Texas Gulf Coast Council of Diving Clubs
The Texas Gulf Coast Council of Dive Clubs (TGCC) is a 501c4 non-profit organization of diving clubs that seeks to promote the safe recreational sport of scuba diving. TGCC member clubs participate in shared activities, learning events, and recreational activities in an effort to promote club participation among new and experienced divers in scuba diving. TGCC is also the sponsor of TrashFest, one of the nations oldest aquatic clean-up projects, after which many other activities have been modeled.
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Banquet pictures are now online
The pics from the 2009 TGCC Banquet are now available in the Photo Gallery for your viewing. If you see any pictures with missing or incorrect credits, please notify the webmaster.
Biology of Coral Reefs seminar
Dick Zingula is presenting his full day seminar "Biology of Coral Reefs" on September 12, 2009. Seminar will be held at Bayland Community Center. Cost is only $10. If you pay by paypal you must still mail or fax Dick the form. See attached flyer. This is a TGCC Sanctioned Event.
2009 TGCC Officers
2009 TGCC Officers have been elected and appointed. Todd Hasken will be the new President and Mark Leiserowitz will be the new 1st Vice President. Re-elected positions are George Clark (2nd Vice President), John Ringrose (Treasurer), and Todd Rushing (Secretary). Joanne Vest will be the new Trashfest Chairperson. Re-appointed positions are Frank Burek (Donations), Todd Hasken (Webmaster), and Todd Rushing (Editor). See the TGCC Board page.
Trashfest 2008 was gr8!
Thanks to everyone who took part in TrashFest 2008. It was another fantastic year! For the official results and summary, see the Trashfest homepage. Check out the video!
New FGBNMS Research Vessel Christened

R/V Manta
©2008 Joyce & Frank Burek
R/V Manta, a state of the art research vessel for the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, was officially dedicated at a ceremony on June 27, 2008. Festivities took place at Pier 21 in Galveston, TX. Invited dignitaries and other guests were treated to a color guard processional provided by Boy Scout Troop 207, music by the Texas Brass Ensemble, presentation of a NOAA Environmental Hero award, and the traditional champagne christening of the vessel by Dr. Sylvia Earle. For more information...
Dick Zingula does it again
FGBNMS has selected Dick Zingula, sanctuary volunteer, as a NOAA Environmental Hero for 2008. This document also lists some of his accomplishments.
Congratulations to our 2008 Scholarship winners
The council was impressed by the number and quality of the applicants this year. The council even decided to dig a little deeper and issue more awards than planned. Unfortunately we were not able to issue awards to all the fine applicants. Congratulations to the successful applicants this year.
 
Katie Springs, CHUM & TGCC
Charles Lundquist, HUPS
Michael Collier, HUC & HUPS
Erin Doland, CHUM & TGCC
Alice McDonald, CHUM
Mardi Gras Wrasse
Frank and Joyce Burek have received numerous awards; the latest is having a newly discovered fish named after them - the Mardi Gras Wrasse, Latin name Halichoeres burekae.
 
News Links
Keep up with your scuba diving community with these additional independent news links.