding Andros Island, a gorgeous island in The Bayamas. In today’s article, we will discuss the oceans themselves, the marine ecosystems around the island, & the marine fauna as well as flora that roams around the island. With that being said, let us delve into these warm sub-tropical waters! The Marine Climate & Habitat Of Andros Island The waters surrounding Andros Island are widely tropical with the highest temperature being 30.2° Celsius (86.4 Fahrenheit). However in January it may get down to 23.3° Celsius (73.9° Fahrenheit). The waves are usually 1-4 feet in size & the current is safe for swimmers as of 2022. Andros Island sits in the Atlantic making the salt concentration significantly higher. Due to the water temperature being much higher this also means there is less oxygen meaning the creatures there most likely won’t grow as large as creatures in say the Arctic Ocean. There is evidence to believe that the oceans surrounding Andros Island can get as deep as 2,000 meters (6,561.68 feet). With so much ocean Andros Island has 200 small “blue holes” which are mostly unexplored cave systems. These blue holes are small vertical caves, however they aren’t officially called blue holes. This is an amazing step for marine exploration. Hopefully one day all of these cave systems will be explored or grafted. The waters are relatively calm which attracts many species of marine animals. A contributing factor to this is that pollution is minimized because of the stopping of importing or exporting of coal. This also makes the air quality pristine compared to New York’s air quality or say London’s air quality. The Andros Barrier Reef can be seen from certain docks & piers on the island. The Andros Barrier Reef is 164 miles long & is the 3rd longest coral reef in our oceans. These areas are flooded with all sorts of exotic marine vertebrates & invertebrates. These are absolutely beautiful, diverse, & officially healthy oceans that are some of the best scuba diving spots in the world. The Marine Ecosystems Of Andros Island Every ocean has its marine ecosystems with none being the same as another one. There are numerous marine ecosystems of Andros Island, however some can be much more eye-catching than others. A quite namely example is the Andros Barrier Reef which is along & close to the coastal areas of the island. The 2 main marine ecosystems of Andros Island are coral reefed areas & coastal/tidal areas. These areas have their respective characteristics. Now let’s delve into these intricate & complex ecosystems. Coral Reef (The Andros Barrier Reef) Coral reefed areas are areas with coral shelfs, which the Andros Island has a lot of. The Andros Barrier Reef the 3rd coral reef in the world. it contains the Tongue Of The Sea which is a deep water basin around Andros Island & the rest of the Bahamas. The Andros Barrier Reef is incredibly important as it is a large percentage of our world’s remaining coral. It spans the entire circumference of Andros Island. It ranges from being 2.5 meters deep to 1.8 kilometers (8 feet to 5905.51 feet deep) in depth. The Andros Barrier Reef has the following species of coral: Giant Tube Sponge Coral, Sea Rod, Smooth Brain Coral, Deep Water Gorgonia, & Staghorn Coral. However it may have other undiscovered species of coral. The Andros Barrier Reef is one of the healthiest coral reefs in the world making it a very appealing area for animals. This reef doesn’t have very many societies restoring it as it does not need much restoration. Coastal/Tidal Areas The coastal/tidal areas of Andros Island are relatively calm. They are similar to most tidal areas as they have tide pools, & small invertebrates such as crabs & anemones. Cuttlefish also enjoy these areas as less predators & more food is found in these areas. These areas typically don’t have as many plants as the coral reefed or open ocean areas. This area is also typically colder than coral reefed areas & has a higher level of salinity. These areas are not usually very inhabited by vertebrates. Mangrove Forests The mangrove forests consist of large trees with stems & roots extending from 1.8 feet to 1.2 meters underwater. Andros Island’s mangrove forests are between the south & north island. However it is significantly farther south. Its salinity levels are significantly higher than those in other habitats of the island. It is also significantly more dangerous due to wildlife in the waters, one of those dangerous creatures are sea snakes. The Marine Flora & Fauna Of Andros Island There are numerous types of marine plants & animals with not all of them being documented. A large percentage of the marine flora & fauna live in the mangrove areas or the coral reefed areas. There is an incredible amount in diversity in the Andros Barrier Reef & in the other ecosystems, all of which deserved to be acknowledged. Now let’s delve into the marine flora & fauna of . Marine Animals There are a plethora of marine animals the reside or migrate through the waters around Andros Island. A large chunk of them being either whales, sea turtles, or exotic fish. There are 164 known species that live in the Andros Barrier Reef. However unfortunately this list is not public domain so we cannot disclose the animals on that list. Marine Plants Marine vegetation is incredibly important to marine biological research. Unfortunately there is not a well-documented list of any of the marine plants of Andros Island. However we do know that there are at least 33 species of moss from 28 genera. This was documented in by Elizabeth G. Britton in 1921. There are 7 known types of coral as well as 1 species of mangrove tree. Unfortunately any other information is not public domain or has not been published at all. How Ocean Acidification Had Affected The Andros Barrier Reef Ocean acidification has affected many coral reefs by causing them to bleach. Ocean acidification is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased, largely because of human-caused burning of fossil fuels, and deforestation, for the past 150 years. When carbon dioxide contacts sea water, it forms carbonic acid. Carbonic acid gives off positive H+ ions, which causes increased oceanic H+ concentrations and decreased oceanic ph. The increased carbon dioxide is causing the coral to bleach with can kill small coral reefs entirely. The effect that ocean acidification gives off has been minimized or eradicated due to the fact that the Bahamas are carbon free. This is why the Andros barrier reef is one of the healthiest in the world. This gives marine biologists hope that hopefully one day, all if not most coral reefs will be restored. Our Conclusion The oceans & ecosystems surrounding Andros Island are extremely diverse & tropical waters. They contain all sorts of marine flora & fauna, as well as having numerous ecosystems with no ecosystem being the same. These oceans deserve more thought & research effort from marine scientists & oceanographers. Andros Island is beautiful, biologically diverse, & all together one of the loveliest islands in the Atlantic. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors Our Loyal Patrons Ms. Ochoa

This article is part of our Marine Hall of Distinction collection. In this special collection, we discuss the marine biologists who have contributed most to marine biology & oceanography. We do this to commemorate these marine biologists & show gratitude for everything they have contributed to our oceans. Today’s marine scientist is the extraordinary carcinologist, Thomas Elliot Bowman III! Thomas Elliot Bowman III is a famed marine biologist, carcinologist, & researcher known for his work with isopods & copepods. In his career, he published over 163 papers, & described over 111 new species, the majority of which were isopods. In today’s article, we are going to delve into his formative years & education, his personal life & career, & his achievements, awards, & accomplishments. With that being said, let’s plunge into the captivating world of crustaceans! His Formative Years & Education Thomas Bowman Elliot the III was born on October 21st, 1918. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. Sadly, little is known of his family or early childhood. He attended Kent School in Connecticut for secondary school in 1937, before moving on to Harvard University. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Biology in 1941. Unfortunately, the timing of this was not in his favour, as the United States entered World War 2 that same year. While stationed in Northern California, he attended a Summer Course in Pacific Grove Field Station sponsored by the University of California at Berkeley. This would inspire him to venture into the field of marine science. He spent approximately 4 years in the U.S Army, before being discharged. It is important to mention that his tenure in the military included a degree in veterinary sciences from the University of Pennsylvania. Upon leaving the army, he headed west to California, & studied for a master’s degree at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. He completed his master’s degree soon after, & in 1948, headed south to Los Angeles to pursue his P.h.D at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, with the degree formally being granted by the University of California, Los Angeles. Upon entering, he worked under Martin Johnson on a California Current-wide survey sponsored by the California Cooperative Ocean Fisheries Investigation Program. His dissertation focused on the systematics & distribution of pelagic amphipods. His Career & Later Years One of his first professional ventures in marine science took him to Rhode Island, working with the Narragansett Marine Laboratory. He stayed for only 6 months, before moving on to the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian in 1955, becoming a curator. He remained in this role for 31 more years. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1995, at the age of 77. He was described as a thin man, with a twinkle in his eye, & a penchant for mischief & scandal. He was well known for his love of controversy, eccentric style of dress as well as office decor, & fondness of Dixieland-style music. In his writings, similarities could be drawn to the writers Ernest Hemmingway & Albert Camus. In his personal life, he married Mary Jo, his wife, & raised 3 daughters with her. His contributions to the fields of marine science, & carcinology, will not be forgotten, & he is remembered as one of the most influential crustacean taxonomists of all time. In the words of Frank D. Ferrari, “No American before him has mastered the crustaceans as Tom did, and I suspect none after him will.” A fascinating image of Mictocaris halope, the sole species of the order Mictacea, which was described by Thomas Elliot Bowman III. Credit to photographer Peter Parks. His Achievements, Accomplishments, & Awards He was the presiding editor of the “ Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington ”, for 14 years. He described approximately 111 marine species. This included 55 isopods, 28 copepods, one suctorian, & one chaetognath. He described 1 new genus, & 1 new order, named Mictacea. A photograph of Thomas Elliot Bowman III in one of his famous brightly coloured bow ties. Directories / Credits No. 1: “The Work of Thomas Elliot Bowman III”, Written by Frank D. Ferrari, & Published at an Unknown date. Published by the Smithsonian Institution. https://repository.si.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/a0a3abed-50a4-4e7f-b46d-0406c1fcf04e/content No. 2: “DEPARTMENT OF INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY: Gallery of Carcinologists: Selected Biographical Sketches”, Written by the Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the Smithsonian Institution. https://www.naturalhistory.si.edu/research/invertebrate-zoology/about/carcinologist-hall-fame No. 3: “THOMAS ELLIOT BOWMAN III”, Written by Frank D. Ferrari, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the Smithsonian Institution. https://repository.si.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/ba3820fb-9fb9-44eb-9e1b-aa5c17e7af20/content No. 4: “THOMAS ELLIOT BOWMAN III”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by People Pill. https://peoplepill.com/i/thomas-elliot-bowman-iii Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Hook, Topanga Olivenbaum Music Pitfire Artisan Pizza Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

A gorgeous photograph of Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada, during the summer. Credit to the government of Iqaluit. Today’s article shall be discussing the oceans surrounding Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, Canada. Iqaluit is the capital of the Canadian province, Nunavut. Iqaluit is considered one of the most ideal places for fishing in the area. It is the only city in the entire province, with a minuscule population of 7,429 people. This is the lowest population of any provincial Canadian capital. Located on the Baffin Island, the city is close to the Arctic circle. Iqaluit was also known by the name “Frobisher Bay” from 1942 to 1987, at which the cities name was restored to its Inuktitut name. The city encompasses a 19.92 square mile area (51.592563 square kilometers). Outside of Nunavut, the city is not well known. The city is so small, that there is only 1 paved road in the entire town. The name “Iqaluit” is an Inuktitut name, meaning “Place Of Many Fish”. The reason for this name is that fishing is a long standing tradition of the Inuktitut people of the area. Though Iqaluit is not the most biodiverse land wise, it has some of the most magnificent marine life. One of the creatures that makes up their marine ecosystems, it the Beluga Whale. We covered this species in an article published 10 days prior to this one, which readers may view if they are interested. The majority of the marine species around the city, are marine mammals. Currently, Marine Species Management Services estimate that there are approximately 21 species of pinniped found around the Iqaluit, & the surrounding islands. In this article we will discuss the salinity, tides, temperatures, marine geography, & depth of the oceans surrounding Iqaluit, the most prominent marine ecosystems of the oceans surrounding Iqaluit, the documented marine flora & fauna of Iqaluit, & how ocean acidification & rising oceanic temperatures are affecting the oceans surrounding Iqaluit. With that being said, let us delve into the jewel of Nunavut! The Salinity, Tides, Temperatures, Marine Geography, & Depth Of The Oceans Surrounding Iqaluit The salinity of Iqaluit is currently unmeasured. Since Iqaluit is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean, the salinity of Iqaluit most likely rests between 30 & 34 Parts Per Thousand. Salinity is currently measured in 1000 gram increments of water. For example, 30 grams of salt per every 1000 grams of water would be expressed as 30 parts per thousand. Additionally, though parts per thousand is considered the proper name for the measurement, some sources will instead refer to it as practical salinity units. The tidal charts for Iqaluit can be found on a variety of websites, including: https://www.tideschart.com , https://www.tide-forecast.com , https://tides.today , & https://www.tidetablechart.com . The tides tend to not reach higher then 10.7 meters (35.10499 feet) tall, & no lower then 0.5 (1.64042 feet) meters. The oceanic temperature charts can be found on similar websites, a few of which are: https://seatemperature.info , https://seatemperatures.net , https://www.watertemp.org , & https://www.watertemperature.org . The average yearly oceanic temperature is approximately 31.02499999999995239° Fahrenheit (-0.54166666666667 Celsius). Using a wetsuit guide, at this temperature it is recommended that you wear a drysuit.  Iqaluit is not known to have any common riptides. Though the ocean around the city is safe for swimming, it never gets warm enough to swim without a drysuit. Pollutants are not found in the water, & the ocean water is rather clean & clear. There are very few oceanic activities to do around the area. Very few diving expeditions are launched here unless it is for a scientific purpose. The few that are, are highly structured & are usually hosted by travel agencies. There is very little tourism in the city, as the city is not very well known. Iqaluit has very few sea mounts around it, as the geography does not permit them. The oceanic floor around the city largely consists of rock. With all current research, the deepest oceanic point within a 5 nautical mile (5.7539 miles or 9.26 kilometers) radius of Iqaluit is 419.9 feet (127.98552 meters) deep. The Most Prominent Marine Ecosystems Of The Oceans Surrounding Iqaluit Ecosystem Type No. 1: Intertidal Zones Intertidal zones are located along the coastlines, & are areas which are exposed to air at low tide, as well as submerged at high tide. These zones are wear the ocean meets the shoreline, & contrary to popular perception, are absolutely teeming with oceanic life. From crabs to bivalves, this ecosystem has a unique variety of marine life, as well as a unique variety of features. These zones generally have species from the phyla Echinodermata, Arthropoda, & Mollusca in them. Additionally, these zones may have tide pools. The Documented Marine Flora Of Iqaluit Unfortunately, we cannot provide information on the marine flora of Iqaluit, as there is little to no data on them. The Documented Marine Fauna Of Iqaluit Though Iqaluit isn’t the most biodiverse, the city has a flourishing population of marine life. Unfortunately, due to the inhospitable environment, there is very little data on exactly which species inhabit the cities shoreline. Many marine species will migrate to Iqaluit as a part of their natural migrational process, & as a result, it is hard to track them. There are very few species that are found year round, with the most prominent one being the Ringed Seal. As of 2025, there are no known endemic marine fauna species that are endemic to Iqaluit. For the purposes of this article, we will not be including planktons, parasites, marine insects, or waterfowl. With that being said, below is a list of all the most prominent marine species known to be found around the city: Monoceros monodon (Narwhal), Delphinapterus leucas (Beluga Whale), Balaena mysticetus (Bowhead Whale), Pusa hispada (Ringed Seal), Odobenus rosmarus (Walrus), Salvelinus alpinus (Arctic Char). How Ocean Acidification & Rising Oceanic Temperatures Are Affecting The Oceans Surrounding Iqaluit Ocean acidification is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased, largely because of human-caused burning of fossil fuels, & deforestation, for the past 150 years.  When carbon dioxide contacts sea water, it forms carbonic acid.  Carbonic acid gives off positive H+ ions, which causes increased oceanic H+ concentrations & decreased oceanic Ph. When the ocean has decreased Ph, it effectively acidifies. When this happens, it causes conditions that will eat at the shells of bivalves, stress out & eventually bleach coral, & utterly destroy seagrass patches. The effects of this are being seen the most dramatically in Arctic & Antarctic areas, which Iqaluit is located in. Ocean Acidification currently poses a massive threat to the hard shelled organisms of Iqaluit, & if not taken action upon, will eventually lead to ecological destabilization. As for rising oceanic temperatures, its affects are being seen now in Iqaluit. This form of climate change is affecting the migrational patterns of fish, which is & will affect the Inuktitut Communities. Many of these small communities rely on fishing & hunting to sustain themselves, & their local economy. If the fish, or seals become locally extinct, then it will have devastating economic, food security, & ecological implications for the Inuktitut Indigenous Aboriginals. For more information as well as ways to avoid this uninviting future, please visit https:// www.climatechangenunavut.ca . A photograph of Iqaluit in its snow-covered glory. Credit to the government of Iqaluit. Directories / Credits Citation No. 1: “Wetsuit thickness & temperature guide”, Written By Mark Evans, & Published On April 24th, 2023, at 3:05 PM. Published By Scuba Divers Magazine. Retrieval Date: February 26th, 2024. https://www.scubadivermag.com/wetsuit-thickness-and-temperature-guide/#Scuba_diving_wetsuits Citation No. 2: “Wildlife Viewing Animals”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published By Travel Nunavut. Retrieval Date: February 26th, 2024. https://travelnunavut.ca/things-to-see-do/wildlife-viewing/wildlife-viewing-animals/ Citation No. 3: “Species In Nunavut”, Written By Unknown, & Published At an Unknown Date. Published by Travel Nunavut. Retrieval Date: February 26th, 2024. https://travelnunavut.ca/things-to-see-do/fishing/species-in-nunavut/ Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Pitfire Artisan Pizza Olivenbaum Music Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

Today’s nautical chart is a 166-year-old nautical map of the Florida Keys, from Ramrod Key to Boca Grande Key! The Florida Keys are a magnificent set of islands off the coast of the Florida Panhandle in the United States. They are known for their distinctive wildlife, relaxing resorts, & beautiful beaches. They are located in the Gulf of Mexico, from The chart depicts the lower portion of the Florida Keys, known as the Southern Keys. The chart is in English, & contains a tremendous amount of information about seafloor depth, seafloor composition, lighthouses, information about when data was taken, & crash sites of unlucky ships. It showcases the names of various islands, including charming, idyllic destinations such as Summerland Key, & Key West. It is of fair size, being 31 inches wide, & 22.5 inches long. The chart is cream coloured, with islands being covered yellow to differentiate from the sea, & details being outlined in black. For the time, the depiction of the islands were fairly accurate, making them an incredibly useful resource to any sailor of the era who passed through the area often. In today’s article, we shall discuss this intriguing nautical chart, perform an analysis of it. With that being said, let us delve into the  warm, erratic waters of the Florida Keys! A beautiful aerial photograph of Ramrod Key, the island at the beginning of the map in the lower Florida Keys. This was taken on October 7th, 1987. Credit to the Federal Government of the United States of America. The Chart A gorgeous antique Nautical Chart designed by the United States Office in Coast Survey. Courtesy of Rare Maps. In the introduction, we discussed the subject of the map, an island chain known as the Florida Keys. The chart includes a variety of island names, from Boca Grande to Shark Key. The map is relatively undamaged, with the main visible flaws being yellowed marks running vertically & horizontally. As can be visualized by the numbers visible in the ocean, the chart also includes a vast amount of bathymetric data, meaning data about the sea floor. In addition to including information about depth, it also includes information about composition. A table at the bottom of the map explains that the chart has markers for different materials that the seafloor is composed of, including mud, sand, shells, coral, stones, rock, & marl. To the right on the table, we can also see that the chart gives information on the hardness of the sea floor, going from broken to rocky. This information would have been particularly useful to ships looking to anchor in the area, as composition of the sea floor affects what kind of anchor will be used. Also at the bottom, is a list of local lighthouses, as well as tidal information. An Analysis Of The Chart This chart was designed & manufactured in 1859, by the United States Coastal Survey. The United States Coastal Survey was founded in 1807 by Thomas Jefferson. During the War of 1812, many disagreements ensued over whether or not the office should be civilian, or military controlled. This eventually led to the agency being re-founded in 1832 by Rudolph Hassled as a civilian agency, although they still collaborated closely with the military, working closely with the army & navy for hydrographic as well as topographic work. Unfortunately, the agency was disrupted by the civil war, during which Alexander Dallas Bache, the grandson of Ben Franklin. Later, post-civil war, after the country began returning to a state of normalcy, the party began employing more scientists, & naturalists. The agency also had an active role in the second world war, manufacturing over 100 million maps for the allies. In 1970, the agency was merged with several other governmental institutions to form the modern National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. Considering the history of the United States Coastal Survey, this chart was likely manufactured for both military & civilian use. Upon reviewing the quality, & time that the map was manufactured in, the chart was most likely manufactured using lithography. Lithography is a method of printing that arose in the 1820s, & remained the most popular method of printing in both color & grayscale until the early 1960s, when more efficient methods became available. Although it has existed since the mid-1790s, it took a long time to gain popularity in Europe due to technical difficulties, & only began gaining commercial popularity in the early 1820s. It is still widely used for certain kinds of printing, such as fine art printing today, however, digital printing is far more common. In the lithographic method, the artist will draw directly onto a printing surface, such as zinc, or copper, until they are satisfied with the drawing. After this, the surface will be covered with a chemical etch, which will bond it to the surface. With this process, the blank areas will attract moisture to the plate & repel the lithographic ink, while the areas that are drawn on will hold the ink. Water is then wiped onto the unpainted areas to help prevent the ink from deviating. After the image is inked, the paper is laid over it & covered with a tympan, & the tympan is pressed down. Finally, these materials pass through the scraper bar of the litho-press. Afterward, an exact copy of what was supposed to be printed is revealed. It is extremely useful for making high-resolution prints in high quantities. A serene photograph of Boca Grande, Florida. This is the furthest island away from the mainland depicted in the chart. Credit to photographer Rob Wiltse. Directories / Credits All credit for this map analyzed today goes to Rare Maps, a California rare & antique maps store. To purchase this chart, antique atlases, or other cartographic objects, please visit www.raremaps.com . To be clear, this is not an advertisement for Rare Maps, as we do not have a partnership with them. Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Cash Daniels Tides of Tomorrow The Open Book, Topanga Pitfire Artisan Pizza Olivenbaum Music Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa

Recently, we were fortunate to interview the extraordinary marine scientist, Dr. Richard C. Brusca. Dr. Brusca is a marine biologist, invertebrate zoologist, writer, researcher, and goldendoodle enthusiast known for his work with invertebrates, the Sea of Cortez, and Latin America. He is a prolific author, with over 200 publications and 16 books, and he has earned numerous prestigious awards such as the U.S.Department of Defence Award for Civil Service. Apart from his scientific ventures, he is also well known for his fiction novels, “In the Land of the Feathered Serpent”, 2019, and “The Time Travelers”, 2023, which led him to winning the 2024 Independent Press Award for Hispanic Fiction. In today’s interview, we sit down with Rick to discuss his long and extraordinary career in marine science, his science communication efforts, his novels, his passions, his nonprofit work, and his advice for new marine biologists and early career ocean professionals, in a comprehensive 27-question interview. Before diving into today’s interview, please note everything said has been edited for clarity, and that the opinions of our interviewee do not necessarily reflect the opinions and values of our organization. With that being said, let us delve into the contents of the interview!   A splendid photograph of Dr. Richard Brusca cruising in the Sea of Cortez.   The Interview   Questions About His Passion   1. What sparked your passion for marine biology, invertebrate zoology, and the ocean? I was fortunate to have grown up on the coast in California. In my youth I spent as much time as possible at the beach: tidepooling, body and board surfing, just exploring. The sea was in my blood right from the start. I would often cut a day of high school to hang out at the beach, surfing and just staring out at the broad Pacific and its hypnotic waves. I always had the notion of the Pacific Ocean being the largest thing on the entire planet and the enormity of it enchanted me. I knew it was over 5,000 miles of open ocean from my beach to the other side, to a beach in Japan where I imagined someone like me sitting and staring out across the Pacific thinking about how vast it is.   When I went off to college I started at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where I took every marine and invertebrate course they offered. I spent my weekends driving up and down the California coast looking for the greatest beaches to explore. I would visit the many marine labs along the coast and while away hours in their libraries. In my junior year, I got lucky andwas offered a job as a marine technician on the R/V Eltanin , a naval Arctic icebreaker that had been refitted as an Antarctic research ship.  I spent seven months on the Eltanin, sailing into various ice packs in the Southern Ocean and learning the practical aspects of oceanographic sampling.  On that voyage, I read Sir Alister Hardy’s still unrivaled oceanography book, The Open Sea .  The book, and the experience, fixed in me forever a love of the ocean and a love for field work and travel.     2. What inspired your passion for the Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California? I really knew nothing about the Sea of Cortez, but after finishing my master’s degree at Los Angeles State University one of my instructors asked me if I might be interested in moving to Mexico to help out the University of Arizona.  They needed someone to build a small marine laboratory on the coast near a fishing village called Puerto Peñasco (a 4-hour drive from Tucson).  I spoke no Spanish, had been to the Gulf of California only once, and knew nothing about building marine labs; but the whole thing sounded like such an exciting adventure that I jumped at the opportunity.  He recommended me to the head of the U.A. Marine Biology Program, I flew out for an interview, and I got the job! Two months later I was living in Mexico, learning Spanish, and trying to figure out how to construct a simple marine lab (with a running seawater system, etc.).  Somehow I pulled it all off, and in the process discovered what an amazing body of water the Sea of Cortez is.   Near the end of my 2-year contract living and working in Puerto Peñasco, the great amphipod systematist J. Laurens Barnard took a sabbatical leave from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History to work at the U.A.  He hooked up with me and we spent many months traveling around the Gulf collecting his beloved amphipods and revisiting the old Ricketts-Steinbeck collecting sites from the 1940s.  By then I was so inspired by the beauty and rich diversity of the Gulf of California, I couldn’t imagine studying any other region of the world.  That’s when I decided to enter the PhD program at the U.A.  Jerry Barnard was my greatest mentor and inspired the entirety of my career.   3. What ignited your passion for the Southwestern U.S.? After completing a two-year contract job for the University of Arizona, living in Mexico on the shores of the Sea of Cortez, I decided I wanted to get a PhD and become a college professor.  I had already fallen in love with the Gulf and its desert shores, and the only university that had a marine program focused on that spectacular sea was the University of Arizona. I was admitted to the program and once I settled into Tucson began to discover the Sonoran Desert.  For me, it had many parallels with the sea, and even the intertidal zone: the challenging environment for the plants and animals, the extreme biodiversity, the endless complex relationships between the flora as well as fauna, its sheer, and often stark, beauty.  It would be nearly impossible to live in the Sonoran Desert & not fall in love with it.   4. What captivated you about the Madrean Sky Islands, andhow would you describe them to those who are not familiar? Moving to Arizona I was struck by the pattern of the landscape, which consists of a series of isolated mountain ranges separated by low valleys. It is the overarching pattern of the terrain as far as the eye can see.  I learned that this region was part of the great Basin and Range Geological Province that runs from southeastern Oregon all the way to Sonora and the Central Plateau of Mexico. Tucson is surrounded by four of these isolated ranges, the most well-known being the Santa Catalina Mountains. The Catalinas are one of 65 of these Basin & Range mountains that just happen to span the gap between the Colorado Plateau/Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico—sometimes called the Cordilleran Gap.  These 65 ranges are known as Sky Islands because they harbor unique higher-elevation plant and animal communities that are separated and isolated from other ranges by sprawling low desert valleys.  Most of the ranges harbor endemic species in their oak woodlands and pine forests.  Not only that, but they also serve as stepping-stones for temperate species from the north, and tropical species from the south, which gives these Sky Island ranges an enormous andinteresting mix of biodiversity. It’s what makes southeastern Arizona a global biodiversity hotspot.   Exploring these ranges around Tucson, one quickly learns that as you travel up in elevation the changes in plant communities mirror those seen driving north in latitude. This is a biogeographic relationship first described by the great explorer Alexander von Humboldt in the early 19th century, based on his work in the Andes.  In the 1960s, the pioneering ecologist Robert Whittaker documented these vegetational changes in the Santa Catalina Mountains in great detail.   While working on a project developed by my wife, U.A. professor Wendy Moore—the Arizona Sky Island Arthropod Project (ASAP)—I totally fell in love with the Catalina Mountains.  She was collecting arthropods all over the range, so I decided to use the same transects to document the plants, with the idea of comparing them to what Whittaker had found 60 years earlier.  It turned out to be quite interesting because over those six decades a warming and drying climate had been established.  We predicted that all of the plant species might have moved upslope to avoid these climate changes.  Many had done so, but we also discovered that many hadn’t.  Some had compressed their elevational range, others changed only their lower range limit, and so forth.  Overall, the varied responses of the plants led to changes in community composition that were unpredictable at the outset of the project.   5. Was there any major person, place, book, or media franchise that assisted in the sparking of your passions for these subjects? I was fortunate to have had some great mentors.  As an undergraduate, Professor David Montgomery solidified my interest in invertebrate zoology and it was then that I began reading books by the great zoologist Libbie Hyman.  I so admired Hyman that I wanted to accomplish similar feats of synthesis.   My MSc advisor, Dick Allen, taught me systematics, and we ended up publishing a number of papers together on mayflies. Those were my first scientific publications and Dick helped me learn the convoluted process of writing and publishing one’s research.   During my PhD work, I was inspired and mentored by the Gulf of California fish expert, Donald A. Thomson, and the wonderful amphipod biologist J. Laurens Barnard . Jerry Barnard was far and away the most important mentor in my life because he taught me how to have fun and do serious biology at the same time.   6. Across your career, you have worked with a plethora of different species. What is your favorite species that you have worked with?  Generally speaking, what is your favorite marine or terrestrial animal? It would be impossible for me to pick favorites (aside from my 85 lb. Goldendoodle, Marley).  I find all of life utterly fascinating, and the world of invertebrates is so unimaginably diverse that every year new creatures are discovered that defy our imagination.  Some of my colleagues and I have puzzled over invertebrate specimens for years before finally figuring out what phylum they even belong to (in some cases, a new phylum had to be erected to accommodate them).   There remain infinite mysteries to be solved in the world of invertebrates and they can be found in virtually any tidepool or sample from the deep sea.  We know a lot, yet we still know so little. Not only that, but everyone knows invertebrates are spectacularly beautiful and far more charming than vertebrates!   Questions Regarding His Career In Marine Science 7. Where did you pursue your undergraduate degree, as well as your master’s degree, and was there any particular reason as to why you chose these institutions? I completed my bachelor’s degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where I knew they had a strong marine biology program.  I also knew it was a beautiful coastal region of California.  That took me nearly seven years because I kept taking time off to travel (Mexico, New Zealand, Chile, Antarctica on the R/V Eltanin , etc.). I did my master’s work at L.A. State University only because I was living there, had gotten married, and had a child.  I didn’t want to disrupt the family and my wife had a good job, but I got lucky and found a great thesis advisor, Richard K. Allen.   8. Which institution did you go to for your Ph.D. and what was your thesis topic? After completing my 2-year contract with the University of Arizona, living and working in Mexico, I enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Arizona. They had the only graduate program in the country focused on the Sea of Cortez, and my newly-discovered mentor and friend Jerry Barnard was a visiting professor there (from the National Museum of Natural History). I wanted to study crab systematics, but at the time Professor John Garth (at the University of Southern California) was the preeminent Eastern Pacific crab specialist and he was very possessive about his group, thus discouraging me from crabs!   Instead, I fell in love with marine isopods, those little marine “pillbugs” that are so diverse and common.  My PhD dissertation was a revision of a family of isopods that are parasites on marine fishes in the Gulf of California.  The number of specimens I had available was enriched by culling through the University of Arizona’s fish collection, where I found my parasites still attached to the bodies of their pickled host fishes. I worked on isopods for over 20 years but eventually became interested in so many other things, especially Sea of Cortez conservation issues, that I finally let them go. There is a bit of irony in all this, because after completing my PhD my first academic position was to replace the retiring John Garth at USC.   9. Do you mind speaking about the work that you have done in the Sea of Cortez? What has been your focus while in the Sea of Cortez? My work there began by simply documenting the vast invertebrate diversity, over 5,000 described species, of that poorly known region, including writing keys to identify the common species.  That grew into a body of systematic work describing the isopod crustacea of the Gulf, and that led to research on conservation ecology in the region.  I’ve published many papers, books, and editorials on the region over the 50 years I’ve worked there.   Among the paradigm shifts I’ve tried to instill is the fact that the Colorado River was never important to the ecology of the Upper Gulf, because it actually never delivered much freshwater to the sea.  There is ample evidence to support this, although for some folks it still seems so counterintuitive that they struggle with the idea. Another paradigm shift I’ve pushed is that the Sonoran Desert should be considered a maritime desert, because our summer monsoon rains come almost entirely from evaporation off the Sea of Cortez. It is this summer rainy season that makes the Sonoran Desert unique among American deserts, providing for two rainy seasons annually and driving our biodiversity to very high levels. I’ve worked with UNESCO for many years on projects to evaluate their Biosphere Reserves in the Gulf, andI’m currently working with a large group of other Gulf specialists to produce a detailed assessment of the overall health of the Sea of Cortez.   10. Early on in your career, you worked with a scientist known as Jerry Laurens Barnard . We recently published an article discussing his life, work, achievements, and accomplishments . What research did you conduct with Jerry and where did you primarily conduct it? Jerry took a 4-year sabbatical from the National Museum of Natural History to move to the University of Arizona as a visiting researcher.  One of his primary goals was to undertake a comprehensive survey of the Gulf of California’s amphipod Crustacea.  I was still living in Puerto Peñasco when he arrived, running a small marine lab that I’d built for the University of Arizona.  On Jerry ’s first visit to Peñasco we met and hit it off.   Subsequently, he and I undertook many expeditions around the Sea of Cortez, he collecting amphipods and me documenting the intertidal invertebrates for my then-forthcoming book, Common Intertidal Invertebrates of the Gulf of California (U.A. Press).  Once I decided to work on isopods for my PhD dissertation, Jerry was invaluable as a mentor because amphipods andisopods are very closely related.   11. How did you become the Curator of Crustacea and Head of the Invertebrate Zoology Section for the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History? I was on faculty at the University of Southern California, where I also served as Curator of Crustacea for the Allan Hancock Foundation Oceanographic Collections.  The Hancock collections were world famous and comprised the largest eastern Pacific collections in existence.   At one point in time, the U.S.C. administration made the bad decision to abandon the collections. They were actually considering trashing them. I managed to obtain sizeable funding from the National Science Foundation to transfer most of the collections to the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, one of the best museums in the country.  Once the Crustacea collection was moved, which took about 18 months, the museum opened a position for a Curator of Crustacea.  I applied and was lucky enough to get the appointment. That collection, with approximately 130,000 lots (i.e., a single collection from one time and place) and millions of specimens, is second in size andimportance only to the Crustacea collection at the Smithsonian. The move was so complicated, I could never have done it without the help of a very smart and hard-working assistant, Regina Wetzer. Regina went on to get her PhD in invertebratesand is now a Curator and Director of the Marine Biodiversity Center at the museum.   12. What led you to become the director of the Graduate Marine Biology Program at the College of Charleston in South Carolina? There’s a bit of a story here.  I’d left the L.A. Natural History Museum for an endowed curatorship position at the San Diego Natural History Museum.  It was a great job, well-funded, in a very pleasant city.  However, the museum’s Executive Director turned out to be a bad guy and one day the Board of Directors discovered he had been mismanaging the museum’s finances quite badly.  All of a sudden, the auditors told us we were in big debt and would have to substantially reduce the budget.   A temporary new Executive Director was put in place with the charge to slash the budget. This fellow didn’t understand the role of science in natural history museums, so the first thing he did was start laying off science staff—curators, technicians, andcollection managers.  Although my position was safe because of the endowment, watching my close colleagues get axed was stressful. It was clear to me that science was being dismembered at the museum. Just then fate seemed to step in and I was recruited by the College of Charleston to take over as Director of their Graduate Program in Marine Biology.  It was actually one of the very best marine science graduate programs in the country.   I accepted the invitation and jumped into a high-level administrative position.  It took me a few years to get my feet on the ground, with nearly 50 students and 100 participating professors. Talk about herding cats!   13. What led you to become a Senior Research Scientist with Columbia University in New York, and what sorts of research or teaching did you conduct while at that university? This was another recruitment.  I had just moved to Tucson to be with my new bride (Wendy Moore), who had started her PhD program in entomology at the University of Arizona.  My friends and colleagues at the College of Charleston told me I was crazy to give up a good position with tenure, having no job waiting for me in Tucson. Yet, love prevailed.   I was initially offered a Research Scientist position in the UA’s Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department and was about to transfer a very large National Science Foundation research grant I had from Charleston to the University of Arizona. Colombia University somehow found out about my situation and I was invited to visit their Biosphere 2 Center in Oracle, Arizona.  Columbia had just taken over the Biosphere and they were looking for “new talent,” especially people who could come with grants “in their pocket.”  They basically made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.   So instead of building a new lab at the UA, I did so at Columbia University’s Biosphere 2 Center where I continued working on isopod systematics and Sea of Cortez biodiversity and conservation.  Then, after just a couple of years, Columbia asked me if I would consider being Director of Education for the Center.  I liked the faculty there, and their teaching ideas were very creative as well as successful and strongly oriented toward field work.  I took the new position, but had to cut back on my research. I retained my Research Scientist appointment, unpaid, at the University of Arizona throughout all this.   14. How did you enter the role of Executive Director at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and what work did you do with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Press? Just four years into my job with Columbia University’s Biosphere 2 Center, I was invited to apply for a position at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.  Their Director of Science, Dr. Gary Nabhan, had left for a position at Northern Arizona University, and the museum needed to replace him.  I had to compete against a couple of other folks but got lucky and got the job! Then, after just a year or so, the museum’s executive director retired and the museum needed someone new.  The Board of Trustees came up with a clever and unique idea—there could be two Executive Directors, co-directors!  The Trustees knew me pretty well, and they knew the museum’s Director of Development (Robert Edison) quite well indeed.  Bob Edison and I deliberated on the idea and decided we could easily work together by splitting up responsibilities. I liked to joke that Bob raised the money and I spent it.  We got along well and both worked hard, and the museum thrived! The entire time I was at the Desert Museum I also ran the ASDM Press, which was a lot of fun.  We produced a good many books, almost all of which won national awards, from science tomes to children’s books, and even an award-winning cookbook.  I learned a good deal about the fascinating field of book publishing during that period.   15. Broadly speaking, over the course of your career what types of research have you done involving marine invertebrates? I’m one of those few invertebrate biologists who worked on many different groups, all the phyla really.  My textbook, Invertebrates , treats all of the invertebrates in great depth, including systematics, biology, ecology, and phylogenetics.  It’s hard to categorize my work on invertebrates because I’ve published on systematics, ecology, invertebrate conservation, biogeography, embryology, invertebrate archaeology . . . you name it. The textbook is now in its 4th edition, in four languages, and is the widest-selling text in the field. My online database of invertebrates in the Sea of Cortez (over 5,000 species) is a primary reference for anyone working in the region.   16. Your work has taken you all around the world, from Antarctica to the Tropics. How many areas have you researched and which ones were your most memorable? Well, that's a big question. I’ve organized and undertaken field expeditions all over the world.  Many of these were research-ship based, usually relying on scuba and occasionally using manned submersibles. My fieldwork includes most of the America’s: Guatemala, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Galapagos Islands, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Tierra del Fuego, throughout the Caribbean.   In the Old World, I’ve undertaken field work throughout the Western Mediterranean, Spain, Morocco, South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia, Madagascar, Taiwan, and Thailand.   In the Pacific, I’ve worked in Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Tonga, American and Western Samoa, Fiji, Guam, New Zealand, Hawaii, Antarctica, and extensively throughout Australia.   It would be hard to pick a favorite because so many of the places are simply spectacular in terms of invertebrate biodiversity andsheer beauty, but certainly the islands of the tropical western Pacific stand out on both counts.  I also favor Latin America because I’m a great fan of Hispanic culture and New World Indigenous history.   Questions About His Various Publications and Other Passions   17. How many books have you published thus far and what are subjects? I’ve published 16 books, several that have gone through multiple editions, on topics ranging from crustacean biology to Sonoran Desert ecology to Sea of Cortez natural history.  Some were bilingual (English-Spanish) and one has been translated into four languages (my invertebrate text: Invertebrates , Oxford University Press).   Two were novels.  My latest book was a look at the relationship between science and the humanities; an important subject that doesn’t get enough attention. I’m currently working with a Colombian-Mexican colleague, Omar Vidal, on a book about Mexican conservation issues (to be published in Spanish).   18. What attracts you to Latin American History, as well as culture? What sorts of publications have you done involving Latin American history? I’ve been attracted to Latin American culture and history for as long as I can remember. Perhaps it was growing up in Los Angeles, where Latino culture is hard not to notice. My love affair with Mexico, in particular, runs deep. Our southern neighbors are better educated than us (the literacy rate in Mexico is over 95%; in the U.S. it’s 79%, and 54% of U.S. adults read below a 6th-grade level), and they tend to make decisions based on facts and thoughtful consideration rather than ideology (as is so common among Americans).   Also, compared to Americans they have a stronger sense of social justice, are generally happier and maintain a healthier outlook on life, are more family-oriented and, importantly, are deeply connected to their roots, especially their Mexica ancestry and the great Aztec Kingdom which still survives in many forms in modern-day Mexico. Mexico never tried to force its Indigenous groups onto miserable reservations as we did in the U.S. They were left to live where they were and live the way they chose.  But, of course, almost every Mexican born in Mexico has indigenous blood in their veins and they are part Native American—they are Mestizos.  So it’s quite different from the U.S.   Another thing, my Mexican researcher colleagues don’t take themselves too seriously; unlike American scientists, who tend to delineate their entire identity as human beings by their career work. By the way, it’s not just Mexico: the literacy rate in Chile is 97%, Venezuela 98%, and Argentina 99%.  It’s always seemed easier to have meaningful conversations with Latinos than with U.S. citizens, because they are better informed, more broadly read, and are more adept at distinguishing between dogma andreality. Of course, that doesn’t mean Mexico doesn’t have its own set of problems, such as corruption and organized crime—both, by the way, descended from the era of unscrupulous Spanish colonial rule.   I’ve written a bit about the Mexican culture, and also the Maya culture of Guatemala. One of the more interesting studies I did, with a colleague in Mexico City—Omar Vidal—was an analysis of biodiversity and cultural diversity throughout Mexico (the two together are called “biocultural diversity”).  We found the two to be tightly correlated, with biological diversity andcultural diversity (i.e., Indigenous diversity) trends closely linked. Areas of high biodiversity are also areas of high cultural diversity.  There’s a lot of attention on stemming the loss of biodiversity, but very little on slowing the loss of cultural diversity.   With 364 living languages, Mexico is the world’s fifth most linguistically diverse country.  But, 64 of these languages are facing a very high risk of disappearance.  Thirteen languages have already gone extinct in Mexico in historic times.   Mexico is also the world’s 4th most biodiverse country, but over a thousand species are currently threatened with extinction.  These threat patterns among languages and species are directly linked to one another.   19. What interested you specifically about the United States’ government, particularly the CIA’s involvement in Latin American politics and general affairs? Additionally, how does this subject appear as a backdrop in your books? During the 1980s I was traveling a good deal in Central America, including a year-long sabbatical living in Costa Rica.  I was collecting invertebrates along the coastlines of Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama, as well as working on a guide to the isopods of Costa Rica. It was a turbulent time in the region, with civil wars going on in El Salvador and Guatemala. It was also the era of the Banana Wars and President Ronald Reagan’s illegal attempts to overthrow the new democracy of Nicaragua. The CIA was involved everywhere, mostly in unscrupulous ways.  I found it all fascinating and began keeping copious notes, newspaper clippings, etc.  I always had the idea of writing a novel about those years—historical fiction.  I carried around my boxes of notes for 40 years before I finally retired and had time to start working on the book.  My first novel, In the Land of the Feathered Serpent , is what came out of it.   The book has been a success and won several national literary awards, including the 2022 BIBA Award for Best Contemporary Fiction.  It’s largely a memoir of my life in the 80s but it's multi-layered and is also a Homeric epic-style novel. It’s a big readand not for the faint of heart.   20. One of your latest books, The Time Travelers , showcases your appreciation for Aztec history quite thoroughly. May I ask what inspired you to write The Time Travelers , what your goals were with the book, and what the subject of the novel is? You can’t spend time in central or southern Mexico without confronting its deep roots in the Aztec culture.  It’s everywhere you turn. The name Mexico itself comes from the Mexica people who controlled the great Aztec Empire and built the first Mexico City. Aztec emperors and motifs appear on the country’s currency, in government, on buildings and street signs, throughout their version of the Spanish language, and in all the school books.   The Mexican people are a mestizo culture, nearly everyone having indigenous blood, most notably Aztec, or more properly, Nahuatl.  Having a lifelong interest in cultural anthropology, writing a story about the Aztec empire came naturally to me.  The most widespread Indigenous language in the New World is Uto-Aztecan, and today the largest group of Uto-Aztecan speakers is the Nahua People with over 1.3 million Nahuatl speakers in Mexico alone. Many of my closest friends in Mexico are Nahua or Nahua-dominant mestizos. The idea for Time Travelers was to educate the reader about these things while simultaneously entertaining them with a fun story.  The book won several awards, including an IPPY (Independent Press Award) for best Hispanic fiction of 2024.   21. In many of your works, your passions for Latin American history and the ocean interact and blend beautifully. How have these two passions interacted andplayed off of each other throughout your life? Although I’ve worked all over the world, I’ve always found Mexico-Central America the most interesting region, both in terms of biodiversity and culturally.  When competing opportunities arose, I always defaulted to Latin America. From 1978 to 1985 much of my work was ship-based in the Caribbean, primarily on islands that offer some of the best scuba diving in the world.  Those projects, largely searching for bioactive compounds in marine invertebrates, also included a good deal of manned submersible work.  Importantly, I never traveled to these destinations without adding in a few weeks of solo travel to absorb the countryside and the local culture.  Most attractive to me was the high country of Guatemala, homeland of the Maya People, many of whom still live today as they have for thousands of years. It was my notebooks of those travels that eventually gave birth to my first novel.   22. Focusing on one of your other passions, on your website you discuss your appreciation of martinis, as well as fine wine. What captivates you about martinis specifically and do you mind sharing your favorite martini recipe with our readers? The best martini is the simplest martini.  Two shots (per serving) of a clean gin, such as Hendricks, Fifty Pounds, or Tanqueray in an ice-filled shaker.  Shake vigorously.  Swirl a bit of Noilly Prat dry Vermouth around the inside of martini glasses fresh from the freezer, then toss the Vermouth out.  Pour the shaken gin into the glasses through a martini strainer and add three pimento-stuffed olives.   23. You have had a lengthy, extraordinary career. Across all of it, what would you say is your most memorable moment? No doubt, the first time I ever saw Wendy Moore, who is now my wife of 30 years.  It was truly love at first sight.   24. What has been your biggest triumph or proudest moment across your career? Very hard question!  Perhaps when my invertebrate textbook became an instant success and I knew I’d achieved my goal.  It took 10 years to write the first edition of that book.  Or perhaps it was when my second novel won an IPPY for best Hispanic novel of the year, or perhaps being made a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.   25. I’m sure that you have faced just as many challenges andsetbacks as you have leaps forward. What has been the biggest hurdle or challenge that you have faced across your career and how did you overcome it? We all face so many challenges and setbacks in our lives. I don’t think I could single out any particular one but I do know that in every case I just dug down, worked hard, and did what needed to be done, knowing that it, like everything, would pass. The more risks we take, the more likely we are to get knocked down, but the real mark of success is getting back up and carrying on.   One of my favorite quotes comes from Helen Keller: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”  We will never achieve our potential, become the person we wish to be, unless we have the resiliency to overcome life’s adversity, be a mindful participant, and not just a passive observer, and to get back up on our feet when we’re knocked down.   26. Do you have any advice for new marine scientists, aspiring marine biologists, and young people with a passion? Work hard, as hard as you can.  Read books, as many books as you can, including good literature.  Identify your passions andstrive to follow them as much as possible; therein lies your wellspring of joy and self-satisfaction.  Never give up.   27. Do you have any final words about your work, marine science, marine invertebrates, the Sea of Cortez, Latin American history, and the Southwestern United States? Life is short, take big bites; and always try to follow your dreams.     A lovely photograph of Dr. Richard C. Brusca, & his Goldendoodle, Marley, exploring Puget Sound, Washington State, USA. Credit to Wendy Moore.   Directories / Credits https://rickbrusca.com/http___www.rickbrusca.com_index.html/Welcome.html https://www.featheredserpent.onlin Strategic Partnerships Reel Guppy Outdoors SharkedSkooler Marine Enthusiasts Podcast Tides of Tomorrow Cash Daniels The Open Book, Topanga Olivenbaum Music Pitfire Artisan Pizza   Our Loyal Patrons P. R. Ochoa