February 22, Thursday, Day 143

Ochlockonee River SP, Sopchoppy, Fl.

Yesterday we visited the Gulf Specimen Marine Labs (GSML),  an aquarium of sorts with an emphasis on education about marine biology. Not only do they have tanks of sea creatures that can be picked up or touched, but other tanks of hostile creatures such as moray eels that are definitely look only. Bus loads of children arrive daily during certain times of the year. Last time, we were among the excited throngs of kids. This year we were there virtually alone where we could speak with the staff about the concerns of overfishing vis-a-vis the plight of the fishermen. They were certainly concerned about both, but the reality is too many fish restaurants and dwindling fish populations. Not to mention increasing pollution levels in the waters,

GSML also provide marine specimens to universities and research centers across the south to help forestall the extinction of a great number of species besides turtles. They are located in Panacea, Fl. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to find a panacea for the survival of all these wonderful animals?

Seven Moray eels!