RSMAS

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

100 Years of Marine Biology

Rosenstiel School celebrates historic lab in the Dry Tortugas

VIRGINIA KEY, FL (September 13, 2005) — Rosenstiel School will celebrate the centennial birthday Oct. 13-15 for the renowned Carnegie Institute's Laboratory for Marine Biology, located in the Dry Tortugas from 1905 to 1939. The foundations of tropical marine science in the Western Hemisphere were established there. As part of this event, which is primarily directed at scientists, organizers also are hosting a series of public presentations on the evenings of Oct. 14 and 15 at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort in Key West.

Pioneering researchers in the Dry Tortugas, led by the visionary Alfred G. Mayer, first described and illustrated species of marine invertebrates, fish, and algae of the nearby coral reefs. Other researchers made the first systematic measurements of temperature, salinity and pH there, while still others explored the geology of southern Florida. Thirty-five volumes of monographs and reports, totaling 7,000 pages, developed into a bible-like compendium of tropical marine science for the entire tropical western Atlantic. Remarkably, these major accomplishments were made without modern field or laboratory equipment.

The public presentations are billed as two nights of exploration, adventure, and discovery, featuring illustrated evening lectures that will let the public explore with expert guides the human history, scientific discoveries, current ocean research, and future conservation plans that make the Dry Tortugas such a special place.

Friday, Oct. 14, 8-9:30 p.m.
Learn why people have been drawn to this isolated ocean crossroads for so long, hear stories of the pioneering scientists and their adventures at the Carnegie Laboratory, and see how scientists continue to discover amazing things about nature under the sea.

  • An Historical Perspective of Dry Tortugas, FL, What Makes It So Special? Mike T. Ryan, park ranger, Dry Tortugas National Park
  • How It All Began: a Brief History of the Carnegie Institution's Dry Tortugas Laboratory, Walter Jaap, marine biologist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • Tortugas Science Discoveries I: Sharks, Jose I. Castro, Ph.D., Mote Marine Laboratory

Saturday, Oct. 15, 8-9:30 p.m.
Hear tales from the past 70 years of sea bird investigations and be treated to a tour of current oceanographic research at this fascinating place. The closing session will reveal visions of the future for science and conservation at the Dry Tortugas from community leaders.

  • Tortugas Science Discoveries II: Double-Clutching Terns & Other Bird Tales, Sonny Bass, wildlife biologist, Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks
  • A Tour of Florida's Oceanographic Research, John C. Ogden, Ph.D., director, Florida Institute of Oceanography
  • The Future of Ocean Science and Conservation at Dry Tortugas, Billy Causey, superintendent, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and Dan Kimball, superintendent, Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks

For more information about the community outreach portion of this historic event, visit http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/conference/tortugas/, or e-mail tortugas@rsmas.miami.edu.

Rosenstiel School is part of the University of Miami and, since its founding in the 1940s, has grown into one of the world's premier marine and atmospheric research institutions.

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Media Contact: Ivy Kupec, 305.421.4704 (o), 305.984.7107 (m)