In a paper published in Marine Biology, Dr. Nancy Foster Scholar Joshua Stewart and sanctuary researchers Marissa Nuttall, Emma Hickerson, and Dr. Michelle Johnston suggest that Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and the area surrounding it may represent the first documented nursery habitat for oceanic manta rays (Manta birostris) and a potential new species of manta (Manta cf. birostris).
In light of the fact that oceanic manta rays were recently listed as threatened under the Endanger Species Act, this is quite significant. The protections provided within the sanctuary keep juvenile mantas relatively safe from threats affecting them in other parts of the world.
We always knew this place was special. This new finding just makes it more so!
Alex Leva, left, and Tim Long with a mixed bag of fish.
Blue Wave Boats is excited to announce that long-time industry professional, Alex Leva has joined the company as manufacturer representative and director of fishing.
In his new role with the brand, Leva will be responsible for manufacturer and dealer relations in Florida and the entire East Coast.Steven Parks, Blue Wave president commented, “We are thrilled to bring Alex on board.Not only is he well respected for his work with other leading boat brands, he’s got a great eye for design, growth and marketing opportunities.His experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow the brand.”
Leva is a 33-year veteran in the boating industry, having most recently served as president of HydraSports Custom Boats. Under his leadership HydraSports Custom brought the world’s largest center console, the 53 Suenos, to market.
A little-known fact is in 1999 Leva visited the Blue Wave facility in Oklahoma with his friend and fishing buddy, Tim Long, to explore positions as reps.While Leva decided to stay with HydraSports, Long joined Parks Manufacturing and became a minor partner in 2017.Leva remained close to his friend Tim as well as the Parks family, who developed the Blue Wave and Silver Wave brands of boats.
Leva states, “What attracted me to the Blue Wave brand in the first place is what brings me back today; the versatility, performance and pricing of the boats is without comparison in the industry.”Leva is especially drawn to the 2800 Pure Hybrid and the 2400 Pure Bay for their inshore, skinny water capabilities and their ability to run 40 miles offshore into the Gulf.Leva goes on to say, “These hulls are magic.I totally understand why the Blue Wave brand is the go-to boat for the top guides in Texas and Louisiana.It’s going to be a lot of fun bringing these boats to Florida and the East Coast.”
About Blue Wave Boats
Blue Wave was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Seminole, OK. Blue Wave builds bay boats from 20’ to 28.’In 2017 Blue Wave announced the 2800 Pure Hybrid, the world’s largest bay boat.This model immediately gained the boating industry’s attention, even earning a Best Boat title from Florida Sportsman Magazine.
EuroSport Marine is all about supporting the yachting lifestyle.They import ZAR Formenti Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB’s) from Italy.
The ZAR Mini line is a rugged aluminum boat that is lightweight and practical.Coach boats, fishing boats, lightweight tenders, and other uses make this a cost-effective solution for many.This boat is like the ‘standard’ RIB most people think about where the tubes are wrapped around the hull.There are many center console options and can be easily customized to fit a broad range of uses.
The ZAR ZF is the ZAR Formenti high end tender line that ranges in size from 10 ft to 15 ft in one-foot increments.The ZF series has all the features of the ZAR Sport Boat line, in a more compact package.It allows a yacht owner to dial in exactly the size of boat to fit a particular swim platform or davit.
The ZAR Formenti Sport Boat line is the top of the line RIB made anywhere.Along with the ZF line, the sport boats are all hand made in a small village in Italy outside Milan.These stunning boats are unlike any other RIB on the market, and are a must see.
See all these boats in EuroSport’s showroom located at 804 Anders Lane in Kemah.Give them a call at 1-832-308-0190 anytime or stop by and visit them.
Bay Oil Company, a fourth generation, family-owned business, has been serving fuels and lubricants to Houston and the surrounding areas since 1921.We proudly introduce our new Marine Division, providing non-ethanol fuel to vessels and fleets of all types throughout the greater Galveston Bay system and Houston Ship Channel.
United States Coast Guard approved for over-the-water transfers, we can deliver fuel to you, service dockside fueling, or you can bring your trailered boat to our on-site bulk facility.On-demand service, 24/7 live dispatch, and customizable delivery schedules set us apart.Bay Oil Company’s Marine Division is committed to providing the highest quality fuels and services to our clients—keeping you fueled up and on time!
In the Galveston Bay system, we are currently providing fuel to the following client types:tug boats and barges, racing and pleasure boats, fishing guides, cruise lines, shipping companies, emergency and repair services, fishing fleets and luxury yachts.Our family lives right here in the Bay Area and we all own boats and love the water.It was only natural to expand our Bay Oil Company to provide products and services to our friends in the marine industry.
(From left to right) Colie Blumenshine, Bob Drisgill, and Kelly Groce took home 1st place Heaviest Stringer – Guided for the second year in a row at the 2017 Ladies Casting for Conservation fishing tournament.
Bob Drisgill of Mangus II Charters was their guide again for this year’s tournament. The beginning of the day started out slow with storms brewing in the distance, but they managed to dodge all the rain. Around 10:30am things changed and they caught trout from 20-25 inches. Colie Blumenshine ended up catching her personal best trout which was 25 inches.
Ladies Casting for Conservation is a fun fishing tournament and also raises funds to keep our bay beautiful. We would like to thank the Galveston Bay Foundation and all the other sponsors of this tournament for putting on a great event. The ladies were especially excited about their new Castaway Rods that they won along with their plaque. We at Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine are looking forward to being a sponsor and participating in next year’s tournament.
Colie Blumenshine’s personal best trout, 25 inches.
Four years ago we started a boating magazine for Galveston Bay. My background was racing sailboats. I had done it all my life and I still enjoy doing it today. So, that’s what we did. We covered regattas, cruising out to Red Fish, and of course junior sailing.
Early on our readers informed us that they also like to fish along with sailing. We got the message. Now we cover both; offshore fishing and bay fishing along with the yachting scene. It’s been a great four years and we’re looking forward to the next four.
Thank you to all of our advertisers, writers, photographers, contributors and readers. We can’t do what we do without you. Now make sure your boat is in good working order and stay safe. Hope to see you on the bay.
Buggy Whippin: Galveston sight casting with Capt. Clay Sheward
The water is still and so am I. The redfish swims along a flat, that is painted with a palette of green sea grass and dull colored sand, unaware of ou...
Have you ever been fishing with friends and either you or they were catching fish while the other person was not? Well, if you were using artificial ...
