FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rosenstiel School Begins 2004-2005 Season
of Popular Sea Secrets Series

First lecture to unravel the mystery of sea turtle navigation

VIRGINIA KEY, FL (November 23, 2004) — Rosenstiel School and the Ocean Research and Education Foundation will begin the 2004-2005 season of Sea Secrets lectures with “Sea Turtle Navigation: Unraveling the Mystery” on Wed., December 8 at 6:15 p.m. in the Rosenstiel School Auditorium, 3600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Virginia Key. Dr. Kenneth J. Lohmann, a world-renowned sea turtle expert and professor of biology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, will present this lecture that is free to the public and that includes a reception at 5:30 p.m., preceding the event.

The long-distance migrations of sea turtles involve some of the most extraordinary feats of orientation and navigation in the animal kingdom. How sea turtles find their way across the sea's vast expanses has been an enduring mystery for many years. During the past decade, however, research has revealed that the remarkable navigational skills of sea turtles are based at least partly on several unusual and previously unknown sensory abilities. Dr. Lohmann reveals just what it takes to navigate the sea's unmarked highways and what researchers are just now revealing about the amazing orienteering skills of the sea turtles.

The Lawrence J. and Florence A. DeGeorge Charitable Trust, the Charles N. and Eleanor Knight Lee Foundation, and the International Oceanographic Foundation are sponsoring this year's monthly lecture series, titled Exploring Our Oceans. Rosenstiel School designed this series of evening programs specifically for the South Florida non-scientific community to learn more about our blue planet and to meet distinguished scientists and explorers from around the world.

All events are free and open to the public; however, seating is limited. For further information, please call (305) 421-4061.

The Complete Schedule:

Wednesday December 8, 2004
Sea Turtle Navigation: Unraveling the Mystery
Dr. Kenneth J. Lohmann
Professor of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The long-distance migrations of sea turtles involve some of the most extraordinary feats of orientation and navigation in the animal kingdom. How sea turtles find their way across the sea's vast expanses has been an enduring mystery for many years. During the past decade, however, research has revealed that the remarkable navigational skills of sea turtles are based at least partly on several unusual and previously unknown sensory abilities. Dr. Kenneth Lohmann reveals just what it takes to navigate the sea's unmarked highways and what researchers are just now revealing about the amazing orienteering skills of the sea turtle.

Thursday, January 20, 2005
A Tall Tale from Maine: Are lobsters really doing better than ever before?
Dr. Robert Steneck
Professor, School of Marine Sciences, Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation, University of Maine

Up yonder in Maine it seems the lobster catch is better than ever before and in New England that means high prices, working fishermen, and loads of those clawed delicacies. But because they rely very heavily on just one species, it is putting the coastal communities and their long heritage of fishing at risk. Dr. Bob Steneck, a lobster expert, will consider why lobsters are so abundant today and what future prospects and/or risks may lie ahead. He'll also explore what changes humans have wrought within the coastal marine ecosystem and discuss what may be needed to ensure that diners will have lobster and other seafood on the menu in the years to come.

Wednesday, February 16, 2005
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
Nathaniel Philbrick
Director, Egan Institute of Maritime Studies
Nantucket, Massachusetts

Prize-winning author Nathaniel Philbrick will tell the true story of the sinking of a Nantucket whaleship by a sperm whale in 1820. Not only did the incident inspire the climax of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick, it marked the beginning of one of the most harrowing survival tales of all time. Come to hear the astonishing account of 20 men who set off in three small boats with minimal food and water on a three month odyssey across 3000 miles of open ocean.

Wednesday March 16, 2005
Mapping the Unseen: High Tech Imaging of the Seafloor
Dr. Larry Mayer
Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping
University of New Hampshire

From a simple lead weight on a rope to new high-tech three-dimensional animations, mapping of the seafloor has come a very long way. Join us as world renown Dr. Larry Mayer takes us on an unbelievable journey from the early efforts to chart what lays at the ocean's bottom to today's spectacular visualizations using the latest in undersea mapping technology. Not only can we now chart previously unknown underwater volcanoes and deep-sea fissures, but scientists are also revealing unbelievable views of the seafloor, shipwrecks, and even the creatures that live there. If you thought charts have improved, wait till you see the images Dr. Mayer will unveil!

Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Surprising Marine Life of the Seafloor's Sand, Muck, and Rubble
Paul Humann
Underwater Photographer

Divers and snorkelers are drawn to coral reefs because of their abundance of colorful life. Most wouldn' t think to venture into the sand, muck, and rubble of the seafloor to observe stunning color or odd animal behaviors. But that's just what speaker Paul Humann has done. Known for his impressive and spectacular undersea photographs and guides, he'll take the audience “muck diving” around the world to see some of the sea's most wondrous and intriguing animals. From the ritual dances and fin flares of undersea mating to impressive color changes for camouflage or to entice the opposite sex, it's sure to be a surprising journey and one you don't want to miss.

The University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science ranks among the world's premier oceanographic research and teaching institutions. The Rosenstiel School is a global leader in the study of sea and air circulation, fisheries, coral reefs, climate change, and ocean conservation. The School celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2003.

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