NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule implementing Amendment 9 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coral and Coral Reef Resources in Gulf of Mexico U.S. waters (Amendment 9). The final rule will be effective November 16, 2020. The rule establishes 13 new habitat areas of particular concern with fishing regulations, designates 8 new areas without fishing… Continue Reading Final Rule Implementing Coral Amendment 9 in Gulf of Mexico
Deep Sea Soft Corals
Deep-sea soft corals (Callogorgia spp.) are abundant foundation species (species which built main reef structure), often occurring as extensive fields of colonies in the upper bathyal region of the deep sea and found between 650 – 3280 feet deep. Colonies of soft corals create habitat for a wide variety of animals. They, often serve as nursery… Continue Reading Deep Sea Soft Corals
Deep Sea Black Corals
The deep-water environment found off the west coast of Florida proved to be a good habitat for diverse deep-water coral communities. Black corals (or Antipatharians) are a group of branching corals often associated with deep reef habitats. Although their exterior flesh is usually red, white, or orange, their internal skeleton is black. Black corals can live… Continue Reading Deep Sea Black Corals
Endangered Corals from the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf council produced a set of pamphlets which highlights basic information about Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed corals from the Gulf of Mexico. You can view the pamphlets by clicking the image below or could download all of them from here. Don’t forget to check our ESA Coral Explorer Application to know where these corals… Continue Reading Endangered Corals from the Gulf of Mexico
ESA Coral Explorer
In September 2014, NOAA Fisheries published a federal register notice that listed seven coral species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Council is collaborating with NOAA to host and maintain the ESA corals database in our coral portal. If you want to know where the corals are in the Gulf Of Mexico, check… Continue Reading ESA Coral Explorer