**Cruise Plan for NOAA OE Expedition: November 7-21^st^ 2005**

Date: October 12, 2005

To: Tim Askew, Director of Marine Operations

cc: Captain Ralph van Hoek, Scientific Participants, Debbie ???, NOAA OE

From: Sandra Brooke, John Reed, Charles Messing.

Subject: Cruise Plan

*R/V SEWARD JOHNSON* and *JSL* Submersible

Nov. 7-21, 2005

**PROJECT TITLE:** "Exploration of Deep-water Coral Ecosystems off the
Coast of Florida- Mapping and Habitat Characterization"

**DURATION OF PROJECT:** Nov. 7-21, 2005

**INVESTIGATORS:**

Dr. Sandra Brooke- Chief Scientist, University of Oregon

John Reed- Principal Investigator; Harbor Branch Oceanographic
Institution

Charles Messing - Principal Investigator, Nova Southeastern University

**Contact Person:**

Sandra Brooke

Oregon Institute of Marine Biology

PO Box 5389,

Charleston, OR 97420

Tel: 541-888-2581 x318

Email: sbrooke@darkwing.uoregon.edu

# RESEARCH VESSEL:

# *R/V SEWARD JOHNSON*

Registration Number- FL7833EH

Call Sign- WST9756

Gross Tons- 263 RNT

LOA- 204 ft. (62.2 m)

Draft- 12 ft. (3.6 m)

Master- Ralph van Hoek

**FUNDING SOURCES:**

NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration

Budget: November 7-21, 2005 (14 days total)

**AREAS OF OPERATION:**

US EEZ at depths of 200 to 3000 ft, on continental shelf and slope off
Florida, including:

Area 1: Florida Hatteras Slope and Straits of Florida- Jacksonville to
Miami Florida; Lophelia lithoherms and bioherms; depths 2000- 2800 ft.

Area 2: Miami Terrace and Escarpment- Boca Raton to South Miami; Miocene
rock escarpment, hard bottom community; depths 900- 2400 ft.

Area 3: Pourtales Terrace and Escarpment- Florida Keys, Key Largo to Key
West; bioherms and sinkholes, hard bottom community; depths 600- 1800
ft.

Area 4: New Exploration Areas- 1) Agassiz and Tortugas Valleys- Florida
Keys, Key West- Tortugas; potential rock escarpments, hard bottom
communities; depths 2000- 3000 ft; 2) Straits of Florida- Fort
Lauderdale to Florida Keys; potential *Lophelia* bioherms; depths 2000-
2800 ft.

**PERMITS FOR COLLECTIONS AND OPERATIONS**

A Letter of Acknowledgment has been obtained by the Chief Scientist from
NOAA National Marine Fisheries for collections within the US EEZ.

**PROJECT SUMMARY:**

With the continuing global depletion of coastal fisheries, commercial
fishing vessels are moving into deeper water and exploiting fish and
crustacean species that are frequently associated with complex coral
structures. Deep-sea coral ecosystems (DSCE) exist at numerous locations
around the coast of Florida. These coral communities provide habitat for
relatively unknown but highly diverse assemblages of fish and
invertebrates, many of which are undoubtedly undescribed species. There
is therefore an urgent need to identify these coral habitats, map their
distribution and abundance, and document any potentially valuable
fishery species associated with them. Resource managers can use this
information to develop conservation policy and scientists can use it as
a foundation for hypothesis driven ecological and physiological
research. Since deepwater reefs are not visible to the general public,
dissemination of information through the media and the education system
is vital in order to create empathy for their protection. The
overarching objective of this proposal is to increase the current
understanding of deep-water coral habitats along Florida's coasts.
Primary objectives use shipboard technology and the JSL submersible to
map coral distribution and characterize communities (particularly
commercial fisheries' species) found in association with high-relief
geological features in four regions of interest: the base of the
Florida-Hatteras Slope, the Miami and Pourtalès Terraces, and the SW
Florida shelf slope. Secondary objectives address aspects of coral
biology, diversity and biogeography of associated fauna, and microbial
ecology. The proposed research will not only provide important
information about the deepwater coral ecosystems off the Florida coast,
but also contains a significant outreach element.

**SCIENTIFIC PARTICIPANTS**:

+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| **Name** | **Affiliation**      | # Ro   | # Email            | # |
|          |                      | le on  |                    |   |
|          |                      | cruise |                    | L |
|          |                      |        |                    | e |
|          |                      |        |                    | g |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Sandra   | Oregon Inst. Marine  | Chief  | sbrooke@da         | B |
| Brooke   | Biology              | Sci    | rkwing.uoregon.edu | o |
|          |                      | entist |                    | t |
|          |                      |        |                    | h |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| John     | HBOI                 | PI     | jreed@hboi.edu     | B |
| Reed     |                      |        |                    | o |
|          |                      |        |                    | t |
|          |                      |        |                    | h |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Charles  | Nova Southeastern    | PI     | <mess              | B |
| Messing  | University           |        | ingc@nsu.nova.edu> | o |
|          |                      |        |                    | t |
|          |                      |        |                    | h |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| R. Grant | Estuarine, Coastal   | Sci    | [rggilmo           | 1 |
| Gilmore  | and Ocean Science    | entist | rej@aol.com](https | ^ |
|          |                      |        | ://darkwing-mail.u | s |
|          |                      |        | oregon.edu/mail/ef | t |
|          |                      |        | YCb9k7Phl2nv3sZaP7 | ^ |
|          |                      |        | VNg1nFunkn/mail?ac |   |
|          |                      |        | tioncompose=1&to=r |   |
|          |                      |        | ggilmorej@aol.com) |   |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Cheryl   | U.S. Geological      | Sci    | cmorrison@usgs.gov | 2 |
| Morrison | Survey               | entist |                    | ^ |
|          |                      |        |                    | n |
|          |                      |        |                    | d |
|          |                      |        |                    | ^ |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Julie    | University of        | Sci    | jolson@bama.ua.edu | 2 |
| Olson    | Alabama              | entist |                    | ^ |
|          |                      |        |                    | n |
|          |                      |        |                    | d |
|          |                      |        |                    | ^ |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Valerie  | Smithsonian Marine   | Sci    | paul@sms.si.edu    | 1 |
| Paul     | Station              | entist |                    | s |
|          |                      |        |                    | t |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Anja     | Smithsonian Marine   | Sci    | schulze@sms.si.edu | 1 |
| Schulze  | Station              | entist |                    | s |
|          |                      |        |                    | t |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| R.       | Smithsonian Marine   | Sci    | Ritson-W           | 2 |
| Ritson-  | Station              | entist | illiams@sms.si.edu | n |
| Williams |                      |        |                    | d |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| M.       | Smithsonian Marine   | Sci    | Puglisi@sms.si.edu | 2 |
| Puglisi  | Station              | entist |                    | n |
|          |                      |        |                    | d |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| William  | University of        | Sci    | <ws                | B |
| S        | Alabama              | entist | chroeder@disl.org> | o |
| chroeder |                      |        |                    | t |
|          |                      |        |                    | h |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Tracy    | Space Coast Jr/Sr    | T      | tea                | B |
| Griffin  | High School          | eacher | chgriff@cfl.rr.com | o |
|          |                      | at Sea |                    | t |
|          |                      |        |                    | h |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| E        | Broward County       | T      | elisabeth.jacobi@  | 1 |
| lizabeth | School District      | eacher | browardschools.com | s |
| Jacobi   |                      | at Sea |                    | t |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| TBD      |                      | T      |                    | 2 |
|          |                      | eacher |                    | n |
|          |                      | at sea |                    | d |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| J.       | Smithsonian          | Sci    | hara               | B |
| Ha       | Institution          | entist | sewych@nmnh.si.edu | o |
| rasewych |                      |        |                    | t |
|          |                      |        |                    | h |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Cindy    | NOAA Office of Ocean | OE     | Cin                | B |
| Renkas   | Exploration          |        | dy.renkas@noaa.gov | o |
|          |                      |        |                    | t |
|          |                      |        |                    | h |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Don      | NOAA Office of Ocean | OE     | Donal              | B |
| Collins  | Exploration          |        | d.collins@noaa.gov | o |
|          |                      |        |                    | t |
|          |                      |        |                    | h |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Doug     | Flower Gardens       | Sci    | Do                 | 2 |
| Weaver   | Marine Sanctuary     | entist | ug.Weaver@noaa.gov | ^ |
|          |                      |        |                    | n |
|          |                      |        |                    | d |
|          |                      |        |                    | ^ |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Dino     | BECON                | Videog | dino.decesare@     | 1 |
| Decesare |                      | rapher | browardschools.com | ^ |
|          |                      |        |                    | s |
|          |                      |        |                    | t |
|          |                      |        |                    | ^ |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Robert   | BECON                | Videog | robert.giglio@     | 1 |
| Giglio   |                      | rapher | browardschools.com | s |
|          |                      |        |                    | t |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Johanna  | NTNU, Norway         | S      | johanna.jar        | B |
| J        |                      | tudent | negren@bio.ntnu.no | o |
| arnegren |                      |        |                    | t |
|          |                      |        |                    | h |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Joe      | Blue Land Media      | Videog | <jb@               | 2 |
| Bruncsak |                      | rapher | bluelandmedia.com> | n |
|          |                      |        |                    | d |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| S        | Nova Southeastern    | S      | sfarring@nova.edu  | B |
| tephanie | University           | tudent |                    | o |
| Fa       |                      |        |                    | t |
| rrington |                      |        |                    | h |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Jim      | Nova Southeastern    | Sci    | tho                | 2 |
| Thomas   | University           | entist | masjd@nsu.nova.edu | n |
|          |                      |        |                    | d |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Ahna     | Oregon Institute of  | S      | va                 | 2 |
| VanGaest | Marine Biology       | tudent | ngaest@uoregon.edu | n |
|          |                      |        |                    | d |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Amanda   | UNCW                 | S      | amm0682@uncw.edu   | 2 |
| Maness   |                      | tudent |                    | n |
|          |                      |        |                    | d |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| Martin   | NTNU, Norway         | Tech   |                    |   |
| L        |                      | nician |                    |   |
| udvigsen |                      |        |                    |   |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+
| JP       | Broward County       | Supe   | jpkeener@          | 1 |
| Keener   | Schools District     | rvisor | browardschools.com | s |
|          |                      |        |                    | t |
+----------+----------------------+--------+--------------------+---+

**OBJECTIVES**:

As its overarching objective, this proposal will increase current
understanding of DSCEs along Florida's coasts. Previous explorations
have documented that these habitats are widespread in the region, but we
still know very little about the extent or distribution of the corals,
their ecology or their role as essential fish habitat, which are all
substantial justification for further effort. Primary objectives explore
the distribution and characterization of communities found in
association with lithoherms and other high relief, live-bottom,
geological features in the regions of interest. Secondary objectives
address aspects of coral biology, diversity of associated fauna, and
microbial ecology. Education and public outreach efforts are also a
significant aspect of this proposal.

**Primary objectives:**

1.  Map selected deep-water, high relief ecosystems that support coral
    communities. These sites include lithoherms and high-relief
    escarpments along the east coast of Florida from Jacksonville to
    Miami.

2.  Characterize selected sites using *in situ* observations from the
    JSL Submersible, video transects, digital images and collections of
    macrofauna. Collect and inventory dominant cnidarians and sponges.

3.  Identify dominant fish species associated with coral communities,
    especially those appropriate for current or future fisheries
    exploitation. Document aggregations or spawning behavior.

4.  Collect and inventory other associated fauna from coral communities,
    and identify key species common to all regions and endemic to each.

5.  Describe the geology (e.g., substrate type, topography) and
    hydrography (e.g., prevailing current, water temperature) at each
    site, and identify the characteristic features of each region.

**Secondary objectives:**

1.  Collect samples of *L. pertusa* from each study site for analysis of
    reproductive status, growth rates, and colony morphology.

2.  Collect samples of *L. pertusa* for inclusion in a larger scale
    population genetic analysis of this species, currently being
    conducted through USGS.

3.  Characterize the microbial communities associated with colonies of
    *Lophelia* *pertusa* and other habitat-forming coral species,
    ambient water and surrounding sediment.

4.  Conduct preliminary investigations of the chemical richness of
    deepwater octocorals by analyzing selected species for
    concentrations and types of marine natural products.

5.  Provide opportunities for area teachers to accompany the research
    cruise, to learn about these deep-water environments, to develop
    classroom materials and a video record that will be incorporated
    into classroom learning experiences throughout the state. Develop a
    video record of the expedition for public consumption.

6.  Investigate population genetics of deepwater Pleurotomariid
    gastropods

**METHODS**:

1\) Collections- Samples will be collected in deep water (50-1000 m)
with the *Johnson-Sea-Link (JSL)* Research Submersible and the support
ship R/V *Seward Johnson*. The *JSL* will be equipped with a manipulator
arm which includes clam-shell grab, jaws, and suction hose; 12-bin
rotating basket; color video camera; digital still camera; and a data
recorder to log time, temperature, conductivity, salinity, and depth.

2)  Samples- Marine invertebrates (primarily sponges, cnidaria,
    mollusks, echinoderms) will be collected. At each site, generally
    two submersible dives are planned for each day of operations. An
    average of 5-10 samples will be collected during a dive. Average
    sample size generally will range from 50-500 g.

3)  Environmental Impact- Collections will be highly selective and of
    minimal impact to the environment or species populations. Large
    colonial organisms (e.g., gorgonians, sponges) should be collected
    to leave the base and most of the colony intact. CITES species will
    not be collected without special permits.

4)  Permits - National Marine Fisheries (NMF) Letter of Authorization
    for deep-water collections has been obtained.

5)  Ship and Sample Positions- Collection site coordinates will be
    determined with GPS navigation (Magnavox MX 200 Global Positioning
    System). Plots of each submersible dive track and specific sample
    sites will be made with the Integrated Mission Profiler (IMP), a
    software database developed by Florida Atlantic University that ties
    into the ship\'s GPS system.

6)  Site and Sample Documentation- Collection site descriptions,
    including latitude, longitude, habitat, depth, temperature,
    salinity, current, and weather conditions; along with sample
    descriptions, including morphology, color, abundance, taxonomy, and
    photographic reference for each sample will be recorded in a
    database which will be archived at OIMB, HBOI and NOVA Southeastern
    University.

7)  Photography- Samples will be photographed *in-situ* with the
    submersible using a Canon Power Shot G2 digital camera, 2272 x 1704
    pixels high resolution images (4.1 million pixels). Color videotapes
    (digital mini DV) will be recorded with the *JSL*\'s pan and tilt
    video camera (Sony DX2 3000A with Canon J8X6B KRS lens, 6-48 mm
    zoom, and 0.3 m minimum focus), which has two laser dots (25 cm
    apart) for scale. Each sample will photographed in the ship\'s
    laboratory with a ruler and sample number against a gray background
    using digital media (Nikon Coolpix 990 with Nikon SB-22S strobe) and
    stored on CD ROM.

8)  Museum Specimens- Museum voucher specimens will be subsampled from
    each sample and stored in 20 ml scintillation vials for small
    vouchers and in 2-16 oz glass jars for larger vouchers. Specimens
    will be archived in Reference Museums such as NMNH.

9)  Taxonomy- Preliminary field identifications will be made on board
    the ship and following the cruise by Stephen Cairns and John Reed
    (gorgonacea, scleractinia, stylasterina), Chuck Messing (crinoidea,
    misc. invertebrates), Jerry Harasewych (mollusks). Specimens will be
    shipped to other taxonomic specialists for verification or further
    work up, as necessary.

10) Microbiology- Samples of each coral (living and dead), ambient
    water, and adjacent sediment will be preserved in sterile buffer and
    frozen at -20^o^C until use. DNA will be extracted from each sample
    and bacterial DNA will be amplified. Banding patterns obtained from
    the various samples will be compared and bands that are distinctive
    to particular environments or samples will be excised, re-amplified,
    cloned, and sequenced. Sequences will be used for phylogenetic
    analyses and preliminary taxonomic identifications.

11) Chemical Ecology Specimens of the most abundant species of
    octocorals collected in the four regions will be immediately frozen
    for subsequent analysis of their marine natural products. Shallow
    water octocorals produce high concentrations of diverse types of
    secondary metabolites; however, similar studies of the chemical
    diversity of deep-water octocorals have not been conducted. Dr.
    Paul's research group will isolate and characterize major
    metabolites in the octocorals that are most abundant and examine
    within- and between-colony variation in the compounds. Results for
    the deep-water octocorals will be compared with their closest
    shallow water relatives to begin to understand the chemical
    diversity of octocorals in these deep-water habitats.

**Cruise logistics**:

Areas of operation may include the east and south coast of Florida
within US EEZ to depths of 3000 feet from Jacksonville to Dry Tortugas,
including Florida Hatteras Slope, Straits of Florida, Miami Terrace,
Pourtales Terrace, Agassiz Valley and Tortugas Valley. Dive sites may
include the following habitats: deep-water *Lophelia* coral reefs,
lithoherms, bioherms and pinnacles; deep water sinkholes.

# Distances

Site Distance (\~nm) Time (<~hr@10kn>)

HBOI-\> Ft. Pierce Inlet 2

Ft. Pierce (FP)-\> Ft. Laud, Miami Terrace (MT) 90 9

MT, Miami-\> Pourtales Terrace (PT), Marathon 90 9

PT, Key West-\> SW Florida lithoherms 120 12

# Itinerary 

Scientific personnel plan to operate in two legs and switch personnel in
Dania Beach Ft Lauderdale on November 13th. In general, two sub dives
are planned each non-transit day, with scientific personnel alternating
dives. Pilot training dives (\~every 10 dives) will be part of the
scientific dive rotation.

**Leg 1** (November 7- 13) Principal Investigators- Brooke, Reed,
Messing; Florida Hatteras Slope, Straits of Florida, Jacksonville to
Jupiter; Lophelia mounds. Dive sites will be selected daily with
consideration of transit times to next day's dive site and weather
conditions. In general, the first few days will be spent in region of
northeastern and central Florida from Jacksonville to Jupiter, working
down to Fort Lauderdale in time for an exchange of 4-6 personnel on
November 13th in Dania Beach.

**Leg 2** (November 13-21) Principal Investigators- Brooke, Reed,
Messing; Straits of Florida, Miami Terrace, Pourtales Terrace, Agassiz
and Tortugas Valleys. Dive sites will be selected daily with
consideration of transit times to next day's dive site and weather
conditions. In general, the first few days will be spent in region of
Miami Terrace, working south to Florida Keys, then working way back
north with final dives in time for transit to and arrival at HBOI on
Nov. 21.

Nov. 4, Friday HBOI load ship; secure gear; all gear must be secured by
1700 on Nov. 6

Nov. 7, Monday All personnel on board ship by 07:00 am. Depart HBOI at
high tide (approx 12:30 pm); transit to east Florida Lophelia sites (\~4
hr)

Nov. 8-11 Conduct sub ops at base of Florida Hatteras Slope and Straits
of Florida from Jacksonville to Jupiter; Lophelia lithoherms and
bioherms, 2400- 2800 ft

Nov. 12-13 Miami Terrace Escarpment and Straits of Florida; 900- 2400 ft

Nov. 14-17 Pourtales Terrace and Agassiz/Tortugas Valleys; 600- 3000 ft;
dives may include sites as far south and west as Tortugas Valleys, then
working back toward Pourtales Terrace, and ending off Miami Terrace by
Nov. 18.

Nov. 18-19 Miami Terrace Escarpment and Straits of Florida; 900- 2400 ft

Nov. 20 Straits of Florida, East Florida Lophelia bioherms

Nov. 21 Arrive HBOI (high tide 12:29 pm); off load gear

Specific cruise track subject to change: If PIs decide to spend more
time in one specific region, then other sites would be deleted. All
sites are weather dependent.

**Port Call**

Nov. 13 The ship will not need to dock; personnel will be transferred by
small boat at Dania Beach Underwater Weapons Facility.

#### 

**Equipment required**:

1\) *JSL* submersible benthic work package including:

a\) Manipulator with bucket grab, claw and suction hose

b\) Lower work platform with rotating buckets

c\) Data logger system for depth, temperature, and salinity

d\) Color video camera with parallel lasers for scale

e)  Digital still camera with strobe and parallel lasers for scale

f)  Penetrator to take water samples from aft compartment

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2)  Lab van w/ fresh water and AC (Marine Ops supplied)

3)  Environmental room w/ running seawater- for aquaria

4)  Two (empty) lab freezers and one full size lab refrigerator will be
    required for storage of samples (Marine Ops supplied)

5)  Fume hood for chemical handling.

6)  Note: the Kellog *in situ* sampling device will be used during the
    second leg.

**Use of radioisotopes:**

Radioisotopes will not be used.

#### 

# ![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.520833333333333in" height="7.625in"}Cruise Track

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