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NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration Quick Look Report

Expedition Title: [Biological and Geological Characterization of the
Flower Garden Banks Region]{.underline}

+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Results (please  | Details (please describe any novel discoveries in |
| check all        | the discipline, answers such as "possible,        |
| disciplines in   | awaiting data analysis" and "no apparent          |
| which this       | discoveries" are acceptable)                      |
| cruise collected |                                                   |
| data)            |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Bathymetric      | Approximately 1,000 square kilometers of          |
| Mapping          | bathymetric surveys of uncharterted seafloor were |
|                  | conducted using the SeaBeam technology on board.  |
|  Yes  No       | Groundtruthing of the bathymetry will take place  |
|                  | as funding permits.                               |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| New Species      | 2 undescribed species of leafy red algae were     |
| Discovered       | collected at the West Flower Garden Bank -- one   |
|                  | if the family Nemastomataceae, as well as a large |
|  Yes  No       | species of *Halymenia* (Halymeniaceae).           |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Bio-prospecting  | Not an objective of this investigation.           |
|                  |                                                   |
|  Yes  No       |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Habitat Range    | Many samples are awaiting identification --       |
| Extended         | further range extensions are expected.            |
|                  |                                                   |
|  Yes  No       | Fish: Banner blenny -- *Emblemaria atlantica* --  |
|                  | new record for FGBNMS.                            |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | Crustaceans: *Periclimenes pandionis* -- range    |
|                  | extension of rare species                         |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Chemical         | No apparent discoveries.                          |
| Processes        |                                                   |
|                  |                                                   |
|  Yes  No       |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Geologic         | Basalt rock samples were collected at Alderdice   |
| Processes        | Bank. These represent rare geologic volcanic      |
|                  | occurrence in the Gulf of Mexico. This area is    |
|  Yes  No       | not unknown to science, but further analysis of   |
|                  | these samples may provide addition information on |
|                  | the localized geologic processes.                 |
|                  |                                                   |
|                  | Bathymetric surveys revealed unknown deep reef    |
|                  | systems south of the Flower Garden Banks          |
|                  | Ecological Region -- exploration of which will    |
|                  | take place as funding permits.                    |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Physical         | No apparent discoveries.                          |
| Processes        |                                                   |
|                  |                                                   |
|  Yes  No       |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Sub/ROV/AUV      | SonSub Innovator Working Class ROV -- 24 hours    |
| Dives            | bottom time.                                      |
|                  |                                                   |
|  Yes  No       |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| New Technology   | No new technology developed or used.              |
|                  |                                                   |
|  Yes  No       |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Maritime         | No apparent discoveries.                          |
| Cultural         |                                                   |
| Heritage         |                                                   |
|                  |                                                   |
|  Yes  No       |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Outreach         | (                                                 |
|                  |                                                   |
|  Yes  No       | Website development, including essays, and daily  |
|                  | logs. Open House event -- Gulfport, Mississippi.  |
|                  | Scientists set up stations highlighting their     |
|                  | area of expertise, and the discoveries made       |
|                  | during this cruise. 150 middle school students    |
|                  | from the local area toured the ship, and attended |
|                  | presentations by the science team.                |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Students         | No students were involved in the expedition.      |
| Involved         |                                                   |
|                  |                                                   |
|  Yes  No       |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| M                | Geology, marine invertebrate zoology, phycology,  |
| ultidisciplinary | fish biology, sponge biology, coral reef ecology, |
|                  | deep coral biology, GIS specialist.               |
|  Yes  No       |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+
| Exploration of   | New regions of existing banks and several new     |
| New Regions      | relict salt domes                                 |
|                  |                                                   |
|  Yes  No       |                                                   |
+------------------+---------------------------------------------------+

**NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration: Quick Look Report FY2003**

# Basin: Gulf of Mexico

**Expedition: Northern Gulf of Mexico Deep-Sea Habitats**

**Project: Biological and Geological Characterization of the Flower
Garden Banks Region**

The following Quick Look Report provides an initial overview of the
accomplishments achieved on project number OE_2003_174: Biological and
geological characterization of the Flower Garden Banks Region. This
project was one of three projects supported by the NOAA Office of Ocean
Exploration (OE) during the *Northern Gulf of Mexico Deep-Sea Habitats
Expedition*.

***[I. GENERAL OVERVIEW:]{.underline}***

*[Project Title:]{.underline}* Biological and geological
characterization of the Flower Garden Banks region

*[Principal Investigator:]{.underline}* George Schmahl (NOAA - Flower
Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary)

*[Primary Equipment:]{.underline}*

> Vessel: NOAA Ship RONALD H. BROWN, a 274 ft research vessel based in
> Charleston, SC.
>
> ROV: Innovator heavy work class ROV owned and operated by Sonsub, Inc.
>
> Tracking: Sonardyne tracking system linked with WinFrog positioning
> system
>
> Multibeam: Seabeam 2112

*[Partners:]{.underline}*

-   NOAA -- Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

-   NOAA -- NMFS Galveston Lab

-   NOAA -- Office of Ocean Exploration

-   US Geological Survey

-   University of Louisiana at Lafayette

-   Texas A&M University

-   Sonsub, Inc.

-   C&C Technologies

*[Area of Operation:]{.underline}*

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height="3.0340277777777778in"}

***[II. Summary:]{.underline}***

*[Overview:]{.underline}* This project was designed to explore little
known topographic features on the edge of the continental shelf in the
northwestern Gulf of Mexico. The limited information available for these
sites indicates that they may be morphologically similar to the deep
reefs of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. If so, they
may serve as crucial spawning sites for commercially important fishes
and reef-building corals, and thus may warrant protection from oil and
gas activities, as well as commercial fishing. This expedition brought
together scientists with knowledge and expertise in specific fields
including geology, invertebrate biology, fisheries biology, and ecology.
Several of the scientists were also skilled in seafloor mapping and GIS.

Using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the *Innovator*, owned and
operated by Sonsub Inc. of Houston, TX, we conducted a total of 5 dives,
collecting almost 24 hours of video tape, several hundred digital still
images, and 100 samples of sediment, rocks, corals, sponges, fishes,
water, and invertebrates. We conducted multibeam mapping while in
transit between sites for a total of approximately 1,000 square
kilometers, which will be used to identify additional areas of interest.
We also conducted multibeam mapping at 2 target locations -- Parker Bank
and Sidner Bank - on predetermined survey grids to generate baseline
maps for future efforts to map the distribution of species. All of this
information builds on data that we have been collecting in this region
for years using manned submersibles and other smaller ROVs. However, the
*Innovator* provided an opportunity to collect samples from deep-water
areas where we have never sampled before. Inventories of ichthyofauna
and invertebrates that we collected will be combined with quantitative
analysis of the benthic community to create biological habitat maps for
each of the reefs we explored. The surface geology of the sites will be
described from analysis of videotapes and geological samples, in
combination with the high-resolution bathymetry we collected during this
and previous missions. All of this information combined will give us a
better understanding of the spatial distribution and connectivity of
deepwater coral reefs on the bank we explored, and will provide
invaluable insights for planning future expeditions.

*[Schedule:]{.underline}*

Sep 21 - Depart Panama City FL 1400 hrs

Sep 22 - Project number OE_2003_011

Sep 23 - Project number OE_2003_011

Sep 24 - Project number OE_2003_011

Sep 25 - Project number OE_2003_074: Alderdice Bank, Parker Bank

Sep 26 - Project number OE_2003_074: Parker Bank, Sidner Bank

Sep 27 - Project number OE_2003_074: West Flower Garden Bank

Sep 28 - Project number OE_2003_074: West Flower Garden Bank

Sep 29 - Project number OE_2003_074: Diaphus Bank

Sep 30 - Project number OE_2003_011

Oct 1 - Project number OE_2003_011

Oct 2 - Arrive Gulfport MS 0900 hrs

Oct 3 - Open House

*[Project Objectives:]{.underline}*

-   Document habitat through video, stills, and specimens

-   Collect samples of associated fauna using manipulator and suction
    sampler

-   Document geology by collecting sediment samples - push cores, rocks
    -- manipulator

-   Collect multibeam data during transit and at predetermined locations
    following survey grids

-   Develop habitat maps using accurate positioning information

-   Develop background essays and daily logs of activities for the NOAA
    Ocean Explorer Web-site

-   Participate in the student open house in Gulfport, MS

*[Key Findings:]{.underline}*

-   **Reef geology and morphology**

Dr. John Bratton, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institute

The ROV footage and samples collected on the cruise documented the range
of hard substrates important to deep-sea organisms in the study area,
especially corals. Six classes of hard elements were observed: 1)
erosional bedrock outcrop, 2) transported bedrock fragments (cobbles and
boulders on slopes), 3) authigenic carbonates associated with seeps, 4)
small biogenic carbonates (shells, coral fragments), 5) large biogenic
carbonates (including drowned and encrusted branching corals and relict
algal nodule fields), and 6) salt tectonic exposures (basalt, anhydrite,
bedrock exposed on fault scarps). Two important generalizations can be
made about hard substrates in the deep gulf:

1)  relict biogenic structures formed during times of lower sea level
    (e.g., drowned reefs and algal nodule fields) provide significant
    attachment surfaces for modern deep benthic communities at depths of
    approximately 50 to 150 m (West Flower Garden Bank, Diaphus Bank),

2)  deeper benthic communities (\>150 m), especially associated with
    steep slopes or canyons, are more dependent on bedrock outcrops,
    authigenic carbonates, and small biogenic carbonates (shells, coral
    fragments) for attachment sites.

The most common bottom type, soft mud, supports less diverse communities
of infauna (polychaetes, bivalves, isopods), epifauna (cerianthid
anemones), and eel-like fish (conger eels, morays, rattails, grenadiers,
hagfish).

-   **Fish communities**

By Doug Weaver, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Although ROV surveys were limited to Alderdice, West Flower Garden Bank,
and Diaphus Bank, an abundant and diverse group of reef fishes were
observed at each site, and collection of algal nodules resulted in
collection of the rare banner blenny, Emblemaria atlantica, at West
Flower Garden Bank. Surveys at Alderdice confirmed the presence of large
schools of creolefish, scamp, and other large predators associated with
the large basalt features of the bank, and a diverse assemblage of
smaller reef fishes associated with the talus fields present at the base
of the basalt spires. During our surveys, large schools of greater
amberjack and almaco jacks were also observed, in numbers that were
greater than during our previous surveys of the bank. Surveys at the
West Flower Garden Bank resulted in documentation of the reef fish
community on several deep reef areas not previously surveyed using the
ROV. Results of these surveys will contribute to the development of
habitat maps and species distribution maps at the Flower Garden Banks
NMS.

Surveys at Diaphus Bank revealed reduced habitat diversity at similar
depths when compared to Alderdice and West Flower Garden Banks, and many
deep reef fishes were absent from this feature. Reef fishes commonly
associated with deep coral reef communities and algal nodule-sponge
habitat were absent, including orangeback bass, cherubfish, and
greenblotch parrotfish. Reef fish communities at Diaphus Bank resembled
those present along the Mississippi-Alabama outer Continental shelf in
the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, where reduced habitat diversity and
fewer reef fishes is linked to increased turbidity associated with the
Mississippi River and other coastal river systems.

The use of detailed tracking during ROV surveys will allow us to use to
associate specific reef fish communities with individual deep reef
features at each bank, and add to the list of reef fishes found on each
feature. The limited diversity of reef fishes at Diaphus Bank reveals
the high taxonomic diversity of reef fishes and variety of deep reef
habitats present at the Flower Garden Banks and Alderdice Bank. The
number of reef fish species is higher at these features than any other
shelf edge bank in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

-   **Invertebrates**

Dr. Mary K. Wicksten, Texas A&M University

Other than soft corals and black corals, our group collected and
photographed specimens of at least 80 species of invertebrates. Many of
these are large corals or starfishes that have been photographed before,
but are unidentifiable without a specimen. These specimens will be
identified at Texas A&M University or sent to specialists for
identification. We collected some tiny shrimp, crabs and brittle stars
among rocks and sponges. These tiny animals include several that
represent the first records of their species on the banks. We have new
host records of tiny shrimp that live in association with sponges or sea
urchins. Knowing the exact location at which these specimens were taken,
we can better define communities of algae, invertebrates and fishes.

The new records will contribute to a large scientific report that will
compare the species richness between the northern banks of the Gulf of
Mexico. We can compare our new records with those reported by biologists
since 1972. Information on living color, habitat and distribution will
be included in scientific works on hermit crabs, shrimp, starfishes and
sea anemones of the Gulf of Mexico.

-   **Algal community**

Dr. Suzanne Fredericq, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Even though seaweed sampling was restricted to two ROV dives at the West
Mound of the West Flower Garden Banks, the limited collections
reinforced previous FGBMNS sightings conducted in the region with a
smaller ROV that the deepwater marine flora at 150-250 ft is
surprisingly diversity-rich and has predominantly tropical affinities. A
new gelatinous species was collected that belongs in the species-poor
red algal family Nemastomataceae as well as a large unknown species of
*Halymenia* (Halymeniaceae); these two specimens were reproductive which
will aid in their characterization and correct taxonomic identity.
Excluding the crustose corallines, a total of twenty-two species of
leafy seaweeds were collected during the first dive, and sixteen species
were retrieved during the second dive. New range extensions into the
Gulf of Mexico were noted for several species. It was striking that the
abundance of coralline red algal nodules or rhodoliths at these deep
depths was crucial for the support and survival of the seaweed
assemblages, as in areas lacking rhodoliths at similar depth ranges, the
bottom of the ocean floor was completely devoid of macroalgae.

*[Initial Impressions/Characterization:]{.underline}*

Alderdice Bank

The first dive conducted for this component of the project was ROV dive
#37, at Alderdice Bank on September 25, 2003. Alderdice Bank is of
interest in that it contains two basalt outcrops, an extremely rare
feature in the Gulf of Mexico. This feature was visited in 2002 as part
of the Sustainable Seas Expedition (SSE) using Deepworker submersibles.
The primary objective of re-visiting this site was to utilize the
sampling capabilities of the *Innovator* ROV to collect additional
samples of basalt for geological analysis and to begin the collection of
voucher specimens for the characterization of benthic communities
associated with these deep reef features. The total dive time at this
site was 4 hours and 10 minutes. The dive began in the vicinity of the
northernmost of the two prominent basalt spires, which rise from the
seafloor at about 80 meters depth to within 55 meters of the surface.
The ROV completely circled this spire near the base, and made several
transits up to the top of this feature. Two samples of black coral
(antipitharians) were collected, which were growing attached to the
basalt rocks. Several basalt rock samples were collected, using both the
manipulator arm and suction device. After 2.5 hours, the ROV transited
to the second target site, located on the most prominent mound feature
of the bank to the east of the basalt spires. After arriving at this
location, we began to document the large number of gorgonians, algae and
sponges in this area. After a short time, problems developed with the
power system of the ROV, which could not be resolved. Because of this,
the dive was terminated.

Fish communities associated with the basalt spires were similar to that
observed during the SSE observations in 2002. Density and diversity of
fish are very high at this location, and is typified by large numbers of
creolefish, amberjack, and ocean triggerfish up in the water column, and
roughtongue bass and yellowtail reef fish associated with the benthos.
Of commercially important species, both scamp and yellowmouth grouper
were relatively common. The benthic community was characterized by
several species of black coral, crinoids, and a variety of gorgonians
and sponges. One observation of importance is that the large numbers of
black basket stars, which were documented in the SSE observations in
2002, appeared to be absent during this dive.

Parker Bank

During the period that the ROV was being repaired, we utilized the
shipboard seabeam mapping capability to conduct bathymetric sampling of
Parker Bank. This bank is one of the topographic features of interest to
this study, but was not listed as a high priority. There is no multibeam
bathymetric data for this feature. Thus, collection of this data was
extremely valuable. Over three quarters of this feature was mapped while
the ROV was being repaired.

West Flower Garden Bank

ROV dives #39, #40 and #41 were conducted at the West Flower Garden
Bank, within the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS).
Dives #39 and #40 were conducted at a location termed the "West mound",
located in the westernmost quadrant of the Sanctuary. This feature was
known from previous ROV investigations to be an area typified by an
algal nodule and sponge community. It was identified as a primary
objective because of the opportunity to utilize the ROV collection
capabilities to obtain samples of algae for Dr. Suzanne Fredericq, who
is conducting a survey of marine seaweeds in the Gulf of Mexico. The
first dive at this location (dive #39) resulted in sixteen sampling
events that yielded at least 22 species of algae, as well as a variety
of other invertebrates. It is a very good example of an algal nodule
community, which is characteristic of a significant portion of the
FGBNMS. The second dive (dive #40) included the collection of 21
samples, which contained over sixteen algal species. Dive #41 was
conducted at a feature termed the "southern bump", located at the
southernmost tip of the Sanctuary. This area ranged in depth from 140 to
107 meters, so algal communities were much less developed or absent.
This feature was typified by a "drowned reef" habitat, a series of
scattered low relief rock outcroppings with associated benthic fauna. As
the ROV continued north on this feature, the rocky outcroppings became
larger, with over 3 meters of relief, and were highly eroded. After
approximately 5 hours, the dive was terminated because the sea
conditions on the surface had deteriorated and the ship was not able to
hold position.

In addition to the algae mentioned above, the collections at the West
Flower Garden Bank yielded at least 48 species of invertebrates,
including 12 sponges, 10 cnidarians, 2 annelids, 4 molluscs, 10
crustaceans, 1 bryozoan, 4 echinoderms and 1 tunicate. Interesting
observations during dive #41 included a large amount of long line
fishing debris, a slit shell (very rare gastropod -- not collected), a
snowy grouper and a Warsaw grouper.

Diaphus Bank

Diaphus Bank is located in the easternmost section of the area of
interest. We were in this vicinity during the transit back to Gulfport,
MS after the weather prevented additional diving at the West Flower
Garden Bank. ROV dives at Diaphus Bank were not originally planned
during this mission, however, we took advantage of the improvement of
weather conditions to conduct this dive. ROV dive #42 was conducted at
Diaphus Bank on September 29, 2003. The dive began in approximately 100
meters depth at a location north of a prominent east/west fault feature
associated with this bank. The proposed dive track was to transit south
until the ROV encountered the abrupt drop off at the fault line. The ROV
transited south about 1500 meters, stopping numerous times at various
low to moderate relief rock outcroppings. The outcrops were separated by
large areas of sediment, consisting of fine sand and mud. The outcrops
exhibited a variety of attached benthic organisms, mostly
antipatharians, gorgonians and crinoid echinoderms. After 1500 meters,
the ROV encountered the dropoff and followed it down to approximately
129 meters depth, where it leveled off. The ROV then proceeded
northwest, back up the incline and onto the main bank area where
additional rocky outcrops were inspected. The entire dive lasted 7 hours
and 32 minutes. A variety of specimens were collected from this site for
identification. Interesting observations included a slit shell (rare
mollusk), lithistid sponges, an octopus and a conger eel.

***[Accomplishments:]{.underline}***

1.  ROV operations

Five ROV dives were conducted at four sites (Alderdice Bank, West Flower
Garden Bank (WFGB) west mound, WFGB southern bump, and Diaphus Bank) for
a total of 23 hours and 15 minutes of bottom time. Video was collected
virtually for the entire time the ROV was in the water. In addition, 198
digital still images were taken during the dives.

2.  Sampling operations

A total of 96 samples were collected by the ROV, utilizing the
manipulator arm, suction device, and specialized equipment (rake, claw,
etc.) fabricated by the Sonsub team. Many of these samples contain more
than one specimen, so the total number of biological and geological
samples was much greater.

3.  Mapping operations

Approximately 1,000 square kilometers were surveyed utilizing the
shipboard seabeam bathymetric equipment. A detailed survey was conducted
of Parker Bank (see below). Additional surveys were conducted at Sidner
Bank, and during all transits, which were planned to go over areas of
interest.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="4.34375in" height="4.870138888888889in"}

Parker Bank mapping conducted during OE_2003_074

4.  Education and outreach

On Wednesday, October 1, 2003 a professional development institute (PDI)
was conducted for 25 teachers from five states at the J. L. Scott Marine
Education Center & Aquarium in Biloxi, Mississippi. This PDI focused on
NOAA Gulf of Mexico expeditions, and several scientists from past NOAA
sponsored expeditions spoke with the teachers. On October 3, 2003 an
open house was offered to school groups in Gulfport during the RON BROWN
Port Call. 100 students from Gulfport Central Middle School and 50
seventh grade students from St. John's Middle School toured the ship,
visiting with the scientists, Sonsub technicians and ship's crew who
provided hands on demonstrations of the work that was accomplished
during the 2 week cruise. In addition to hosting students, a media event
was hosted on October 3, with press releases, CD-ROM of sample images
from the expedition and a highlights video tape provided to each media
representative. The media effort was led by Fred Gorell of OE.

Sarah Bernhardt, Education Specialist, from the Flower Garden Banks
National Marine Sanctuary, participated in the cruise as the outreach
and education representative from the sanctuary. Over 750 digital still
images were taken documenting the daily operations and specimen
collections that occurred on the RON BROWN. These images are being used
to generate newsletters, one-pagers, power point presentations, and web
pages (OE & FGBNMS).

5.  Web-site

Prior to the cruise, the OE education staff put together eight
educational lesson plans for grades 5-12 focusing on deepwater corals
and their associated communities. The OE website
([http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov](http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/))
contained a variety of essays, daily logs, biographies, and background
pieces. Specifically, the website contained six pre-departure essays
describing the mission plan, education efforts, seaweeds, connections,
coral diversity and coral distribution. Also available prior to
departure were biographies of each of the 17 members of the science team
(or explorers as they're called on the website). Ten daily mission logs
were submitted to the OE website during the course of the cruise,
written by Catalina Martinez, OE, with help from explorers Julie Olson,
Sandra Burke and Sarah Bernhardt. Eight supplemental essays were written
by scientists during the cruise on the following topics: salt dome
formation, painted squat lobsters, identification of rare or newly
discovered species, oil and gas extraction, collecting deep sea corals,
seafloor geology, identification of seaweeds, and food webs or ecosystem
trophic structure. Finally, several video clips will be added for
viewing on the website in the near future.

***[Thoughts for the Future:]{.underline}***

Data obtained from this mission added important information about the
reefs and banks of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Of primary value was
the ability to collect representative organisms from key habitat types
that are important as "indicator" species for the various biological
zones. This has direct and immediate application to the ongoing
investigations that we are conducting to characterize the topographic
features of this region. The biological communities appear to be similar
throughout the geographical range of interest, but are partitioned by
depth, substrate and water quality factors. Therefore, the specimens
collected during this mission can be used to identify and characterize
communities throughout the northwestern Gulf. Regarding specimen
collection, it is important for future efforts to refine the collecting
methodology somewhat on the ROV. While we were quite successful in the
collections, it will be beneficial to develop an array of sample
containers on the ROV itself that can be utilized to sort and store
specimens. During this mission, all samples were deposited into one of
two sample containers. In some cases, even though careful notes were
taken, it was difficult to determine which sample went with a specific
collection (for example, two "yellow sponges" in the same container).
There were individual sample containers on the tether management system
(TMS), but this was somewhat awkward to return to it frequently to
deposit specimens.

Another important finding that has immediate implications relates to the
information obtained from the bathymetric mapping effort. We utilized
the transit time between survey sites to map the seafloor between
features that already have good multibeam information. In some cases we
slightly adjusted the transit track to follow interesting bottom contour
lines. This data is very intriguing, because it demonstrates that many
of the reefs and banks are physically connected through geological
formations that were previously not well defined. The data shows that
there are exposed hard bottom structures between banks that can be
utilized by a variety of fish and other organisms as conduits for
dispersal and interaction. Unfortunately, we were only able to conduct
this mapping of very small "strips" of the seafloor. This points out the
need for extensive multibeam mapping of the uncharted sections of this
part of the Gulf of Mexico.

The FGBNMS has made a concerted effort over the last few years to
explore the larger ecosystem of which the Sanctuary is a part. Each
investigation brings new insights into the nature of this important
marine region. There can be no doubt that the reefs and banks of the
northwestern Gulf of Mexico form a network of interconnected biological
islands that are highly productive habitat for fish and other marine
organisms. At this point, however, only a small fraction of the area has
been investigated. The fact that in the limited ROV time of this
mission, range extensions and new species were recorded emphasizes the
need to continue the exploration of this region. In addition,
information from this mission has pointed out the need to extend our
investigations into slightly deeper water -- to the area of the upper
continental slope. This area contains important habitat that also
provides ecological linkages with the FGBNMS. We must understand the
linkages between adjacent and nearby communities if we are to be
successful in managing the Flower Garden Banks as a marine protected
area.

***[Appendices:]{.underline}***

A.  Milestones

B.  Data Collected

C.  Dive Logs