vii
the positive attribute of being unencumbered by dogma. New, more expansive, and
more productive working relationships among the tripartite science community
(industry-government-academia) need to be nurtured.
This volume is dedicated to our mentors, C-IMAGE colleagues, and friends Drs.
John W. (“Wes”) Tunnell, Jr., John E. Reynolds, and Benjamin (“Ben”) Flower.
John W. (“Wes”) Tunnell, Jr. Wes had many roles
during his illustrious career in marine research, focusing on Gulf of Mexico studies. Working from his home
institution at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Wes conducted wide-ranging and important studies of the natural history of the Gulf. As a young researcher, Wes was
literally on the spot of the Ixtoc 1 oil well blowout in
1979–1980 along the Campeche coast of Mexico. His
studies located oil deposition centers along the
Campeche, Veracruz, and Tabasco coasts, northward to
south Texas. He and his students and collaborators
revisited these locations over the next 30 years. In 2016, the C-IMAGE-II consortium undertook the “Tunnell Trek” visiting these deposition locations to apply new
methods for understanding oil weathering over a nearly 40-year interval.
Wes was a central figure in conceiving the “OneGulf” concept to encourage
multinational research among scientists from Cuba, Mexico, and the United States.
Without his enthusiasm, patience, and sense of purpose, the international collaborations sponsored by GoMRI – many documented in this volume – would not have
occurred. We are forever grateful to our friend and colleague for his humor, generosity, dedication, and sage advice.
John E. Reynolds Dr. John Elliott Reynolds, III, was
an icon in the world of marine mammal science and
conservation. The volume and value of his science, and
his rare ability to understand, inspire, and lead those
around him, will ensure his lasting legacy. At the very
young age of 36, John was appointed by President
George H. W. Bush as Chair of the US Marine Mammal
Commission and was retained under Presidents Clinton,
G. W. Bush, and Obama. He had a keen interest in
helping to recover the health and integrity of the Gulf of
Mexico ecosystem after the Deepwater Horizon spill,
using sound conservation decisions that came both from the head and the heart. John
was the epitome of a “gentleman scholar” with his humor and gentle nature integrated
with his incredible knowledge and experience. The conservation world, and indeed
the world in general, is a lesser place without him.
Foreword and Dedication
the positive attribute of being unencumbered by dogma. New, more expansive, and
more productive working relationships among the tripartite science community
(industry-government-academia) need to be nurtured.
This volume is dedicated to our mentors, C-IMAGE colleagues, and friends Drs.
John W. (“Wes”) Tunnell, Jr., John E. Reynolds, and Benjamin (“Ben”) Flower.
John W. (“Wes”) Tunnell, Jr. Wes had many roles
during his illustrious career in marine research, focusing on Gulf of Mexico studies. Working from his home
institution at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Wes conducted wide-ranging and important studies of the natural history of the Gulf. As a young researcher, Wes was
literally on the spot of the Ixtoc 1 oil well blowout in
1979–1980 along the Campeche coast of Mexico. His
studies located oil deposition centers along the
Campeche, Veracruz, and Tabasco coasts, northward to
south Texas. He and his students and collaborators
revisited these locations over the next 30 years. In 2016, the C-IMAGE-II consortium undertook the “Tunnell Trek” visiting these deposition locations to apply new
methods for understanding oil weathering over a nearly 40-year interval.
Wes was a central figure in conceiving the “OneGulf” concept to encourage
multinational research among scientists from Cuba, Mexico, and the United States.
Without his enthusiasm, patience, and sense of purpose, the international collaborations sponsored by GoMRI – many documented in this volume – would not have
occurred. We are forever grateful to our friend and colleague for his humor, generosity, dedication, and sage advice.
John E. Reynolds Dr. John Elliott Reynolds, III, was
an icon in the world of marine mammal science and
conservation. The volume and value of his science, and
his rare ability to understand, inspire, and lead those
around him, will ensure his lasting legacy. At the very
young age of 36, John was appointed by President
George H. W. Bush as Chair of the US Marine Mammal
Commission and was retained under Presidents Clinton,
G. W. Bush, and Obama. He had a keen interest in
helping to recover the health and integrity of the Gulf of
Mexico ecosystem after the Deepwater Horizon spill,
using sound conservation decisions that came both from the head and the heart. John
was the epitome of a “gentleman scholar” with his humor and gentle nature integrated
with his incredible knowledge and experience. The conservation world, and indeed
the world in general, is a lesser place without him.
Foreword and Dedication