Eager Participates on Research Cruise Aboard the R/V Manta Kevin Eager (pictured above). Photo credit: ©Larry Hyde Kevin Eager, an Environmental Science MS student and research assistant at the Coastal and Marine Geospatial lab, had the opportunity to assist with a NOAA research cruise from April 28 to May 3, 2013, aboard the R/V Manta which embarked out of Galveston, TX. The objective of the cruise was to asses benthic habitat and fish communities on several banks in close proximity to the Flower Garden Banks using video and still photography from a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Operations onboard the Manta went smoothly with 4 straight days of calm weather and all data collected as planned. Data acquired from this cruise and other cruises in neighboring banks is used to evaluate the quality and sensitivity of these complex biological features to assess the need for ecological protection.  >> Read More