Led by a Marine Scientist, students will explore topics related to the way we harvest, control, protect, and distribute fresh seafood. Students will observe the crew deploy the Otter Trawl, a net designed to drag along the bottom of the channel and collect specimens important to the health and wealth of our marine ecosystem. As we drag the net, we will talk about careers in the Marine Fisheries field. Once we bring the net aboard, participants will delight in hands-on observation and sometimes, handling of marine species. Using the scientific method, we will ID species, record location and time of net deployment and discuss the importance of collecting measurable data. We will talk about regulations developed to protect our species (including sea turtles) and who is responsible for enforcing those regulations. We will talk about current opportunities and challenges facing Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, topics include energy harnessing (and the effects on fisheries), changing coastal climate, domestic vs. imported seafood, aquaculture, commercial and recreational fishing.