*********************PHOTO/MEDIA OPPORTUNITY*******************

WHO: Dr. David McKee and Students from the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Marine Ecology Program

WHAT: 24-Hour Study of Oso Bay

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 25 at noon through Saturday, Jan. at 8 p.m. Best photo/interview opportunities at noon and 4 p.m. on Friday

WHERE: Naval Air Station Bridge on Ocean Drive

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Students in Dr. David McKee’s marine ecology classes will camp on the beach of Oso Bay to gather and study water specimens for the annual assessment of the bay’s health from noon Friday, Jan. 25 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 next to the Naval Air Station Bridge on Ocean Drive.

This is the 20th consecutive year that the University’s marine ecology class has conducted a 24-hour study to determine the presence and abundance of large and small fish and invertebrates. The students also measure water quality. After the results are tallied and analyzed the students are required to write an extensive research paper to describe the collections made and to compare this year with the previous 19 studies.