NCCOS Awards $1.7M to Support Habitat Connectivity Research in National Marine Sanctuaries
by the current and future configurations of seagrass beds will help optimize MPA design for species using multiple habitats.Texas A&M University, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, University of Florida, University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center received $740,629 to investigate habitat requirements and connectivity for key reef-associated fish species in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and surrounding areas. Understanding how fish populations use these habitats
Video: Retired Ship Sunk to Form Artificial Reef
would ensure diver safety,” said Jackson, explaining that contractors were tasked with removing debris, certain types of pipes and other parts that could become loose or dislodged in saltwater over time. The Kraken’s new resting place is in close proximity to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, a triad of coral reef systems popular with divers and fishermen located about 100 miles off the Gulf Coast. A video of the sinking is available here. This is the second ship-reefing project Matrix has undertaken for the Texas Parks & Wildlife since 2014
Why is Coral Dying at East Flower Garden Bank?
Normally the reefs of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) are considered to be the healthiest in the region, but now scientists from around the world are trying to figure out what’s behind a mysterious event in the area that’s killed thousands of coral colonies and associated reef invertebrates. On July 25, sport divers on the M/V Fling reported green, hazy water, huge patches of ugly white mats on corals and sponges, and dead animals littering the bottom at East Flower Garden Bank, buoy #4. The charter captain notified FGBNMS and the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy
Peering into Ocean Depths with Eyes in the Back of Your Head
OceanGate and Battelle combined undersea technologies to explore mysteries of the Gulf of Mexico’s Flower Garden Banks When OceanGate’s Cyclops 1 dove deep into the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, it did so with an extra set of all-seeing eyes. Mounted to the five-man submersible was the Battelle HorizonVue, a video camera that provides real-time, live video with a 360-degree view. The camera helped the crew during its expedition this week that kicked off the “Eye on the Sanctuaries Tour,” exploring ocean depths to 500 meters (1,600 feet) to
Underwater Image Competition Winners Announced
Maritime OE14-408 Digital Stills Camera. The image was captured on a Shakedown Cruise with a new Sub-Atlantic Mohawk ROV, purchased by the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation and operated by the university. The shakedown cruise was on the R/V Manta and the team was working with the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary out of Galveston. The other joint winner was Patrick O'Driscoll, who submitted Standard Definition video footage from the Kongsberg Maritime OE14-366 Colour Zoom Camera acquired using the Irish Marine Institute's ROV Holland 1 during the 2011 Venture expedition, which
GoM Sale Yields $110m in High Bids
the development of the Gulf’s offshore oil and gas resources, while protecting the human, marine and coastal environments and ensuring a fair return to the American people," said Connor. Today’s sale offered all unleased areas (excluding those located in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary) in the Western Gulf of Mexico planning area, including 4,026 tracts from nine to more than 250 miles off the coast, in depths ranging from 16 to more than 10,975 feet (five to 3,346 meters). BOEM estimates the lease sale could result in the production of 116 to 200 million barrels
February 2024
