Striking a final pose for visitors to Daulphin Island Estuarium is a skeleton of a tarpon, donated by Dr. Gareth Nelson. Nelson prepared the specimen from a fish he collected at The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.
Dr. Nelson began the tradition of collecting fish at the rodeo. He contributed a quarter of the marine species now residing in the American Museum of Natural History's extensive collection of over 10,000 skeletons.
Dr. Nelson built this premier collection by faithfully attending the Alabama event for decades until his retirement several years ago. His efforts have added to our understanding of evolution and anatomy.
