Why join the Friends of HRI? If you are concerned about the future of the Gulf of Mexico and the world’s oceans we offer you an opportunity to do something positive about it. Our goal is to help support the work of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, in its efforts to assure economic and environmental health. While their work is focused on the Gulf of Mexico, the results are applicable worldwide and bring a unique perspective to the conservation of our oceans.

The Harte Research Institute (HRI) is part of Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi and uses a multi-disciplinary approach to promote an ecologically and economically healthy Gulf of Mexico. The Harte Model is an integration of science, economic and policy expertise with the unique capacity to process the complex issues central to the health and sustainability of the incredible resource that is the Gulf of Mexico.

The Gulf of Mexico is a sea of contrast where a healthy economy and a healthy environment both coexist and contend with one another. The oil and gas resources of the Gulf provide the USA with 50% of its liquid natural gas, 44% of crude oil production and 43% of our natural gas. At the same time the fisheries of the Gulf annually contribute more than $8.2 billion dollars in economic benefits to this nation. The Gulf produces more finfish, shrimp, and shellfish annually than the south and mid-Atlantic, Chesapeake, and New England areas combined.

The future of the Gulf as a healthy economy and a healthy environment is in danger. Because the Gulf is a relatively shallow subtropical sea, where coastal margins are at low elevations, it is especially susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Sea level rise, habitat loss, subsidence and erosion, as well as, growing numbers of invasive species are significant issues. As a result the Gulf is likely the most vulnerable region in the nation to the impacts of climate change and that threatens the energy and environmental security of North America.

This is why your support of the Friends of HRI is so important. You have the opportunity to follow the lead of our founder, Ed Harte, and make a difference. Help us bring the expertise of HRI and all the potential it represents to bear on these seemingly over-whelming challenges. Help build the framework to assure a healthy and productive Gulf of Mexico for both present and future generations. Please join us in this important work.