As summer sets in, so does the excitement of Discovery Channel's annual Shark Week. This year marks the sixth consecutive appearance of Dr. Kesley Banks, an Associate Research Scientist at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, during this thrilling celebration of sharks. Dr. Banks is widely recognized as an expert in shark-related research and conservation, making significant contributions to our understanding of these magnificent creatures. In this blog, we delve into the crucial role sharks play in ocean ecosystems and the efforts to conserve them for future generations.

In the winter, speckled trout begin to migrate from their traditional summer habitats in the shallower, warmer waters of bays and estuaries to deeper, cooler waters offshore. This migration is driven by a number of factors, including changes in water temperature, the availability of food, and the spawning cycle of the fish.