The GULF OF MEX

at a 

A Tool for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and the American 
 B

This document was compiled by the following individuals (in alphabetical order): 

Brent Ache David Bylsma Kristen Crossett Chris David Alyssa Edwards Nancy Wallace Suggested citation: National Ocean Service, NOAA. 2008. Gulf of Mexico at a Glance. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Cover photo credits: Front cover, large image: Barbara Ambrose, National Coastal Data Development Center, NOAA Front cover, panel images from left to right: Melissa Schneider, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium; Earl Nottingham, TPWD; Chase Fountain, TPWD; Earl Nottingham, TPWD Back cover: Earl Nottingham, TPWD 

Dear Readers, The Gulf of Mexico region providresources, abundant seafood, extraactivities, and a rich cultural heritagprepare for and respond to some oevents in the Nation, including the history – Hurricane Katrina in 200health and water quality and quantiGulf of Mexico region. The Gulf of Mexico Alliance, as a regional collaboration at the state, promise to improve the ecological region. NOAA is proud to be a pawhere shared scientific strengths arstrengths. One objective of the Gulf of Mexawareness about the linkages betwehealth, the high quality of residenteconomic vitality of the region. To Glance provides memorable represeconomic, and environmental attriWhile this report presents only a fethat others will be inspired to deverepresentations that increase public linkages. Sincerely, Margaret Davidson Director DNOAA Coastal Services Center S

 N
The GULF OF MEXICO
 

at a GLANCE 

June 2008 

A publication of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

Department of Commerce, developed in partnership with the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency Gulf of Mexico Program, for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance.

TA

Introduction.Gulf Comm Populatio Housing  Coastal VGulf Econo Recreatio Commerci Tourism  Oil and G WaterborGulf Ecology Celebrati Ecoregio Hypoxia 
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance is a partnership among the states of Alabama, Florida

Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, with the goal of signi

ficantly increasing regional 

collaboration to enhance the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mex

Credit: Earl Nottingham, TPWD 

The Gulf of Mexico at a Glance presents memorable representations of selected socialeconomic, and environmental attributes with the intent of building public awarenes

about the linkages between the Gulf of Mexico region’s ecological health, the high 

quality of residents’ everyday lives, and the economic vitality of the region. 
Introduction 

The United States portion of the Gulf of Mexico region extends from the Florida Keys westward to the southern tip of Texas, following the coastline of five 

states. The combined coastline of these states totals over 47,000 miles (when including the shores of all barrier islands, wetlands, inland bays, and inland bodies of water).1 

The Gulf of Mexico has an area of approximately 580,000 square miles, contains an approximate 584,000 cubic miles of water, and has an average depth of 5,299 feet (Nipper et al., 2008). The Gulf of Mexico Alliance is a partnership among the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, with the goal of signifi cantly increasing regional collaboration to enhance the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico. By working together on priority regional issues, the five Gulf States are committed to realizing the benefits of shared management successes and coordinated 

environmental monitoring and ultimately striving towards a common regional vision and strategy for enhancing the Gulf of Mexico region. The Gulf of Mexico Alliance actively works to collaborate with the six Mexican Gulf States and is engaged in a number of ongoing activities in Mexico. Both parties acknowledge that the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico is contingent upon responsible management by both the United States and Mexico. 

West Louisiana Gulf shoreline near Rockefeller Refuge. Credit: John Foret

The Gulf of Mexico at a Glanc

One objective of the Gulf of Mexico Alliaawareness about the linkages between the Ghealth, the high quality of residents’ everydvitality of the region. To this end, The Gulf 

presents regional aggregations of selected eare focused in coastal and ocean areas, as wand environmental attributes of the region. memorable facts will inspire interested citizthese subjects and their linkages. While thia few key regional attributes, it is also hopemotivated to develop broader and more in-Information in this report is organized by t

Gulf Communitie

Gulf Economy 

Gulf Ecology 

An aerial view of a shrimp vessel on opening day of shrimp waters. Credit: Mississippi Department of Marine Resource
Gulf Communities 

Coastal regions are among the most densely populated areas in the Nation. Compared to other coastal regions within the United States, the Gulf Coast Region has experienced a considerable population increase since 1970, growing by 103%. This is the second fastest-growing region just behind the Southeast Coast Region, increasing faster than both the Pacific and Northeast Coast Regions.2 The Gulf of Mexico region is also home 

to frequent hurricanes, which can adversely affect a growing population. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita displaced thousands of people both temporarily and permanently in 2005. Additionally, the Gulf Coast Region has experienced both tremendous housing unit growth and loss compared to other coast regions in the United States. Fortunately, the Gulf Coast Region’s population is rebounding from these events. This section of the report presents population, housing trends, and projections. 

Port Lavaca, TX. Credit: Earl Nottingham, TPWD 

Gulf Economy 

The five U.S. states that border the Gulf 

gross domestic product (GDP) of over Economic Analysis, 2006), and if a counregion the seventh largest economy in thMonetary Fund, 2006). The robust econMexico region provides jobs for more thMuch of that economic activity is depenthe Gulf of Mexico and its natural resouthe report presents four key economic aMexico region. Tourism and recreation pjobs; 27% of domestic crude oil producGulf of Mexico region; the major commthe region bring in over 1.2 billion pounyear; and six of the top 10 leading shippare found in the Gulf of Mexico regionthe importance of the Gulf of Mexico rNation and countries around the globe. 

Port of Corpus Christi, TX. Credit: Port of Cor

2
Gulf Ecology 

Wetlands in Louisiana. Credit: NOAA 

The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest water body in the world and teems with sea life, from shrimp to unexplored deep-water corals living thousands of feet below the surface. The Gulf ’s size and unique ecologic diversity has led to the establishment of many state and national parks and habitat and wildlife preservation areas. Its coastal areas contain half the wetlands in the United States and are home to vital natural resources, including nesting waterfowl, colonial waterbird rookeries, sea turtles, and 

fisheries. These resources are 

supported by the abundant bays, estuaries, tidal 

fl ats, barrier 

islands, hard and soft wood forests, and mangrove forests. Biological diversity is not bound by political boundaries and to illustrate its distinct landscapes and habitats, the Gulf of Mexico region is presented as “ecoregions” in this report. Ecoregions are large areas with similar ecosystems, re

flecting patterns of 

biotic and abiotic factors such as geology, landforms, hydrology, soils, climate, vegetation, land use, and wildlife. The Gulf of Mexico region’s ecological communities are essential to sustaining local economies, recreational experiences, and overall quality of life. However, these communities are susceptible to human and natural impacts. 

Data The demographic, economic, and environmin this report represent information that is and feasible to obtain. This report providemost current data available and is intended socioeconomic and environmental attributregion. Economic activities are not necessdependent, but serve the residents of and areas. The 2005 hurricane season had a trGulf of Mexico’s communities, economy, in this report re

flect this impact. To ackno

event, the authors present multi-year averaand also provide descriptions of populatioresulting from the effects of the 2005 hurrnoting, however, that discussions and/or qthe hurricanes’ impacts are not provided wdata presented. The demographic projectireport were generated by Woods and Poole projections listed are intended to regionally is likely to occur and are not intended to bpredictions. All data sources are cited with end of this report. Geography Throughout this report, data are presented geography: region, state, and coastal countreport, Gulf of Mexico coastal counties wwhat is hereafter referred to as the “Gulf Cincluded as “coastal,” one of the following at a minimum, 15% of the county’s total lacoastal watershed or (2) a portion of or an at least 15% of a U.S. Geological Survey co

Gulf Coast Region contains a total of 141 five U.S. Gulf States. For a complete map of the Gulf Coast Region, see the Append
G u l f C o m m u n i t i e s 

Population The Gulf Coast Region is increasingly becoming an attractive area for both retirees and job hunters, offering a pleasant climate and new opportunities for its residents. This region has shown a considerable rate of growth over the past 40 years and is expected to grow at this rate in the upcoming decades. 

Thseregchgr

Apprin the 1970. ExpepopuRegiopopuby 7%PopuCoast mile)popuper sqApprpopuof thOf th65% by 20Source: 

Total population Female population Male population Average median age Total number of households Average size of households Mean household income Employed population(U.S. employed populaton is 60%) 

Figure 1. Population density in the Gulf Coast Region by state. Source: Woods and Poole Economics, Inc., 2007. 

Pinellas County, FL, is the leading county in the Gulf Coast Region in terms of population density, averaging 3,365 persons per square mile. 

Estimated Population Density of 

the Gulf Coast Region in 2008 

Estimated Population Characteristics 

of the Gulf Coast Region in 2008 

Persons Per Square Mile 

TX LA MS AL 

FL 

250 200 150 100 

50 

0 

38 years 

8,086,400 

2.6 persons 

57% 

49% 51% 

$77, 068 

Source: Woods and Poole Economics, Inc., 2007. 

Credit: Earl Nottingham, TPWD 

20,528,556 

4
Figure 2. Gulf of Mexico coastal counties within a 100-mile buffer of the tracks of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita 

Population (Thousands) Hurricane Path 

100-mile Buffer 

Counties Within 

100 Miles of 

Hurricanes 

Katrina and Rita 

Katrina (2005)

Rita (2005) TX LA 

MS AL 

FL 

GA 

SC 

MEXICO 

Gulf of Mexico 

Atlantic 

Ocean 

(2005). Source: Coastal Services Center, NOAA, 2008. 

Both Hurricanes Kaeffect on the Gulf CA total of 60 Gulf cmiles of both hurricdemonstrates the chcombined counties fchange to 2015. 

65006000550050004500400035003000

2004 2005 2006 2

Figure 3. Population 100 miles of the tracSource: Woods and PoolCenter, NOAA, 2008. 

Figure 4. Expected percent population change from 2008 to 2015 in the Gulf Coast Region. Source: Woods and Poole Economics, Inc., 2007. 

26+ 16 - 25 6 - 15 - 4 - 5 

Projected Percent 

Population Change: 

2008 - 2015 

Percent Change 

TX 

LA 

MS AL 

FL 

GA 

SC 

MEXICO 

Gulf of Mexico 

Atlantic 

Ocean 

Although a signi

fi

St. Bernard ParishKatrina, the parish a high level of retthe highest percenexpected to occur by 89% by 2015. 
G u l f C o m m u n i t i e s 

Housing and Development Residential development in the Gulf Coast Region is increasing. Construction of housing units may act as an indicator of economic growth, “sprawl” along the coast, or the rebuilding of previous housing units lost. People nationwide are drawn to the Gulf Coast Region as a vacation destination; therefore, one component of this development is seasonal homes.4 

HaNaisswi

Percehousithe Gnumbentire Source: Apprpermhome 2006 Source: 2005, Percecounissued (singlSource: 2005, Percethe GseasoSource: 

Percent of Housing Units in 

the Gulf Coast Region 

FL, 44% TX, 33% 

AL, 4% LA, 16% MS, 3% 

Figure 5. Percent of Gulf Coast Region housing units by state. Source: U.S.Census Bureau, 2007a. 

Seasonal Homes in 

the Gulf Coast Region 

Counties in the Gulf Coast Region with the highest percentage of seasonal homes: 

Figure 6. Seasonal housing units in the Gulf Coast Region by state. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000. 

Number of Seasonal Homes

(Thousands) 

TX LA MS AL 

FL 

250 200 150 100 

50 

0 

300 

Leading counties in the Gulf Coast Region in total number of housing units: 

Harris County, TX Hillsborough County, FL Pinellas County, FL 

Sourc2005, 

1,495,016 

505,654 498,415 

37% 27% 27% 

Kenedy County, TX Walton County, FL Cameron County, LA 

Credit: Barbara Ambrose, National Coastal Data Development Center, NOAA 

6 
Count

Counties w

Figure 8. Single family housing unit change in the Gulf Coast Region from 2004 to 2006. 

Housing Units (Thousands) 25+ 5 - 25 1 - 5 

-4.9 - 0 -24.9 - -5 -107 - -25 

Change in Housing 

Unit Total 

(Thousand) Wind 

(Knots) 

Change in the Total 

Number of 

Housing Units: 

2004 - 2006 

Katrina (2005) TX 

Rita (2005) LA MS AL 

FL 

GA 

SC 

MEXICO 

Gulf of Mexico 

Atlantic 

Ocean 

125 - 155 105 - 125 70 - 105 35 - 70 20 - 35 

Figure 7. Building permits issued from 2002 to 2006 in the Gulf Coast Region. 

Three of the ten lpermits issued natGulf Coast RegionHarris County, TX Lee County, FL Hillsborough Cou

Number of Building Permits Issued Building Permits Issued 

for Single Family Home 

Construction: 

2002 - 2006 

50,001+ 20,001 - 50,000 5,001 - 20,000 0 - 5,000 

TX 

LA 

MS AL 

FL 

GA 

SC 

MEXICO 

Gulf of Mexico 

Atlantic 

Ocean 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2003-2006, 2007b. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2007a; Coastal Services Center, NOAA, 2008. 

In addition to the poRegion experienced and Rita, housing wgraph below demonof housing units loccounties found withHurricanes Katrina 

2,350 2,300 2,250 2,200 2,150 2,100 2,050 2,000

2004 

Figure 9. Housing unit within 100 miles HurrSource: U.S. Census BureNOAA, 2008. 
G u l f C o m m u n i t i e s 

Coastal Vulnerability Predicted sea-level rise may cause physical changes to the coast, which could adversely impact communities and infrastructure located along the Gulf of Mexico. Being aware of the relative vulnerability of coastal areas to sealevel rise-related erosion, 

flooding, and storm damage will help 

communities to consider the longer-term costs of protecting or relocating themselves. The preliminary assessment presented here, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, describes how vulnerable the Gulf of Mexico region might be to sea-level rise. It is certain that Gulf coastal communities will continue to experience signi

ficant, destructive coastal storms. By 

transforming into “resilient” communities, they increase their ability to “bounce back” after hurricanes and 

fl ooding. 

Resilient communities, with the ability to quickly recover both economically and socially, will be critical to the region’s long-term viability and success in the face of predicted sea-level rise. 

View of Mississippi River and south Plaquemines Parish, LA, after Hurricane Katrina (2005). Credit: NOAA 

Coastal Vulnerability to S

Risk Ranking 

Low Moderate High Very High 

Figure 10. Coastal vulnerability in the Gulf of MexicVulnerability Index5 (C.V.I.)). The C.V.I. shows the re

to physical changes due to predicted rise in sea level. Source: Thieler and Hammer-Klose, 2006. 

Gulf of Mexico Shoreline 

Vulnerability Risk Ca

Low 

Moderate 

High 

Very High 

0 

Figure 11. Percentage of mapped shoreline along theach risk category based on the C.V.I. (including leng

402 miles 

656 miles 

5 10 15 20 25 

Source: Thieler and Hammer-Klose, 2006. 

8
G u l f E c o n o m y

Recreational Fishing From 

fly

fi shing shallow-water 

flats for red drum to 

fi shing along 

structures and reefs for groupers, the Gulf of Mexico offers a variety of diverse habitats and species for those seeking a recreational 

fishing 

adventure. Both residents and tourists are drawn to these inland and open-water opportunities. 

Thacall fish

Percerecreain the Source: NOAANumbfishinGulf Source: NOAANumbresiderecreaSource: NOAAPercefishinof a tin the (harveTexasSource: NOAA

LA, 19% 

AL, 9% 

MS, 4% 

Distribution of Marine 

Recreational Fishing Trips 

Figure 12. Percent of the 25 million Gulf of Mexico marine recreational 

fishing trips in 2006 by state. 

Source: National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 2007b. Note: The state of Texas does not participate in the Marine Recreational Fishery Statistical Survey. 

Top Five Marine Recreational Fishing 

Species Caught in 2006 

Table 1. Top 

five marine recreational 

fishing species in the Gulf 

of Mexico by pounds harvested (harvest values do not include Texas). Source: National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 2007c. 

1 2 3 4 5 

FL, 68% 

18.0 14.2 

4.0 3.4 3.2 

Spotted seatrout Red drum Sheepshead King mackerel Red snapper 

Credit: Larry Hodge 

SourceNOA

Credit: Earl Nottingham, TPWD Credit: Ron Baker, NOAA 

 Millions 

Rank Species of pounds 
G u l f E c o n o m y

Commercial Fishing The commercial 

fishing industry in the Gulf of Mexico region has long 

supported the livelihood of its residents. This multi-billion dollar industry has traditionally included 

fin 

fish, shrimp, oysters, and crab. 

In coin locreg

PercelandinregionmillioPercein the threepounPercefisherMexi57% Averacomm

year iyieldi

Source: NOAA

Distribution of Commercial 

Fishing Landings 

FL, 6% TX, 7% 

LA, 71% 

AL, 2% 

MS, 14% 

Figure 13. Distribution of the 1.3 billion pounds of commercial 

fishing landings by state. 

Source: National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 2007a. 

FL, 22% TX, 27% 

LA, 41% 

AL, 6% 

MS, 4% 

Distribution of Commercial 

Fishing Value 

Figure 14. Distribution of the $662 million of commercial fishing value by state. Source: National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 2007a. 

Credit: Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality 

The 2005 hurricanes damaged and destroyed thousands of commercial vessels and the onshore infrastructure throughout coastal Louisiana, causing sharp declines in commercial landings and revenues. Thus, seafood landings shifted west to Texas and east to Alabama. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ 2005 preliminary estimates of losses to the state’s seafood industry as a result of Hurricane Katrina were $1.3 billion (annual total retail value), which represents about 40% of the industry’s annual total retail value (Wulfhorst, 2005). Source: National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 2007d. 

2005 Hurricane Season and Louisiana’s Fishing Industry 

10
Shrimp boats in Pass C

Barbara Ambrose, Nament Center, NOAA 

Location of port 

Brownsville-Port Isabel, TX 

Port Arthur, TX

Intracoastal City, LA

Dulac-Chauvin, LA

Golden Meadow-Leeville, LA 

Empire-Venice, LA 

Bayou La Batre, AL 

Palacios, TX 

Galveston, TX 

Key West, FL 

TX 

LA 

MS 

AL 

FL 

GA 

SC 

MEXICO Gulf of Mexico 

Atlantic 

Ocean 

Figure 15. Locations of the ten most productive 

fishing ports in the Gulf of Mexico region (by value). 

Source: National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 2007e. 

Most Productive Fishing Ports 

by Value 

Rank Port Millions of Dollars 1 Empire-Venice, LA 46.9 2 Brownsville-Port Isabel, TX 45.8 3 Dulac-Chauvin, LA 44.4 4 Key West, FL 44.2 5 Port Arthur, TX 39.3 6 Galveston, TX 34.8 7 Bayou La Batre, AL 32.6 8 Intracoastal City, LA 32.2 9 Palacios, TX 29.8 10 Golden Meadow-Leeville, LA 28.1 

Table 2. The ten most productive 

fishing ports in the 

Gulf of Mexico region by value, a three-year average from 2004 to 2006. Source: National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 2007f. 

Most Productive Fishing Ports 

by Poundage 

Rank Port Millions of pounds 1 Intracoastal City, LA 388.8 

2 Empire-Venice, LA 278.5 3 Pascagoula-Moss Point, MS 178.0 

4 Cameron, LA 87.3 5 Dulac-Chauvin, LA 37.9 6 Brownsville-Port Isabel, TX 23.1 7 Golden Meadow-Leeville, LA 22.7 8 Bayou La Batre, AL 21.5 9 Port Arthur, TX 20.7 10 La

fi tte-Barataria, LA 19.2 

Table 3. The ten most productive 

fishing ports in the 

Gulf of Mexico region by poundage, a three-year average from 2004 to 2006. Source: National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 2007e. 

To

Rank 

S

1 

M

2 3 4 

B

5 

Table 4. Thpoundage ithree-year Source: Nat2007a. 
Tourism and Recreation 

The white sand beaches, excellent seafood restaurants, and warm weather found in the Gulf of Mexico region make it a popular destination for people from around the country and the world. Tourism and recreation have become very important to the economy of the region. 

Figure 16. Distribution of 620,000 tourism and recreation jobs in the Gulf Coast Region by state. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2006; Colgan, 2004. 

Table 5. Total number of jobs and total wages for tourism and recreation jobs in the Gulf Coast Region. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2006; Colgan, 2004. 

Eating and Drinking Establishments Hotels and Lodging Amusement and Recreation Services Boat Dealers Marinas Scenic Water Tours Rec. Vehicle Parks and Campsites Sporting Goods Zoos, Aquaria 

537,160 

59,759 10,530 

4,578 2,687 

946 989 495 

3,344 

$4,835 $1,363 

$185 $164 

$89 $26 $19 $17 $90 

Industry Total Wages (millions) Number of Jobs 

There yielditourispaid eRegio

Percenjobs in created establiPercenCoast recreatSource: BColgan, 2

Figure 17* Florida Source: Na

D

LA MS 

Number Number 

4.0 8.7 

0.6 1.0 

Distribution of Tourism and 

Recreation Employment 

Tourism and Recreation Jobs and Average 

Annual Pay in the Gulf Coast Region 

FL, 39% TX, 37% 

LA, 18% AL, 3% MS, 3% 

G u l f E c o n o m y 

Credit: Melissa Schneider 

12
Average 

16 14 12 10 

8 6 4 2 0 TX L

Figure 19. Average recreation-related jo(data not normalized Source: Bureau of Lab

Figure 18. Employment generated by tourism and recreation in the Gulf Coast Region. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2006; Colgan, 2004. 

Dollars 

Number of Persons 

(Thousands) 

Employed 

Employment Generated by 

Tourism and Recreation 

50,000+ 10,001 - 50,000 2,501 - 10,000 0 - 2,500 

TX 

LA 

MS AL 

FL 

GA 

SC 

MEXICO 

Gulf of Mexico 

Atlantic 

Ocean 

Figure 20. Percent of county employment generated by tourism and recreation in the Gulf Coast Region. 

Tourism and Recreation 

Employment as a 

Percent of Total County 

Employment 

Percent 

15+ 10 - 15 5 - 10 0 - 5 

Leading countie

generated by t

Monroe CountOrleans CountyFranklin CountOkaloosa CounRefugio County

TX 

LA 

MS AL 

FL 

GA 

SC 

MEXICO 

Gulf of Mexico 

Atlantic 

Ocean 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2006; Colgan, 2004. 
I

.

Oil and Gas Production 

G u l f E c o n o m y f 

a

G

 a

Apprgas psea fl Source: ApprMexiSource: RepoworkCoast Source: 

Total workiin the 

Source: 

Credit: NOAA 

The Gulf of Mexico region’s oil and gas industry is one of the most Sourdeveloped in the world. 

Crude Oil Natural Gas Crude Oil Refi nery 

Production Production Capacity 

52% of U.S. total 54% of U.S. total 47% of U.S. total 

Figure 21. U.S. energy production and refining capacity of the Gulf of Mexico region as percentages of the total U.S. share. These percentages represent the aggregation of federal offshore production in the Gulf of Mexico and the entire states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Source: Energy Information Administration, 2008. Photo credits from left to right: Oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, NOAA; Natural gas platforms visible from Dauphin Island, AL, beaches, Melissa Schneider; Galveston Bay, TX, refi nery, TPWD 

14 

Based on a three-year average of crude oil production from 2005 to 2007. 

Based on a three-year average of marketed production from 2004 to 2006. 

Based on a three-year average of atmospheric crude oil distillation operable capacity from 2006 to 2008. 
Figure 22. Oil and gas pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Proposed Active Other 

Status of Pipelines Status and Location of Oil 

and Gas Pipelines in the 

Gulf of Mexico Oil tanks near Fourchon B

TX 

LA 

MS AL 

FL 

GA 

Gulf of Mexico 

Source: Minerals Management Service, 2008a. 

Figure 23. Oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Natural gas platforms off AL. Credit: Mary Kate M

Active Platforms 

Location of Active Oil and 

Gas Platforms in the 

Gulf of Mexico 

TX 

LA 

MS AL 

FL 

GA 

Gulf of Mexico 

Source: Minerals Management Service, 2008b. 
G u l f E c o n o m y

Waterborne Commerce The U.S. economy relies heavily on the ports in the Gulf of Mexico region for the import and export of both foreign and domestic goods. The Gulf of Mexico region supports several ports that lead the Nation in total commerce. 

Six of the Nin 2006 for the Gulf of 

Respective rankU.S. waterbornSource: USACE, 2Number of miLouisiana stretRiver. The porin 2005 for tottonnage port in In 2006, tonnaregistering the history of the pSource: USACE, 2Number of miWaterway extenfrom Washingtwaterway is a dFlorida to Texafive U.S. Gulf oSource: USACE, 2Million cubic yArmy Corps omiles of south for 2005. The every football 

fi

- more than 28municipal stadiyards wide, and high. 

Source: USACE, 2

Top Ten Ports in the United States Ranked by Tonnage in 2006 

Table 6. Leading U.S. ports in 2006 by tonnage. *Note: The short ton (S/T) is a unit of mass equal to 2,000 pounds (exactly 907.18474 kilograms). This is different than a metric ton, which is equal to 1,000 kilograms. Source: USACE, 2007a (the USACE reports on the top 100 ports in the Nation). 

1 South Louisiana, LA 2 Houston, TX 3 New York, NY and NJ 4 Long Beach, CA 5 Beaumont, TX 6 Corpus Christi, T 7 Huntington – Tristate, WV-OH-PA 8 New Orleans, LA 9 Los Angeles, CA 10 Mobile, AL 

Rank 

Millions of 

Port Short Tons* 

Credit: Mike Henderson, NOAA 

Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Credit: TPWD 

Source: USACE

225.5 221.1 157.6 

84.4 79.5 77.6 77.2 76.9 66.0 59.8 

16
The Location of the 

Gulf of Mexico’s 

Principal Ports and 

Waterway Network 

Figure 24. The location of the Gulf of Mexico’s principal ports and shipping lanes. Principal ports are determined by the amount of total commerce in short tons. Source: USACE, 2007a, 2007d. 

Major ports Navigable waterways Intracoastal Waterway Rivers 

A 

B 

C D E 

F G

H 

I 

J 

K 

L 

M 

N O 

P 

Q R 

S 

T 

U 

V 

W 

X 

Y 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O 

BrownsCorpus Victoria MatagoFreeporHoustoTexas CGalvestBeaumoPort ArLake ChBaton RVicksbuPort of New Or

Six of the Gu

principal ports r

top 10 leadin

TX 

LA 

MS AL 

FL 

GA 

MEXICO 

Gulf of Mexico 

Atlantic 

Ocean 

AR SC

P Port of Q GulfporR Biloxi S PascagoT Mobile U PensacoV GuntersW Panama X Tampa BY Charlot

Port Fourchon, located in south Louisiana along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, is the point of transfer for approximately 75% of oil and gas produced within the Gulf outer continental shelf. Credit: Greater Lafourche Port Commission, 2006 Port of Corpus Christi, TX. Credit: Port of Corpus C
Gulf Ecology

Celebrating Diversity 

Barrier Islands 

Hypersaline Lagoons 

Coral Reefs 

We

Cyp

Barrier islands are formations of sand, shell, and gravel that exist along coasts. These islands form a defense against winds and waves and provide habitat for many species of animals. Padre Island, TX, is 130 miles long and is the world’s longest barrier island. Kemp’s Ridley turtle, which has long been considered the mostendangered sea turtle in the world, is known to nest there. 

Hypersaline lagoons are characterized by little to no inland water 

fl ow and 

high rates of evaporation. Combined with the Laguna Madre ofTamaulipas, Mexico, Laguna Madre in Texas is the largest hypersaline system in the world. This area is home to the only strain of highsalinity adapted oysters in North America. Additionally, nearly 80% ofall seagrass beds in Texas are found in the Laguna Madre. 

The wesoutheto help inundaErosioland suthreatecoast, wNationinto thof 35 sequivalminute

The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary encompasses a variety of habitat types, including the northern-most coral reefs in the continental United States. Located about 110 miles directly south of the Texas/Louisiana border, more than 300 acres of protected high-reliefreefs are home to more than 23 species of coral, 250 reefinvertebrates, 175 

fishes, and 80 algae 

species. 

In soudominwater treferreCypresyear rothe moAtchafRefugevital nducks, largest woodc

Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2006 

Credit: BProgram

Credit: Joyce and Frank Burek 

Credit: Joseph Tomaselli 

Credit: 

The Gulf of Mexico is home to diverse habitats, many unique to the Nation and the world. 

18 
Oyster Reefs 

Deep Coral Reefs Sponge Beds

White Sand Beaches 

Today in Alabama, oysters are harvested by the traditional method of tonging. This is carried out from small boats by using tongs (rakes on the ends of long wooden poles) to gather and hold the oysters until they are lifted on board. Much of the oyster tonging in Alabama is conducted on public oyster reefs, but increasing numbers of oysters are cultured in waters adjacent to privately owned land. 

At more than 60 miles in length and60 to 80 meters deep, Pulley Ridge is a series of drowned barrier islands on the southwest Florida Shelf. Unusual at this depth, the southern portion of the ridge is home to a variety of corals; green, red, and brown macroalgae; and shallow-water tropical 

fishes. From the scienti

fic 

perspective, southern Pulley Ridge may be the deepest coral reef in the United States. 

During the early part of this century, the sponge 

fishery was very 

important to Florida’s economy. Of the 

five sponge species harvested 

commercially in Florida, sheepswool is the most important because of its durability and softness. Commercial sponges are found in both the Florida Keys and the northern Gulf, with approximately 60,000 - 70,000 pounds of sponges harvested annually. 

Mangrov

Red mangrove, blwhite mangrove aspecies of mangrin Florida, particuKeys. Mangroves saltwater and in aflooded by saltwaprovide protected grounds, and nursland and marine acan also provide vprotection from werosion. 

The Gulf Islands National Seashore (the Nation’s largest) is comprised ofboth Florida and Mississippi beaches. The stunning white sand found on these beaches is composed of 

fine 

quartz eroded from granite in the Appalachian Mountains. The sand is carried to the Gulf by rivers and creeks and deposited along the beach by currents. 

Credit: U.S. Geological Survey 

Credit: National Park Service Credit: NOAA 

Credit: William Harrigan 

Credit: SeaWiFS Projand ORBIMAGE 

Credit: Renee Wilson, REstuarine Research Res
7 Ecoregions and Threats G u l f E c o l o g y 

This region of thornscrub and sparse grassland is locally known as the brush country. It comprises rolling plains and has a more distinct diversity of plant and animal life. This region includes: • Mesquite-grass • Woody plants • Cacti and other succulents • Birds such as Altimira oriole and elf owl • Rare animals such as the ocelot 

Threats to this region: • Overgrazing and  conversion to agriculture • Loss of native vegetation  through controlled burns  to make way for crops • Dam construction 

This region is distinguished by 

fl at topography, 

grassland expanses, and a mild, subtropical climate. The coastal portion is comprised of barrier islands, bays, estuaries, and tidal marshes, and the inland plains contain sparse remnant forest and savanna and cropland. 

This region includes: • Many animal species, of which over 200 are in  need of protection • Endangered Kemp’s  Ridley sea turtle nests at  one beach in the region 

Threats to this region: • Urbanization and industrialization • Fragmentation of remaining habitat • Oil and gas production 

This region is a 

flat alluvial plain broken up by river 

terraces, swales, and natural levees and undergoes regular 

flooding. The region essentially hugs the 

Mississippi River from the Gulf to the southern tip Illinois. 

This region includes: • Vital leg of a migratory bird 

fl yway 

• Threatened species such as the Swainson’s  Warbler and Louisiana  black bear 

Threats to this region: • Hydrologic alterations  to the region’s streams  and rivers • Heavy fertilizer, insectand herbicide use • Logging of small remaining bottomland 

Southern Texas Plains forestWestern Gulf Coast Plains 

Mississippi Alluvial Plain 

Credit: David Bezanson Credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

The Gulf of Mexico region is a rich mosaic of natural landscapes, agriculture, and an assortment of towns and cities. The region’s diversity provides abundant opportunities for uses like conservation, recreation, and commerce. Yet, at times, that very mix creates challenges in balancing these competing uses. 

ThfroMia h

Th•  g• • L

Gu

Source: Griffith et al., 2004; World Wildlife Fund, 2001d. Source: Griffith et al., 2004; World Wildlife Fund, 2001f. 

Source: Daigle et al., 2006; World Wildlife Fund, 2001a. 

Sou

TX 

MEXICO 

FigurSourc

20
e Fund, 2001c.

• 

Credit: National Park Service Source: Chapman et al., 2004; World Wildlif 

This region is characterized by its thick loess deposits (wind deposited silt). Its landscape includes irregular plains, gently rolling hills, and bluffs near the Mississippi River. This region includes: • Agriculture in the north • Forest and cropland mosaic in the south • Oak-hickory and  southern mesophytic forests 

Threats to this region: • Hydrologic alterations  to the region’s streams  and rivers • Heavy fertilizer,  insecticide, and herbicide use 

This region is comprised of irregular plains that diverse mix of cropland, pasture, woodland, and Urban uses are expanding and in some areas muthe land has been converted to agriculture. 

This region includes: • Native oak, hickory,  pine, and Southern  mixed forest • Diversity of snail  species, amphibians,  reptiles, birds, butter

fl ies, and 

mammals species 

Threats to this regio• Agricultural and u development • Logging and fores conversion to commercially viable • Lack of 

fire manag

for appropriate 

fire 

regimes 

The coastal area of this region is distinguished bbarrier islands, estuaries, and lagoons. Further inland there is 

flat topography with numerous fore

wetlands and lakes. The region’s land cover is purban development, and longleaf-slash pine forehardwood forests in low-lying areas. 

This region includes: • Important species such  as the Flatwoods Salamander and the endangered Pondberry (a rarely seen plant) 

Threats to this regio• Land conversion • Runoff from agric and urban expansio

A unique characteristic of this region is its frostclimate, making it unique in the continental UniStates. This region is characterized by 

flat plains 

wetlands where the vegetation is primarily evergand palmetto prairie. 

This region includes: 

Everglades and 

palmetto prairie vegetation • Several parks, game  refuges, and Indian  reservations 

Threats to this regio• Hydrological and biological alteration• Urban and agricult expansion 

Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southeastern Plains 

Southern Coastal Plain 

Southern Florida Coastal Plain 

Atlantic Ocean. Ocean waters enter from the Yucatan Channel and exit 

op current. Freshwater sources to the Gulf are from rivers, especially the 

e United States and Mexico. The region’s biologic productivity allows for 

pecies of 

fish, sea birds, and marine mammals. 

 oysters, 

turtles. 

Threats to this region: • Habitat loss, hypoxia, 

fisheries declines, harmful 

 algal blooms, climate change, marine debris,  chemical pollution, invasive species, sea level rise 

m 

Source: Griffith et al., 1994. Source: Griffith et al., 1994; NatureServe Explorer, 2007. Source: Griffith et al., 1994; NatureServe Explorer, 2007. 

MS AL 

FL 

GA 

Gulf of Mexico 

SC 

Atlantic 

Ocean 

he Gulf of Mexico. 
G u l f E c o l o g y Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico 

There are numerous threats to the Gulf of Mexico marine ecosystem, including the world’s second largest human-caused zone of hypoxia. This hypoxic area, commonly referred to as the “Dead Zone,” illustrates the enormity and complexity of the threats facing the region’s ecology and economy. What is Hypoxia? Hypoxia refers to depleted concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the water column, so depleted that 

fish and shell

fish might not have enough 

oxygen to survive. Hypoxia can occur naturally; however, it often indicates a human-caused oversupply of nutrients – speci

fically nitrogen and 

phosphorus – from both urban and agricultural sources. This oversupply of nutrients in the water, a state called eutrophication, can cause intensive growth of plants and phytoplankton, or single-celled algae. When this bloom of plants and phytoplankton dies, they sink to the ocean bottom and decompose, a process which consumes dissolved oxygen. Gulf Hypoxia and the Mississippi Valley Watershed The Mississippi River begins below Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, and 

flows approximately 2,350 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. On 

this journey, the Mississippi River captures runoff from 41% of the continental United States, making it the largest watershed in North America. Human activities have greatly altered the Mississippi River and its watershed; as a result, the river delivers substantial amounts of sediment, nutrients, and chemical pollutants to the Gulf of Mexico. Since the 1970s, scientists have documented a large area of hypoxia offthe coast of Louisiana and Texas. This “Dead Zone” forms annually in late spring, reaching its greatest extent in midsummer, and ebbing in the fall. Since 1985, it has 

fluctuated between 15 and 8,500 square miles in 

size, forming in the middle of a nationally important commercial and recreational 

fi shing area. 

Figure 26. The Mississippi River watershed and loGulf of Mexico. Source: U.S. Geological Survey, 2004. 

Figure 27. Bottom-water dissolved oxygen concenSource: NOAA/A. Sapp, Louisiana Universities Marin

22
Acknowledgements 

The authors would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to the Gulf of Mexico at a Glance report: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Michael BaileyHeather BloughEmily CrumMargaret DavidsonHansje Gold-KrueckTimothy GoodspeedAlison HammerJohn HayesStephen HolimanBrian KellerGini KennedyBob LeeworthyRobert MagnienPete SheridanBuck SutterMike TravisRobb WrightEnvironmental Protection Agency Bryon GriffithGlenn GriffithJames OmernikKate Scho

field

Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service Joseph ChristopherTara MontgomeryWilfred TimesU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Susan HassettLynn MartinNational Ocean Economics Program Charles Colgan 

End Notes 

1 The shoreline miles presented in the Introduchigh water line digitized from NOAA’s nautical 2 Coastal counties within the Southeast, Paci

fic

determined using the same criteria as explained Introduction. 

3 Hydrologic units are classi

fied at four levels: r

units, and cataloging units. Cataloging units are this hierarchy (U.S. Geological Survey, 1987). Tin the United States, with an average 703 squarConservation and Recreation, 2004). 

4 Seasonal homes is one of six data elements coas part of the vacancy status of housing units. excludes the following: vacant housing units fooccupied), or for migrant workers (U.S. Census 5 The Coastal Vulnerbility Index of Low, Modecategories is determined using six physical variarate of relative sea-level rise, shoreline erosion and mean wave height. All variables are assignpotential magnitude of its contribution to physrises (Thieler and Hammar-Klose, 2006). For fpubs.usgs.gov/of/2000/of00-179/. 6 A beach day is de

fined as a person-day of use 

a whole day or any part of a day (Leeworthy an

7 The ecoregions listed and described in the Ecthose that follow the coastline of the Gulf of Mthe East Central Texas Plains Ecoregion, the Tand the South Central Plains Ecoregion intersecoastal counties, but are not described in this rethese ecoregions, visit: http://www.epa.gov/w
References 

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Appendix 

The Gulf Coast Region 

28
1

23456789

1011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Counties
 

Florida Bay Calhoun Charlotte 

33 34 35 36 

Pinellas Polk Santa Rosa Sarasota 

62 63 

Wilkinson Louisiana Acadia 

93 94 95 96 

St. Tammany Tangipahoa Terrebonne Vermilion 

124 125 126 127 

Citrus Collier DeSoto Dixie Escambia Franklin 

37 38 39 40 41 42 

Sumter Suwannee Taylor Wakulla Walton Washington 

64 65 66 67 68 69 

Ascension Assumption Avoyelles Beauregard Calcasieu Cameron 

97 98 99 

100 

Vernon Washington West Baton Rouge West Feliciana Texas 

128 129 130 13132 133 

Gadsden 70 East Baton Rouge 101 Aransas 134 Gilchrist Glades 43 

Alabama Baldwin 

71 72 

East Feliciana Evangeline 

102 103 

Austin Bee 

135 136 

Gulf 44 Clarke 73 Iberia 104 Brazoria 137 Hardee Hendry 

45 46 

Covington Escambia 

74 75 

Iberville Jefferson 

105 106 

Brooks Calhoun 

138 139 

Hernando 47 Geneva 76 Jefferson Davis 107 Cameron 140 Hillsborough Holmes 

48 49 

Mobile Monroe 

77 78 

Lafayette Lafourche 

108 109 

Chambers Colorado 

14

Jackson 50 Washington 79 Livingston 110 DeWitt Jefferson 80 Orleans 111 Duval Lafayette Lake 51 

Mississippi Amite 

81 82 

Plaquemines Point Coupee 

112 113 

Fayette Fort Bend 

Lee 52 George 83 Rapides 114 Galveston Leon 53 Hancock 84 Sabine 115 Goliad Levy 54 Harrison 85 St. Bernard 116 Harris Liberty Madison 

55 56 

Jackson Lamar 

86 87 

St. Charles St. Helena 

117 118 

Hidalgo Jackson 

Manatee Marion 

57 58 

Marion Pearl River 

88 89 

St. James St. John the Baptist 

119 120 

Jasper Jefferson 

Monroe Okaloosa 

59 60 

Pike Stone 

90 91 

St. Landry St. Martin 

121 122 

Jim Hogg Jim Wells 

Pasco 61 Walthall 92 St. Mary 123 Kenedy 
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance is a partnership among the states of Alabama, Florid

Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, with the goal of significantly increasing regiona

collaboration to enhance the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mex

www.gulfofmexicoalliance.org