Deep-sea corals are of particular conservation concern due to their slow growth rates and vulnerability to disturbance. Predicitive modeling of deep-sea coral habitat can aid conservation planning, inform management of offshore activities affecting the seafloor, and guide exploration. Modeling can also lend insights into the environmental factors driving the distribution of deep-sea corals, helping to… Continue Reading Predictive Modeling of Deep-sea Coral Habitat
Gray snappers (Lutjanus griseus aka mangrove snapper) are widely distributed from Florida to Brazil, the Caribbean, and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Juvenile and sub-adult gray snapper require seagrass habitats for nurseries and protection before transitioning into adults. Sudden decreases in access to red snapper (such as the reductions in season length from 2007 to… Continue Reading Gray Snapper Management
Want to go for a swim? How about down around 1,300 feet? You’re going to need a submarine for that, so unless you’re friends with Elon Musk or James Cameron it’s probably not going to happen, BUT… you CAN go exploring with the crew of the R/V Nancy Foster, which sent down an ROV to… Continue Reading NOAA Southeast Deep Coral Initiative
Did you know that as of March 2011, the Gulf of Mexico had 295 marine protected areas? But not all of these are created equally – they can have varying levels of regulation and are managed by different organizations. Needless to say, marine protected areas can be a confusing topic. This storyboard aims to clear… Continue Reading Let’s Talk Closed Areas
Goliath grouper are the largest grouper in the Gulf of Mexico; reaching 8 feet in length and weighing up to 850 lbs. This impressive species was historically depleted but has made quite a comeback. Unfortunately, interactions between goliath grouper and anglers still occur, and these interactions plus their increased abundance has led to controversy over… Continue Reading Goliath Grouper
