Latest news with #TarponSprings
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Odyssey Cruises in Tarpon Springs offers family friendly educational experiences
The Brief Odyssey Cruises is run by small business owner Adam Smith. The main tour is a two-hour dolphin and shelling cruise. TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - From dolphin sightings to seashell-covered shores, Odyssey Cruises gives guests a chance to experience the Gulf Coast like never before. It's a hands-on, educational experience built around wildlife, history and hidden treasure. Tarpon Springs' largest tour boat, owned and operated by Adam Smith, takes passengers from the historic Sponge Docks out to Anclote Key, a Florida state park only accessible by boat. "We try to keep it very educational, with a focus on family fun," Smith says. Its like "two tours in one," part of the time looking for dolphins, the rest shelling and swimming. Visitors can comb the shorelines for various shells and some lucky collectors may even stumble upon a Junonia, which Smith says is "a very rare shell that is found particularly on the gulf coast." "People that are experienced shellers will tell you that you don't find the shell - the shell finds you," Smith added. Local perspective For many in the Tampa Bay area, Odyssey Cruises has become a way to reconnect with Florida's natural coastline. The tours frequently draw shelling enthusiasts, hobbyists, and families alike. "Because it's pristine and undisturbed, it's a great place to go find shells. It's exciting having the folks come on board and show us their treasures." READ: City of Sarasota parking garages to go 'gateless' He's even seen guests turn their finds into hobbies or businesses. "A lot of folks get these seashells, take them home, clean them up, and make projects with them," he said. "They get very excited when they find the rare shells." Tours are available year-round, with departure times depending on the season, and can be booked on their website. The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jason Wright. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researching Goliath Grouper at the Tarpon Aquarium
The Brief A student seeking her Master's Degree is working on a new research project to show how smart the Goliath Grouper really is. Hannah Murray is creating her Master's Thesis project based on the interactions between the diver and the grouper. You can see Tarpon Aquarium's show with the 150-pound grouper each day. TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - A Master's Degree seeking students' chance to visit the Tarpon Aquarium gave birth to a new research project to show how smart the Goliath Grouper really is. What they're saying "I'm a master's student at Unity Environmental University, which is based up in Maine," shared Hannah Murray. "I'm getting my Master's Degree in Marine Science. I came here as a guest for the first time, and I happened to see Paige's show with Oscar and was thoroughly impressed." Oscar is a Goliath Grouper at the Tarpon Springs Aquarium and Animal Sanctuary. Twice a day, the staff at the aquarium put on a show in the 75,000-gallon aquarium to show visitors the amazing creatures that live underneath the surface of the Gulf waters. One of those is the 150-pound grouper. "We are really excited to hopefully get to display the intelligence of the Goliath grouper that hasn't really been studied before," shared Paige Konger Henry. She's one of the owners at the aquarium and the diver who enters the tank daily. "His name is Oscar the Grouch. He has been with my family for about 13 years." Murray reached out to Konger Henry to inquire about creating her Master's Thesis project based on the interactions between the diver and the grouper. READ: FWC reminds people to be safe as boaters take to the water this summer "When she gets into the tank, he is honestly so excited to see her," recalled Murray. That made for a perfect setup for the study to incorporate some simple intelligence markers. Paige Konger Henry described it this way: "Throughout this research we've been trying to get him to do, essentially, tricks. After he picks up the new desired behavior, the new trick, if you will, we wait a few weeks and then ask for the trick again to see if he remembers it." Murray logs the training and notes the duration of time and the result when Konger Henry calls for the trick to happen again. The compiled results are a part of the overall thesis project. For Konger Henry, she is hoping for a different educational value to come out of the research. "When we see a fish, I don't think we value them beyond the dinner plate." What you can do You can see Oscar perform twice a day and at noon at the Tarpon Springs Aquarium. They are located at 1722 North Pinellas Avenue in Tarpon Springs. For their hours and other show information, visit their website. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jason Wright. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
