I m p l e m e n tat i o n o f 

the Deep Sea Coral Research 

and Technology Program

2008 – 2009

NOAA

Report to Congress

February 2010
Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

For more information about this report or to request a copy, please 

contact: NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, National Marine 

Fisheries Service, Office of Habitat Conservation. 1315 East-West 

Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Tel: 301-713-4300. 

Or visit:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/2010_deepcoralreport.pdf

This document was produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce, in consultation 

with Regional Fishery Management Councils, to fulfill requirements of the 

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act 

of 2006 (P.L. 109-479). 

February 2010

Cover photo: A blackbelly rosefish and squat lobster associate with a deep-sea Lophelia coral reef off the Southeast U.S.

Photo Credit: S. Ross et al., NOAA/USGS DISCOVRE Cruise
1

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS REPORT .....................................................................................................................................................3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................................................................................................................................................4

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................6

CHAPTER 2: DEEP SEA CORAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM – FISCAL YEAR 2009 

ACTIVITIES........................................................................................................................................................................9

 2.1 Overview.................................................................................................................................................................................................9

 2.2 Field Mapping and Research...............................................................................................................................................................11

 2.3 Analysis and Management of Existing Data and Information.....................................................................................................18

 2.4 Analysis of Fishing Intensity and Deep-Sea Coral Bycatch...........................................................................................................28

CHAPTER 3: COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES TO IDENTIFY, MONITOR, AND PROTECT DEEP-SEA CORAL AREAS

IN 2008 – 2009....................................................................................................................................................................34

 3.1 NOAA and the Councils.....................................................................................................................................................................35

 3.2 Federal Interagency Cooperation.......................................................................................................................................................48

 3.3 International Activities.........................................................................................................................................................................49

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS.....................................................................................................52

REFERENCES..................................................................................................................................................................54

LIST OF ACRONYMS......................................................................................................................................................56

APPENDICES....................................................................................................................................................................57

 A1. MSA Section 408. Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program.....................................................................................57

 A2. Major Deep-Sea Corals........................................................................................................................................................................58

 A3. Deep-Sea Coral Areas in the U.S. EEZ with Limited Protection from Interactions with Fishing Gear................................59 

 A4. United Nations General Assembly Sustainable Fisheries Resolution (2009)..............................................................................63

DATA SOURCES FOR THE MAPS.................................................................................................................................64
2Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

List of Maps

Map 1. Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2009 multibeam map.

Map 2. Bottom trawling intensity and the locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off the Southeast U.S. 

Map 3. Bottom trawling intensity (2003 to 2005) and the locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off California

Map 4. Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off the Northeast U.S. 

Map 5. Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off the Southeast U.S.

Map 6. South Atlantic Council’s proposed C-HAPCs

Map 7. South Atlantic Council’s proposed allowable fishing areas

Map 8. Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Map 9. Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off the Hawaiian Archipelago

Map 10. Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off the U.S. West Coast

Map 11. Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off Alaska

This report includes a series of maps showing known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals in selected 

U.S. regions. These maps represent an initial data product of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program. These initial maps are presented in the report for illustrative purposes, and are not meant to be used 

for management purposes. Due to the resolution of these maps, a single point may include more than one 

record. The Program expects to begin analysis of the underlying data in 2010. 

The data do not represent density of coral cover but rather known locations of coral that have been compiled 

by the Program to date and reported by different coral Orders. Compilation of existing data has just begun, so 

information on many orders is incomplete. Reported coral locations are limited to where fishing or research has 

occurred. Thus, areas where no corals are shown on a map may reflect either an absence of corals or an absence 

of sampling. The origin of data varies, including NMFS bottom trawl survey and fisheries observer program 

databases, fishery management council databases, research cruise results, museum collections and literature 

citations. A listing of the data sources for the regional maps is found at the end of this report. 

The boundaries for the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone shown on the maps are for illustrative purposes only and 

are not intended to reflect areas claimed by the U.S. 
3

About this Report

In January 2007, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 

(P.L. 109-479) was enacted, reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 

(16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) (MSA), and including a requirement to establish the “Deep Sea Coral Research and 

Technology Program.” Section 408 (b) of the reauthorized Act tasked NOAA with submitting, in consultation 

with the Regional Fishery Management Councils, “biennial reports to Congress and the public on steps taken by 

the Secretary of Commerce to identify, monitor, and protect deep-sea coral areas, including summaries of the 

results of mapping, research and data collection performed under the program.” The first Report to Congress 

(NOAA 2008) was submitted in 2008 (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/rtc.pdf). This is the second biennial 

report in fulfillment of that requirement. 

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received $1.5 million to begin 

implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program. The Deep Sea Coral Research 

and Technology Program is being developed and implemented under the auspices of NOAA’s Coral Reef 

Conservation Program and in collaboration with NOAA’s NMFS; National Ocean Service (NOS); Office of 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR); and National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information 

Service (NESDIS); in consultation with the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils; and in coordination 

with other Federal agencies and educational institutions. This report summarizes activities initiated by NOAA 

with FY 2009 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program funding.

In addition to the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program, multiple NOAA programs, such as 

National Marine Sanctuaries, Ocean Exploration and Research, Fisheries Science Centers, Fishery Management 

Program, and the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, support exploration, research and managment 

activities critical to understanding and managing trust resources, including but not limited to deep-sea corals. 

Annual budget support for these complementary deep-sea coral activities varies based on programmatic 

priorities. This report provides a brief summary by region of the important research, conservation, and 

managment actions that have taken place since the first Report to Congress in 2008. 
4Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

This is the second biennial Report to Congress and the public on Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral 

Research and Technology Program, established under the authority of Section 408 of the Magnuson-Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The report, prepared by the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in consultation with the Regional Fishery Management Councils, 

summarizes activities initiated with fiscal year (FY) 2009 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 

funding. It also briefly summarizes critical, complementary activities by other NOAA programs to support 

exploration, research and management of deep-sea coral ecosystems that have taken place since the first Report 

to Congress was submitted in 2008.

NOAA’s Strategic Approach to Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Ecosystems

In 2009, NOAA developed a Strategic Plan for Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Ecosystems: Research, Management, and 

International Cooperation (NOAA, in review). The Strategic Plan addresses the requirements of the Deep Sea 

Coral Research and Technology Program, but is broader and covers all of NOAA’s relevant mandates, programs 

and activities related to these ecosystems for FY 2010–2019. The primary goal of the Strategic Plan is to 

improve the understanding, conservation, and management of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems. 

The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program

In FY 2009, NOAA received $1.5 million to begin implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and 

Technology Program. The first year saw an integrated set of activities designed to inform the management of 

deep-sea coral ecosystems:

□ The Program began a 3-year mapping and research effort in the Southeast United States, developed 

in consultation with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. New deep-sea coral areas were 

discovered during the first year’s field season, providing new information relevant to the Council’s 

proposed deepwater Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (C-HAPCs). 

□ The Program began development of a national capability to manage data and information on deep-sea 

coral and sponge ecosystems. 

□ The Program supported smaller projects in most U.S. regions to analyze existing information that can 

inform management of U.S. deep-sea coral ecosystems, to analyze and map the distribution and intensity 

of fishing activities using gears that may damage deep-sea corals in Federal waters, and to develop 

methods to improve identification of coral and sponge bycatch in fisheries. 

Executive Summary
5

Complementary Activities to Identify, Monitor, and Protect Deep-Sea Coral Areas 

The Congressional mandate for a Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program signaled recognition of 

the considerable work that multiple NOAA programs (e.g., National Marine Sanctuaries, Ocean Exploration 

and Research, Fisheries Science Centers, Fishery Management Program, and National Centers for Coastal 

Ocean Science) have conducted for years on these critical ecosystems. The Deep Sea Coral Research and 

Technology Program continues to leverage past and ongoing activities conducted by its NOAA partners. 

NOAA continues to work with the Regional Fishery Management Councils and numerous other partners 

to explore, study, and manage deep-sea coral ecosystems. These activities are implemented by other NOAA 

programs that build upon longstanding partnerships. Major actions that have taken place in 2008 and 2009 

include the following:

□ In September 2009, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council recommended protection of 

five deepwater C-HAPCs. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, this action will protect 24,215 

square miles of habitat (twice the size of Maryland) containing the most extensive deep-sea stony coral 

reefs known in the northwest Atlantic. 

□ In the U.S. Pacific, three new Marine National Monuments were designated in 2009. Although largely 

unexplored, important deep-sea coral communities are expected to occur in these regions. 

□ In September 2008, NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Minerals Management Service, 

and U.S. Geological Survey embarked on a 4-year effort to explore deep-sea coral sites in the deep Gulf 

of Mexico and characterize their biology, ecology, and genetic connectivity. In both 2008 and 2009, 

major expeditions involving scientists from various agencies and universities were conducted from 

NOAA ships.

□ Habitat conservation efforts with the potential to provide significant protection to deep-sea coral 

communities are currently under development by the New England Fishery Management Council. 

□ NOAA is expanding national and international partnerships, including work with the Department of 

State, to implement a 2006 United Nations resolution to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems on the 

high seas from destructive fishing practices.

Next Steps

FY 2010 Activities: In FY 2010 Congress appropriated an additional $1 million, for a total of $2.5 million, 

for the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program. The Program will continue the second year of 

field science activities in the Southeast United States, and initiate a new 3-year field science effort off the U.S. 

West Coast. Smaller-scale investments will be implemented in other U.S. regions, designed to address other 

requirements of the Program, including identifying the locations of deep-sea corals, monitoring activities at 

these locations, and performing associated data management. 

Outreach to Councils: NOAA will also continue to extend its outreach efforts to engage with the Regional Fishery 

Management Councils. In particular, NOAA will further encourage the Councils to evaluate areas known to 

contain deep-sea corals for protection as allowed under discretionary provisions of the MSA. 

Links to Ocean Policy: The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program supports the implementation 

strategy outlined in the Interim Report of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, particularly its emphasis 

on ecosystem-based management, comprehensive marine spatial planning, and regional ecosystem protection.
6Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

The first Report to Congress on the Implementation of 

the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program

(NOAA 2008) outlined the nature and importance 

of deep-sea coral communities and the threats they 

face. The Report also identified NOAA’s authorities 

to study and manage these ecosystems and proposed 

an approach to implement the Deep Sea Coral 

Research and Technology Program (the Program) 

called for in Section 408 of the Magnuson-Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) 

(see Appendix 1). 

Building on the first report, this 2010 report 

identifies NOAA’s strategic approach toward deepsea coral and sponge ecosystems, and describes the 

first year of implementation of the Deep Sea Coral 

Research and Technology Program. The Report 

also briefly summarizes critical complementary 

activities funded by other NOAA programs and 

partners to support science and management of 

deep-sea coral ecosystems in 2008 and 2009 in 

each U.S. region. Lastly, the Report provides a brief 

update on important international conservation 

efforts in which NOAA has been a partner. NOAA’s 

approach recognizes existing and emerging threats to 

these ecosystems (see Box 1) and builds partnerships 

to address them. 

The major structure-forming coral taxa addressed 

in this report are outlined in Appendix 2. Further 

background on deep-sea coral ecosystems can be 

found in Roberts et al. (2009) and in the State of 

Deep Coral Ecosystems of the United States (Lumsden 

et al. 2007).

Chapter 1: Introduction 

NOAA’s Strategic Plan for Deep-Sea 

Coral and Sponge Ecosystems: Research, 

Management, and International 

Cooperation

In 2009, NOAA developed a Strategic Plan for 

Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Ecosystems: Research, 

Management, and International Cooperation (NOAA, 

in review). The Strategic Plan identifies goals, 

objectives, and approaches to guide NOAA’s 

research, management, and international 

cooperation activities on deep-sea coral and 

sponge ecosystems for FY 2010 – 2019. This 

plan integrates research and conservation 

needs and is intended to be a flexible, evolving 

document that allows NOAA and its partners 

to address new management challenges and 

priorities as appropriate. The primary goal of this 

Strategic Plan is to improve the understanding, 

conservation, and management of deep-sea coral 

and sponge ecosystems. 

The Strategic Plan addresses the requirements 

of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program, but is broader in scope and addresses 

all of NOAA’s relevant mandates and programs. 

As such, this plan has the potential to influence 

a much larger realm of NOAA activities beyond 

the Program.

NOAA developed a strategic plan for deep-sea coral and 

sponge ecosystems in 2009.

Photo credit: S.W. Ross et al.
7

Box 1. Threats to Deep-Sea Corals

The State of Deep Coral Ecosystems of the United States (Lumsden et al. 2007) and the first Report to 

Congress (NOAA 2008) summarized knowledge on the major threats to deep-sea coral ecosystems in 

general, and to these ecosystems in each U.S. region in particular. These reports concluded that damage 

from bottom trawling was the greatest threat to deep-sea coral ecosystems in areas where trawling is 

allowed and overlaps deep-sea coral habitats. Fishing with other gear that contacts the bottom (e.g., 

traps and pots, bottom-set longlines, and bottom-set gill nets) was generally the next most serious threat. 

Damage to deep-sea coral habitats by fishing gear continues to be a major concern. Such threats are 

manageable with appropriate gear restrictions in areas where corals are likely to occur. For example, the 

potential expansion of such fishing into deep-sea coral areas in the South Atlantic Fishery Management 

Council’s jurisdiction would be significantly curtailed if the proposed Deepwater Coral Habitat Areas of 

Particular Concern (C-HAPCs) are implemented (see section 3.1).

Deep-sea coral ecosystems also may face adverse impacts from energy exploration and development, 

deployment of cables and pipelines, and other human activities that disturb the seafloor. Potential new 

activities or emerging threats with potential consequences for deep-sea corals include the following:

□ Geographic expansion of the Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which could 

include new areas with significant deep-sea coral habitats. 

□ Deep-sea mining of cobalt-rich crusts on seamounts at depths where deep-sea corals occur.

□ Ocean acidification due to increased atmospheric CO2, which lowers the saturation states of the 

calcium carbonate minerals used to form supporting skeletal structures in many major groups 

of marine organisms, including corals. This change in ocean chemistry will reduce the ability of 

corals to produce calcium carbonate skeletons (calcification) and build reefs.

Red tree corals (Primnoa sp.) are periodically 

caught in bottom trawl gear in Alaskan waters. 

This specimen was caught during the NOAA 

Fisheries groundfish stock assessment survey in 

Dixon Entrance, Gulf of Alaska.

Photo Credit: R. Lauth, Alaska Fisheries 

Science Center
8Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Table 1. Summary of Objectives from NOAA’s Draft Strategic Plan for Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Ecosystems: 

Research, Management, and International Cooperation

GOAL OBJECTIVES

Exploration

and Research

1. Locate and characterize deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems. 

2. Understand the biology and ecology of deep-sea corals and sponges. 

3. Understand the biodiversity and ecology of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems. 

4. Understand the extent and degree of impact to deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems 

caused by fishing and other human activities.

5. Understand past oceanic conditions and predict the impacts of climate change using 

deep-sea corals.

Conservation 

and Management

1. Protect areas containing known deep-sea coral or sponge communities from impacts 

of bottom-tending fishing gear.

2. Protect areas that may support deep-sea coral and sponge communities where mobile 

bottom-tending fishing gear has not been used recently, as a precautionary measure. 

3. Develop regional approaches to further reduce interactions between fishing gear and 

deep-sea corals and sponges. 

4. Enhance conservation of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems in National Marine 

Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments.

5. Assess and encourage avoidance or mitigation of adverse impacts of non-fishing 

activities on deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems. 

6. Provide outreach and coordinated communications to enhance public understanding 

of these ecosystems. 

International 

Cooperation

1. Promote international partnerships to conserve deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems through 

the sustainable management of deep-sea fisheries activities impacting those resources.

2. Ensure that international trade of deep-sea coral and sponge species, and their parts 

and products, is sustainable.

3. Increase international exploration and research of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems.

The objectives under each of the three goals laid out in 

the Strategic Plan are shown in Table 1. The Exploration 

and Research goal identifies the role of research in 

management. NOAA’s exploration and research on deepsea coral and sponge ecosystems are designed to provide 

decision-makers with sound scientific information that 

will enable effective ecosystem-based management 

decisions. The Conservation and Management goal 

lays out objectives and approaches that NOAA will 

undertake to enhance protection of deep-sea coral and 

sponge ecosystems working with the Regional Fishery 

Management Councils, National Marine Sanctuaries, and 

other Federal agencies and partners. NOAA’s strategy 

for managing deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems is 

centered on the authority provided to NOAA through 

the MSA and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. 

Because NOAA, in partnership with the Regional Fishery 

Management Councils, is the Federal agency responsible 

for managing fisheries in the exclusive economic zone 

(EEZ), managing fishing threats to these ecosystems is 

one of the primary focuses of the Strategic Plan. The 

International goal describes NOAA’s participation in 

international activities to study and conserve vulnerable 

marine species and ecosystems in the deep sea , including 

deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems.
9

The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program (the Program) is being implemented by 

NMFS, NOS, OAR, and NESDIS under the auspices 

of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. 

The Program is an integrated effort that consists 

of analysis and management of existing data and 

information as well as new field research and mapping 

initiatives. 

Funding Provided to Implement the 

Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program in 2009

Funding to implement the inaugural year of the Deep 

Sea Coral Research and Technology Program totaled 

$1,500,000 in FY 2009. This funding came from a

NOAA budget line item entitled Sustainable Habitat 

Management. 

Table 2 lists the activities the Program initiated 

in 2009, along with the specific MSA provisions 

addressed. Individual activities are summarized 

in the following sections. Most Program activities 

have just begun implementation, so the summaries 

represent interim reports of results. Many of 

these projects leveraged significant outside 

funding and involved partners from other Federal 

agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and 

universities.

Chapter 2: Deep Sea Coral Research 

and Technology Program – 

Fiscal Year 2009 Activities

2.1 Overview

A Lophelia reef explored in 

2009 in the southeast U.S.

Photo credit: S. Ross et al., 

NOAA/USGS DISCOVRE 

Cruise
10Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Table 2. Projects and activities funded to implement the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program in FY 2009

Project Title MSA Sec. 408 

Provision

Funding 

Provided

Field Research and Mapping of Deep-Sea Coral Ecosystems

Southeast U.S. Deep-Sea Coral Research and Mapping (a) 2, 4 $1,013,500

Southeast U.S. Deep-Sea Coral Research Priorities Workshop (a) 1, 2, 4 $20,000

West Coast Research Coordination Workshop (a) 1,2,4 $15,000

Database Development and GIS Analysis

U.S. National Deep-Sea Coral Data and GIS Management (a)1,2,3,4 $150,000

Enhancing the West Coast Regional Deep-Sea Coral Database (a)1,2,3,4 $12,000

Projects to Inform Conservation through the Analysis of Existing Data and Information 

Deriving Deep-sea Coral and Sponge Distribution Data from Archived Video Records (a) 1,2 $15,000

Analysis of AUV Sonar Data from Deepwater Coral Habitats off Eastern Florida (a) 1,2 $15,000

Analysis and Distribution of Deepwater Commercial Fisheries Species (Golden Crab, Tilefish, Royal 

Red Shrimp) in Deepwater Coral Habitats off Eastern Florida

(a) 1 $10,000

 Integrating Mapping and Fisheries Data for Deep-Sea Coral Habitats off South Carolina and 

Georgia 

(a) 1,2 $15,000

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Deep Coral Investigations (a) 1 $15,000

Deep-Sea Coral Community Research off California (a) 1,2 $15,000

Using Cordell Bank as a Model to Conduct Fine-Scale Deep-sea Coral Predictive Habitat Modeling (a) 1,5 $15,000

Analysis of Fishing Intensity and Deep-Sea Coral Bycatch

Mapping the Intensity of Fishing in the Northeast Using Gears That May Damage Deep-Sea Corals (a) 1,3 $30,000

Analysis of Fishing Intensity and Potential Deep-Sea Coral Impacts in the US South Atlantic and 

Gulf of Mexico Regions

(a) 1,3 $36,000

Mapping the Distribution and Intensity of Bottom Trawling Effort Along the California Coast from 

1997 to 2008, with Impacts on Deep-Sea Corals

(a) 1,3 $32,637

Taxonomic and Genetic Identification of Fisheries Bycatch of Deep-Sea Corals during the 2009 

West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey

(a) 1,3,4 $40,243

A Field Guide to the Deepwater Sponges of the Aleutian Islands Archipelago (a) 1,3 $20,750

Program Coordination (a) & (b) $28,370

Hollings Fellowship $1,500

TOTAL $1,500,000
11

Background

In FY 2009, NOAA began a 3-year mapping and 

research effort focused on the deep-sea coral 

ecosystems of the Southeast U.S. Activities completed 

during the first year addressed MSA requirements 

to locate and map locations of deep-sea corals (Sec. 

408(a)(2)) and conduct research on deep-sea corals 

and related species (Sec. 408(a)(4)) – providing key 

information needed to protect deep-sea coral habitats 

in this region. A key component of the process 

was coordination with the South Atlantic Fishery 

Management Council (SAFMC) to determine specific 

areas to target and issues to address.

The Southeast U.S. (outer continental shelf and slope 

off the Carolinas to Florida: the SAFMC Region) 

was selected as the initial area for field operations 

under this national program based on the importance 

of its deep-sea coral habitats and the ability of the 

research to inform conservation efforts. The region 

contains the most extensive and well developed 

deep-sea stony coral reefs in U.S. waters, as well as an 

abundance of other coral habitats (e.g., gorgonians, 

black and gold corals). 

2.2 Field Mapping and Research

The Johnson Sea Link submersible emerges with the microlander 

on the front.

Photo Credit: L. Baird, NOAA/USGS DISCOVRE Cruise

Lophelia reef surveyed on the 2009 submersible cruise.

Photo Credit: S. Ross et al., NOAA/USGS DISCOVRE Cruise
12Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

The SAFMC has been proactive in working to 

conserve these areas by establishing deepwater Coral 

Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (C-HAPCs) 

where the use of all bottom-damaging fishing gear 

would be prohibited. The proposed areas encompass 

more than 24,000 square miles (> 60,000 km2, about 

twice the size of Maryland) containing deep-sea 

coral ecosystems. Much of the fundamental science 

underpinning the proposed C-HAPCs was funded 

by NOAA programs over the past ten years. In 

addition, the SAFMC is also proposing designation 

of “allowable fishing areas” for the golden crab 

(Chaceon fenneri) and deepwater shrimp fisheries which 

occur within and in the vicinity of the C-HAPCs, 

respectively. However, accurate maps of the majority 

of these areas, including the locations of deep-sea 

coral habitats, do not currently exist and the SAFMC is 

particularly concerned with direct and indirect impacts 

from fishing activities on deep-sea coral ecosystems in 

the region. 

Deep-Sea Coral Exploration and Research 

Priorities Workshop 

In July 2009, NOAA convened a Deep-Sea Coral 

Exploration and Research Priorities Workshop for 

the Southeast U.S., in Wilmington, North Carolina, 

where scientists and resource managers identified and 

prioritized critical information needs to improve our 

understanding of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems 

to help inform management. The workshop helped 

NOAA ensure that the research activities address 

management needs, maximize opportunities to utilize 

regional expertise, and leverage and complement 

existing regional efforts. Workshop participants 

represented a broad range of stakeholders, including 

the Federal government, SAFMC, academia, private 

industry and nongovernmental organizations (NGO). 

The principal outcome of this workshop was a list of 

research priorities. 

The three highest priorities identified by the 

participants were to:

□ Map and characterize deep-sea coral habitats in 

the proposed deepwater C-HAPCs. 

□ Understand species and coral habitat 

relationships and the factors that control or 

influence them. 

□ Identify and assess areas impacted by fishing 

and non-fishing activities. 

The Southeast workshop report will be available 

at: http://coralreef.noaa.gov. A Research Priorities 

Workshop for the U.S. West Coast was held in January 

2010. 

Box 2: How NOAA plans for field activities to study deep-sea corals under the Deep Sea Coral Research and 

Technology Program

Research on, and conservation of, deep-sea coral ecosystems has lagged behind similar efforts on shallower 

systems. There are a variety reasons for this, including that the extent of these ecosystems was generally unknown 

until the last 15 years. Also, these ecosystems are relatively inaccessible; research requires expensive, specialized 

equipment and presents logistical constraints not encountered in near-shore shallow zones. 

In order to be effective with limited resources and to help ensure the Program has a significant conservation 

impact in a particular region, major investments (i.e., more than $750,000) in new deep-sea coral field research and 

mapping will be targeted to a single geographic area over at least a 3-year period. The rationale for this approach 

reflects the high cost of deep-sea field operations. The Program will expand into a new region after three years, 

or as additional funding becomes available. As noted above, smaller-scale investments will continue to support 

projects across the nation. 

For FY 2009, the Southeast U.S. (South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Region) was chosen as the first 

focal area. In FY 2010, the Program expects to receive an additional $1,000,000, which will allow new field work 

initiatives to expand to a second region, notably the U.S. West Coast (Pacific Fishery Management Council Region).
13

FY 2009 Field Science Activities

An integrated research and mapping program was 

developed with four field research missions funded in 

FY 2009: 

□ Submersible Cruise: A cruise aboard the 

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute 

(HBOI) R/V Seward Johnson, utilizing the 

Johnson Sea Link (JSL) submersible. 

□ Mapping Cruise 1: A multibeam mapping 

survey cruise with the NOAA Ship Nancy 

Foster. 

□ Benthic Lander Cruise: A cruise to deploy an 

underwater observatory (benthic lander) with 

University of North Carolina at Wilmington 

(UNCW); and

□ Mapping Cruise 2: A multibeam mapping 

survey with University of South Florida (USF). 

The near-term goal was to collect information for the 

SAFMC to use in refining the border of the C-HAPC. 

The mapping cruises were designed to identify 

potential deep-sea coral habitats in the C-HAPC and 

guide the Program’s research efforts in FY 2010 and 

FY 2011. 

Submersible Cruise

In August 2009, the Program’s initial cruise off Cape 

Canaveral, Florida was completed aboard the R/V 

Seward Johnson. The primary operations included 

22 dives in the JSL manned submersible on known 

or suspected deep-sea coral sites along the margin 

between the Stetson-Miami Terrace C-HAPC and the 

allowable fishing areas (Map 7). Data were collected 

at 108 stations and supplemented with ship-based 

oceanographic sampling and biological collections. 

Additional information on methods and results is 

available in the cruise report (Ross 2009).

The primary research goals of the cruise were to (1) 

identify and characterize deep-sea coral habitats, and 

(2) to collect samples and observations necessary 

to better understand the ecology of the structureforming corals and the relationship of associated 

species to these habitats. 

The preliminary conclusions from this cruise indicate 

the three inshore sites (400 – 540 m depths) and 

southern most deep sites (680 – 750 m depths) had 

the most structurally complex coral habitats. The 

shallower inshore sites were some of the most 

biologically interesting and diverse ones. These sites 

were characterized by large colonies of living Lophelia 

Box 3: NOAA’s collaborative partnerships in deep-sea coral field research

In the FY 2009 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program field activities in the Southeast U.S., NOAA 

collaborated with numerous partners and will continue to do so in the future. These collaborations allowed the 

Program to utilize methodologies comparable to those used in research conducted by partners in the Gulf of 

Mexico and across the Atlantic, adding international value to the research conducted. Many of these collaborations 

provided significant leverage against NOAA expenditures and afforded cost savings for all parties involved. At 

the Federal level, four NOAA line offices were involved along with the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the 

Minerals Management Service (MMS). Academic partners included UNCW, USF, College of Charleston, Florida 

Atlantic University, Temple University, and the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. NGOs and international partners 

included Marine Conservation Biology Institute, HBOI, the Scottish Association for Marine Science, and the Royal 

Netherlands Institute for Sea Research. Research operations were coordinated through NOAA’s new Cooperative 

Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology.
14Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

pertusa and Madrepora oculata as well as an abundant and 

diverse assemblage of fishes and large invertebrates. 

Golden crab, an important fisheries species managed 

under the SAFMC Golden Crab Fishery Management 

Plan (FMP), were common on these inshore sites and 

often observed in close association with the corals. 

These inshore sites are within the depth range of the 

golden crab allowable fishing zones as designated in 

the Council’s proposed Comprehensive EcosystemBased Amendment 1. The southern most deep sites 

were also characterized by extremely high invertebrate 

biodiversity. 

The least well developed coral habitats occur in the 

deep northern most and central stations (700 – 760 

m depths), and appear to support fewer invertebrates. 

Coral mound formations on these sites were almost 

completely covered with mostly dead L. pertusa coral. 

Most sites exhibited a well developed sponge 

community composed of many species. Black corals 

and bamboo corals appeared to be rare in all of the 

areas surveyed. 

Benthic animals associated with the corals were 

frequently observed feeding upon various midwater 

animals (e.g., crabs eating midwater fishes). As in 

past observations, several fish species appeared to be 

exclusively associated with coral habitat. Although 

identifications of all species collected are yet to be 

completed, it appears likely that several undescribed 

species of invertebrates were collected.

In addition to meeting the primary goals of the cruise, 

the interdisciplinary scientific team conducted a 

number of associated studies and collections that will 

provide a fuller understanding of these ecosystems:

□ Corals were collected to measure coral growth 

Map 1: Multibeam imagery of priority deep-sea coral sites off Cape Canaveral, FL, collected by the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster 

in September 2009. Large map shows multibeam bathymetry of areas surveyed. Inset shows a close up of multibeam bathymetry 

and backscatter for three shallower coral pinnacles. Lighter color on the backscatter imagery indicates hard substrata. Submersible 

dives on these pinnacles showed extensive deep-sea coral cover.
15

and determine their reproductive biology. 

Colonies of the three dominant reef-building 

coral species (Lophelia pertusa, Madrepora oculata, 

and Enallopsammia profunda) were retained alive 

from several JSL dives.

□ Tissue samples were collected from 70 taxa 

for stable isotope analyses. Results from these 

analyses will help elucidate food webs and 

energy flow through deep-sea coral ecosystems. 

□ Tissue samples from 33 taxa were collected 

for genetic studies to understand connectivity 

and population dynamics among deep reef 

Box 4: Benthic landers are long-term observatories on the seafloor

While submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) provide information about a habitat at a specific 

moment in time, monitoring long-term variations in oceanographic parameters is necessary to place this snapshot 

information into an ecological context. The benthic lander provides this type of long-term data. 

In December 2009, landers were placed in a well-studied deep-sea coral ecosystem in the northern Cape Lookout 

C-HAPC, and will be recovered after six months. The landers, equipped with cameras, will continuously measure 

near-bottom temperature, salinity, the amount of particles in the water column, current speeds, and current 

directions. 

The 2009 field season also tested the Sùil na Mara (Scots Gaelic for ‘Eye of the Sea’) microlander, a small aluminum 

platform designed to be deployed from submersibles or large ROVs in areas of rough substrata and the high 

current velocities associated with deep-sea coral habitats.

ecosystems. This region off the east coast 

of central Florida was poorly sampled in 

previous cruises and represented a critical 

area between previously studied areas in 

the Northeastern Atlantic and Gulf of 

Mexico.

□ At least 28 taxa were sampled for 

microbiology and/or biomedical 

screening – studies that may discover new 

biomedical compounds.

□ The cruise tested a new, small lander 

(Box 4). The “Microlander” Sùil na Mara 

was deployed for 30 hour sessions on 

two different deep-sea coral habitats. 

Preliminary data revealed highly variable 

bottom currents with regular tidal signals 

in bottom currents and temperature.

Mapping Cruise 1

Scientists from NOAA and UNCW used multibeam 

sonar to map a total area of 225 square miles (580 

km2) along the western edge of the C-HAPC off 

central Florida from the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster 

in September 2009 (Map 1). Numerous limestone 

pinnacles and ridges were located in the area 

roughly 47 miles (75 km) offshore between Cape 

Canaveral and Ft. Pierce, FL. The resulting maps 

A microlander was deployed during the August 2009 submersible 

cruise off the Southeast U.S.

Photo Credit: S. Ross et al., NOAA/USGS DISCOVRE Cruise
16Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

from this survey will inform selection of dive sites 

for future manned and unmanned observations, as 

well as contribute new information to the SAFMC for 

potential adjustment of C-HAPC boundaries.

Benthic Lander Cruise

In early December, the R/V Cape Hatteras deployed 

two benthic landers for long-term observations 

on deep-sea coral banks off North Carolina and 

conducted a variety of other sampling (Box 4). These 

landers were recently recovered after monitoring 

conditions for a year at deep-sea coral sites in 

the Gulf of Mexico in a separate MMS/USGS/

NOAA program. These landers were developed in 

partnership with the Royal Netherlands Institute for 

Sea Research, and are an important first step in an 

effort to standardize sampling techniques throughout 

the Atlantic basin.

Mapping Cruise 2

A team of USF geologists specialized in seafloor 

mapping will conduct an additional mapping cruise 

in the C-HAPC in early 2010. It is anticipated 

450 – 600 square miles (1200-1500 km2) of habitat 

will be mapped during this cruise. The target area, 

approximately 47 miles (75 km) off the east coast 

of central Florida, is adjacent to the area surveyed 

during the first mapping cruise. Efforts are 

underway to maximize the cost effectiveness of this 

operation by matching a compatible survey vessel 

with multibeam mapping equipment designed for the 

water depths here.

Outreach Efforts

To enhance public understanding of these spectacular 

ecosystems and the science conducted to understand 

them, an outreach team representing NOAA, 

The submersible extends a manipulator arm to collect samples.

Photo Credit: S. Ross et al., NOAA/USGS DISCOVRE Cruise
17

SAFMC, HBOI, UNCW and USGS was formed to 

publicize FY-2009 research efforts. Press releases 

were generated for the program in general and the 

cruises specifically. Members of the press and local 

management agencies were invited aboard the R/V 

Seward Johnson during the JSL submersible cruise, 

where the scientists could explain their research. This 

event resulted in an NBC Nightly News feature and 

articles in newspapers across the nation. Through 

the partnerships on this program, daily logs from the 

submersible cruise were made available online through 

USGS’ DISCOVRE website:

http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/DISCOVRE/index.html.

Plans for FY-2010 and FY-2011

Planning for FY-2010 and FY-2011 operations in 

the Southeast U.S. is well underway. Ship time has 

been secured for three NOAA research cruises in FY 

2010. This will allow significant leverage of program 

funds and an increased operational tempo. The 

primary mission will be an ROV cruise aboard the 

NOAA flagship Ronald H. Brown. A second research 

cruise is planned aboard the NOAA Ship Pisces. The 

third cruise will continue the mapping efforts aboard 

the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster. Mapping targets and 

research goals for all cruises will be selected with 

input from the SAFMC with particular consideration 

given to the research priorities identified at the July 

2009 workshop. FY-2011 efforts will be guided by 

results from the FY-2009 and FY-2010 research. 

Existing collaborations will be strengthened and 

new collaborations begun. One exciting direction 

is a greater linkage with the Trans-Atlantic Coral 

Ecosystem Study (TRACES). TRACES is an 

international collaboration of coral scientists and 

a partnership with this established group will 

significantly expand NOAA’s capabilities (more in 

Section 3.3).

 

 
18Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

The new field science activities supported under the 

Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 

provide the opportunity for dedicated, longer term 

research and mapping of deep-sea coral ecosystems. 

However, because of the costs and logistic 

constraints of working in the deep sea, the Program 

will only be able to conduct field operations in a few 

high priority areas. 

MSA Section 408 (a)(1) directs NOAA “to identify 

existing research on, and known locations of, deepsea corals and submit such information to the 

appropriate Councils.” To carry out this mandate, 

NOAA will analyze data, integrate new findings, and 

make data available to managers in usable formats. 

NOAA has supported deep-sea exploration and 

research conducted by several NOAA program 

offices and through collaborations with other Federal 

agencies, the Regional Fishery Management Councils, 

and external university partners. Other sources of 

information, such as museum collections and NMFS 

research trawl surveys provide additional data on the 

distribution of deep-sea corals. While much of this 

work was not specifically directed toward deep-sea 

coral ecosystems, analysis of previous research can 

provide valuable information to inform management 

and to guide future field efforts. Identification of 

new deep-sea coral areas will continue to depend 

upon visual ground-truthing. Analyses of existing 

information, however, complement and add value 

to this work, and can be conducted at a much lower 

cost and in more areas than it would be possible to 

mount new field expeditions.

Managing both existing and new data and 

information is critical in order to ensure that data 

are accurate, reliable, secure, understandable, 

and available in appropriate formats for use by 

researchers, managers and the public. Thus the 

development of geographic information system 

(GIS) databases for use by the research, management, 

and education communities is essential. NOAA will 

build on experience from its Coral Reef Information 

System and on existing database partnerships to 

provide access to NOAA deep-sea coral and sponge 

data and information including metadata, links to 

online data (e.g., regional map servers), products, and 

publications. 

In FY 2009, the Deep Sea Coral Research and 

Technology Program began to address these 

requirements through two related efforts:

1. Deep-sea coral database and GIS 

development 

2.Projects that inform conservation through the 

analysis of existing coral data

The following are summaries of individual activities. 

In most cases, these projects have just begun and 

only preliminary results are available.

2.3 Analysis and Management of

Existing Data and Information
19

Analysis and Management of Existing Data and Information – 

Deep-Sea Coral Database and GIS Development

National Deep-Sea Coral Data and GIS Management $150,000

Project Goal Ensure that data and information acquired by the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program are accurate, reliable, secure, and understandable; and that they are made available to managers, 

Regional Fishery Management Councils, researchers, and the public in a useful manner.

Management Application Making accurate information and value-added products available to managers is 

critical to ensuring the Program has the greatest conservation impact. 

Summary This activity addresses the primary needs for data management and GIS analysis to support the 

activities of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program: 

1. Collect and integrate available information on the status and distribution of deep-sea coral and sponge 

ecosystems.

2.Develop approaches and tools to analyze and display information on the activities that may impact 

deep-sea coral ecosystems. Primary focus will be on interactions with commercial fisheries.

3.Lead the development of a NOAA Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program data 

management plan to be integrated and implemented within the Coral Reef Conservation Program Data 

Management Plan.

4.Produce maps and conduct spatial analysis and predictive modeling to support deep-sea coral 

conservation.

5.Maintain coordination and consistency for GIS and data management matters associated with field 

activities off the U.S. Southeast and West coasts.

The maps of deep-sea coral locations included in this Report represent a first product from these efforts. This 

is a significant enhancement over the capabilities and products available when the first Report to Congress was 

prepared in 2007.

Rockfish take refuge among the branches of a deep-sea gorgonian coral 

in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

Photo Credit: OCNMS

Fish associate with the Oculina coral habitat off Florida.

Photo Credit: L. Horn, NOAA Undersea

Research Center at UNCW
20Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Enhancing the West Coast Regional Deep-Sea Coral Database $12,000

Project Goal Enhance the usefulness and accessibility of deep-sea coral data collected by NMFS and its 

partners

Management Application This project will provide data on the location and bycatch of corals and sponges to 

inform Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA management efforts.

Summary This project enhances the existing Northwest Fisheries Science Center regional database on coral 

and sponge observations off the West Coast. Much of the framework for such a database already exists; 

however, several enhancements are required to meet the needs of future analysis, reporting, and data requests. 

These enhancements include references to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System serial numbers to 

ensure proper taxonomic associations, improved tracking of samples sent for genetic analysis or taxonomic 

identification, and common query structures to facilitate faster responses to data requests. In addition, results 

of common queries will be served on a regional data portal, the Pacific Coast Ocean Observing System 

(PaCOOS) West Coast Habitat Server (http://pacoos.coas.oregonstate.edu/). To date, the project team has 

created many query structures and made NMFS survey data available through the PaCOOS server. More data, 

specifically from surveys conducted in the five west coast sanctuaries, will be added as appropriate. The team 

is also developing a new specimen tracking system. Initial outputs from these efforts are included in Maps 3 

and 10.

Baskets stars (Gorgonocephalus sp.) attached to bubble gum coral (Paragorgia arborea) on the Davidson Seamount 

at 1497 meters.

Photo Credit: NOAA/MBARI 2006
21

Deriving Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Distribution Data from Archived Video Records in 

Northeast U.S. $15,000

Project Goal Develop and test a rapid image “mining” protocol to review archived underwater images and 

video for locations of deep-sea corals and sponges, and add these to the existing NOAA/USGS east coast 

deepwater coral database.

Management Application “Mining” data from existing archives has the potential to locate deep-sea corals 

more quickly and cheaply than would be possible through field research. The New England Fishery 

Management Council is currently developing management alternatives for protecting deep-sea corals that can 

benefit from this information.

Summary Decades of submersible and ROV operations in the EEZ off the east coast (over 5,000 dives; see 

Figure 1) have produced video and still photos that have yet to be fully examined to reveal deep-sea coral 

and sponge habitats. This project will access the archive collections of imagery at various institutions (e.g., 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), University of Connecticut) to delineate the distribution 

and abundance of key coral and sponge taxa. The project team is developing a rapid image “mining” 

protocol, testing the approach using these image archives, and adding to the existing NOAA/USGS east 

coast deepwater coral database. Work is underway and focused on Gulf of Maine deep basin and Georges 

Bank submarine canyon environments. To date, still imagery from dives of the Johnson-Sea-Link and 

Alvin submersibles in the 1970s and early 1980s have revealed several gorgonian- and sea pen-dominated 

communities. Review of archived video from 1960s-80s will commence soon. 

Fig. 1: Submersible and ROV dive sites in the Atlantic with archived video and still imagery data that could reveal additional 

information on the locations of deep-sea corals.

Source: D. Stevenson, P. Auster

Projects to Inform Conservation through the Analysis of 

Existing Data and Information
22Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Analysis of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Sonar Data from Deepwater Coral Habitats 

off Eastern Florida $15,000 

Project Goal Analyze sonar data (sidescan and multibeam) that was collected with an AUV in 2008 within the 

Deepwater C-HAPCs and the Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC) in the South Atlantic Fishery 

Management Council region

Management Application This project will identify potential deep-sea stony coral reef habitat and thus guide 

future research and inform management of the presence of sensitive habitats. 

Summary A number of deep-sea coral sites off eastern Florida were discovered during AUV sidescan and 

multibeam surveys in 2008. The total area surveyed in 2008 was 60.5 square miles and consisted of 240 miles 

of AUV track lines. The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program submersible cruise in 2009 found 

selected sites to contain some of the greatest concentrations of living coral yet observed in the western Atlantic. 

This project will re-analyze the sonar data to provide higher-resolution maps of these sites that can reveal 

additional information on potential coral locations. Thus far, a number of the sidescan and multibeam mosaics 

have been completed. Additional analysis of these and similar AUV data will be processed to characterize the 

distribution of deepwater habitats. In addition, the integration of centimeter-scale bathymetric and backscatter 

maps and ground-truthing data (consisting of video transects and bottom samples taken during submersible 

dives) will allow for habitat mapping of the deepwater reefs with unprecedented resolution. 

 

The Eagle Ray AUV was used to map the Oculina Bank in 2006.

Photo Credit: A. Alexander

The Eagle Ray AUV was used to map the Oculina Bank in 2006.

Photo Credit: A. Alexander
23

Analysis and Distribution of Deepwater Commercial Fisheries Species (Golden Crab, Tilefish, Royal 

Red Shrimp) in Deepwater Coral Habitats off Eastern Florida $10,000

Project Goal Provide data on the distribution and abundance of the commercially caught golden crab, tilefish, 

and royal red shrimp in relation to deep-sea coral ecosystems in the Southeast U.S. 

Management Application Results of this project will assist EFH description and identification for these 

commercial species and inform management efforts to reduce fisheries interactions with deep-sea coral habitats.

Summary This project will review video archives collected from over 100 submersible dives between 2005 and 

2009 in the South Atlantic Region for the occurrence of the golden crab (Chaceon fenneri), tilefish (Lopholatilus 

chamaeleonticeps and Caulolatilus microps), and royal red shrimp (Pleoticus robustus) in deepwater coral ecosystems. 

A database of submersible and ROV dives has been compiled and entered into GIS to select which dives 

to analyze for this project. The project will also incorporate observations of these commercial species from 

the 2009 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program cruise. The SAFMC is also contributing to this 

project, allowing the analysis of videotapes from additional submersible dives. 

 

A golden crab observed from the submersible during the 2009 cruise.

Photo Credit: S. Ross et al., NOAA/USGS DISCOVRE Cruise

Lophelia coral and associated species observed during the 2009 cruise.

Photo Credit: S. Ross et al., NOAA/USGS DISCOVRE Cruise
24Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Integrating Mapping and Fisheries Data for Deep-Sea Coral Habitats off South Carolina and Georgia 

 $15,000

Project Goal Process and analyze multibeam sonar and fisheries data to detect deep-sea coral habitats that can be 

used to delineate Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) off South Carolina and Georgia, and provide methodologies for 

more rapid assessment of areas during future data gathering expeditions. 

Management Application The products generated through this project will support management actions by 

providing new tools for identifying and mapping potential deep-sea coral habitats. Mapping of coral habitat is 

essential for meeting the management goals of the SAFMC, so that permitted fishing areas can be designated 

that minimize impacts on corals.

Summary This project consists of three primary tasks: (1) analyzing available multibeam sonar and backscatter 

data to construct seafloor and habitat characterization maps (currently underway); (2) identifying areas of 

existing and potential deep-sea coral habitat; and (3) overlaying and relating existing fisheries data to these 

newly generated habitat maps. The products will support management actions by providing habitat and fishery 

managers a stronger mechanism for identifying potential deep-sea coral habitat and supporting future NOAA 

conservation planning, using sonar-derived datasets and algorithms.

Conger eel and squat lobster are frequently observed in Lophelia reefs.

Photo Credit: S. Ross et al.
25

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Deep-Sea Coral Investigations $15,000

Project Goal Analyze imagery obtained by ROV in order to document and understand the biological 

components of deepwater communities in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Management Application This project will inform revisions to the proposed boundary expansion of the 

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The results will also be valuable in MMS decisions on oil 

and gas activities.

Summary This project analyzes the imagery captured from the May 2009 ROV cruise at the Flower Garden 

Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The project team at the sanctuary has developed a photolog of 536 

high-resolution digital still images. Each image is inventoried for the biological components. A biological 

characterization scheme is applied to the images, which will lead to biological zonation maps for locations 

that currently do not have this level of information. An interactive GIS map is also being developed to show 

more than 9,000 images at over 200 dive sites. The georeferenced ROV survey tracks, with a selection of 

images taken along each track are provided online at: http://www.ncddc.noaa.gov/website/google_maps/

FGB/mapsFGB.htm. 

An example of deep coral habitat at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, typical of the northwest Gulf of Mexico 

habitats. Image includes gorgonians, black corals, echinoderms, sponges, and deepwater fishes.

Photo Credit: FGNMS/NURC-UNCW
26Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Deep-Sea Coral Community Research off California $15,000

Project Goal Analyze data on the occurrence of deep-sea corals and other biogenic habitats from a NOAA – USGS 

partnership

Management Application Information from this project will inform NOAA and Pacific Fishery Management 

Council’s review of essential fish habitat (EFH) and help identify vulnerable deep-sea coral areas.

Summary This project examines video footage and still images recorded by a towed camera on surveys from previous 

years off central and southern California. By reviewing these images, the project team is groundtruthing the habitat 

maps and verifying the distribution of deep-sea coral communities. The camera surveys were a collaboration between 

NOAA and USGS to interpret habitat maps generated with high-resolution sonar data as part of the California 

Seafloor Mapping Program. 

Figure 2: Lophelia pertusa locations observed from the Delta submersible.

Source: M. Yoklavich
27

Using Cordell Bank as a Model to Conduct Fine-Scale Deep-Sea Coral Predictive Habitat Modeling 

 $15,000

Project Goal Refine and validate models of deep-sea coral distribution and enhance understanding of the 

geographic distribution of two dominant species of corals

Management Application Using predictive models, this project provides a cost-effective approach to target areas 

of deep-sea coral habitat for research and for conservation.

Summary This project uses updated geospatial analysis tools to refine GIS models that predict the locations of 

lace corals and gorgonians at Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The project team will also evaluate the 

models’ ability to predict the presence of deep corals in other suitable rocky habitats. Additionally, the project 

team analyzed the range of two lace coral species (Stylaster californicus and S. venustus) and confirmed their overlap 

at Cordell Bank.

Figure 3: Preliminary model results illustrating the contrasting patterns of predicted habitat use and distribution for gorgonians and lace 

corals across the rocky feature of Cordell Bank off California. Results indicate that lace corals and gorgonians occupied different niches. 

Lace corals were restricted to a small proportion of the Bank with distinct habitat features, while gorgonians were more broadly distributed. 

Source: L. Etherington, CBNMS
28Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Understanding the geographic distribution and effects 

of human activities that may adversely affect deepsea coral and sponge ecosystems is a key priority for 

developing and implementing management strategies. 

The MSA directs NOAA to “monitor activities in 

locations where deep-sea corals are known or are 

likely to occur.” In many regions, fishing practices 

that use bottom-tending gear, especially bottom 

trawling, pose the most widespread threat likely to 

damage deep-sea coral communities. NOAA, assisted 

by recommendations from the Regional Fishery 

Management Councils, has primary responsibility 

for managing fisheries in the U.S. EEZ. Therefore, 

monitoring and providing information to manage 

these activities and their impacts is a top priority for 

the program. 

Investigating the relationship between known locations 

of deep-sea corals and fishing activities that may 

damage them requires knowledge of the location 

of corals and the location and intensity of fishing 

activities. There are several methods for assigning 

fishing activities to a specific location. Fishing activity 

can be directly observed through on-board observers 

trained by NOAA or through electronic methods. 

A second approach is through self-reporting of 

fishing location by fishermen. This information can 

be collected either through dockside interviews or 

through logbooks and trip reports submitted by 

fishermen. Finally, vessel monitoring systems (VMS) 

locate fishing activity through analysis of position 

information, vessel velocity, and other variables relayed 

to satellites. 

In FY 2009 the program supported five projects that 

analyze fisheries activities. The first three projects 

summarized in this section use existing information 

to analyze and map the distribution and intensity 

of fishing activities conducted with bottom-contact 

fishing gear in Federal waters off the U.S. Northeast, 

Southeast, Gulf of Mexico, and California. NOAA 

protects all confidential information (such as the 

location of fishing activity) received, collected, 

maintained, or used by the agency as required by law.

The remaining two projects improve NOAA’s ability 

to identify West Coast deep-sea corals and Alaskan 

sponges that occur as bycatch in Federally-managed 

fisheries. Measuring bycatch is not a reliable method 

of sampling deep-sea corals. This is because only a 

small proportion of the broken corals are likely to 

be retained in bottom trawls, while other gears (e.g., 

bottom-set longlines and traps) may damage corals but 

have minimal bycatch. Nevertheless, bycatch records 

can provide some indication of where corals occur 

and are often the only measure of fisheries impact. 

Improving the recovery of information on deep-sea 

corals and sponges that is derived from bycatch will 

help to understand and reduce fisheries impacts to 

deep-sea corals and associated ecosystems.

2.4 Analysis of Fishing Intensity 

and Deep-Sea Coral Bycatch
29

Monitoring activities – Analyzing fishing intensity and bycatch

Mapping the Intensity of Fishing in the Northeast Using Gears That May Damage Deep-Sea Corals 

 $30,000

Project Goal Analyze fishing activity by bottom gears that may damage deep-sea corals and investigate fisheryindependent and fishery-dependent data sources for potential georeferenced deep-sea coral bycatch.

Management Application This effort allows NOAA to understand where fishing occurs in relation to deep-sea 

coral habitat, and to quantify deep-sea coral bycatch in the groundfish and shellfish surveys. These data can 

inform the development of approaches that reduce deep-sea coral bycatch in specific fisheries.

Summary To map the intensity of bottom fishing, the project team is currently assessing the accuracy of vessel 

trip reports against other fishery-dependent data sources such as on-board observer databases and data from 

VMS equipment installed on vessels. The trip reports record the location of fishing activity, and the VMS data 

can show whether a vessel is fishing or transiting. To date, the project team has analyzed the 2007 vessel trip 

reports from 157,330 trips by 3,242 vessels. Of these, 282 trips by 175 vessels were also matched to the data 

in VMS and observer databases. In the next step, the team will investigate the remaining data and determine 

ways to increase the overlap among the different data sources. The New England Fishery Management Council 

Habitat Plan Development Team members and staff are partnering in this project.

Deep-sea Corallium and Trachythela corals with brittle stars, crinoids, and sponges.

Photo Credit: Mountains in the Sea Research Team and Institute for Exploration
30Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Analysis of Fishing Intensity and Potential Deep-Sea Coral Impacts in the US South Atlantic and Gulf 

of Mexico Regions $36,000

Project Goal Map deep-sea fishing effort across the U.S. South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery 

Management Council regions using VMS, permit, and catch/effort data. 

Management Application This effort will increase NOAA’s ability to identify fishing patterns and manage 

activities that are potentially threatening to deep-sea coral and sponge communities.

Summary This project will develop a database to integrate information from multiple sources to understand 

and map the location of deep-sea fishing activities. The types of data to be incorporated range from vessel 

registrations, fishing permits, VMS data, logbooks, to fish landing statistics. The project team has identified the 

relevant data sources (e.g., NMFS Office of Law Enforcement) and created a model to integrate the various 

datasets. Eventually, this integrated database will allow NOAA to query data across all systems and receive a 

comprehensive view of when, where, and what type of fishing occurs within the southeast region in near realtime, while retaining the confidentiality of fishing statistics required by law (Map 2).

Map 2: Bottom trawling activity and the locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off the Southeast U.S. This map provides 

an example of the types of analysis being conducted under this project. Bottom-trawling activity was derived from an analysis of 

VMS tracks with vessel velocities expected for trawling activities and aggregated by 10’ reporting grids. See Map 5 for description 

of deep-sea coral locations.
31

Mapping the Distribution and Intensity of Bottom Trawling Effort Along the California Coast from 

1997 to 2008, with Impacts on Deep-Sea Corals $32,637

Project Goal Create maps of the distribution and intensity of bottom trawling along the California coast

Management Application Finer-resolution information on the location of bottom trawling will inform 

management measures to benefit both deep-sea coral habitats and the fishing community.

Summary This project will use the start and end locations of trawl tows recorded in California trawl-fishing 

logbooks to create maps of the distribution and intensity of bottom trawling along the California coast. In 

2009, the project team created preliminary maps of trawling through 2005 overlaid with the locations of deepsea corals observed during groundfish trawl surveys. These maps show some areas of heavy trawl activity and 

other areas with little or no trawl activity near suspected or known locations of deep-sea corals. The team will 

next map the changes in trawling activity after the 2004 fleet reduction and 2006 EFH closures as well as coral 

records from other sources.

Map 3: Bottom trawling activity (2003 to 2005) and the locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off California. This map 

shows an initial analysis of commercial bottom trawl activities based on trawl set and recovery points aggregated by 10’ reporting 

grids. Trawl data are from 2003 to 2005. Cross-hatched areas represent trawl closures for bycatch-reduction purposes and the 

EFH closures that went into effect in June 2006. Subsequent analyses will look at how bottom trawl effort has changed since the 

2006 closures. See Map 10 for description of deep-sea coral locations.
32Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Taxonomic and Genetic Identification of Fisheries Bycatch of Deep-Sea Corals During the 2009 West 

Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey $40,243

 

 

Project Goal Augment the collection of voucher specimens (i.e., species inventory) of deep-sea corals on the 

West Coast to improve coral identification in bycatch and groundfish surveys. 

Management Application Understanding of the impacts of fisheries on deep-sea corals will be enhanced by 

accurate identification of corals encountered in fishing activities. 

Summary The project team collected coral specimens during the 2009 West Coast groundfish survey and 

conducted DNA sequencing of the specimens from the 2007 and 2008 surveys. In addition, the team began 

creating scanning electron microscope images of some of the specimens to document their morphology. The 

project team will use these genetic and morphological techniques to identify the coral specimens to the species 

level, and incorporate the species designations into a coral identification guidebook. 

Close-up of primnoid coral (Calyptrophora sp.) and shrimp 

on the Davidson Seamount off California at 5150 ft (1570 m) 

depth.

Photo Credit: NOAA/MBARI 2002

A Christmas tree black coral (Antipathes dendrochristos) off 

southern California at 500 ft (150 m) depth.

Photo Credit: M. Amend, NOAA
33

A Field Guide to the Deepwater Sponges of the Aleutian Islands Archipelago $20,750

Project Goal Provide a field guide to Aleutian Island sponges that can be used by fisheries observers and 

researchers. 

Management Application This guide will help map the distribution of sponges, quantify and reduce the impacts 

of trawling on particular species, and guide research on these important components of the ecosystem.

Summary Sponges are common in the bycatch of Alaska bottom trawl fisheries, but the field guides used by 

fisheries observers to identify bycatch contain inaccurate and incomplete information on sponges. This project 

will examine hundreds of sponge specimens, including more than 40 species new to science, that NOAA 

collected between 2003 and 2007 to develop a sponge field guide of the Aleutian Islands. The guide will be 

available to fishers, fisheries observers and scientists for the 2010 field season, complementing the existing 

“Field Guide to Alaskan Corals” to record the locations of important benthic invertebrates that provide habitat 

for other species. 

An Alaskan coral garden with several species of gorgonians, lace corals, and sponges. 

Photo Credit: A. Lindner
34Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

NOAA is the principal Federal agency responsible for 

management of living marine resources within the 

U.S. EEZ where most U.S. deep-sea coral communities 

occur. The Congressional mandate for a Deep Sea 

Coral Research and Technology Program signaled 

recognition of the considerable work that multiple 

NOAA programs (e.g. National Marine Sanctuaries, 

Ocean Exploration and Research, Fisheries Science 

Centers, Fishery Management Program, and National 

Centers for Coastal Ocean Science) have conducted 

for years on these critical ecosystems. The Deep Sea 

Coral Research and Technology Program continues to 

leverage the past and ongoing activities conducted by 

its NOAA partners. 

The following summaries—developed by NOAA in 

conjunction with the Regional Fishery Management 

Councils—focus on new management activities 

and selected research conducted by NOAA and its 

partners since our first Report to Congress in 2008. 

These activities complement, and in the future will 

build upon, the activities funded under the Deep Sea 

Coral Research and Technology Program described in 

Chapter 2. 

Chapter 3: COMPLEMENTARY

ACTIVITIES to Identify, 

Monitor, and Protect DeepSea Coral Areas in 2008 – 2009

Map 4: Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off the Northeast U.S. The data represent known locations of 

major structure-forming species of gorgonian and colonial stony corals. Data do not represent density of coral cover but rather 

known locations and may reflect the limited geographic extent of fishing or research effort. See page 64 for data sources.
35

New England and Mid Atlantic 

Regions – Maine to Cape Hatteras

The Northeast has numerous deep-sea coral habitats, 

composed primarily of gorgonians, which appear to be 

most numerous on rocky areas associated with canyons 

along the continental shelf and Georges Bank slopes, in 

rocky habitats in the northern Gulf of Maine, and on 

the New England Seamount chain (Map 4). The New 

England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) has 

authority over fisheries in Federal waters off Maine, 

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and 

Connecticut. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management 

Council (MAFMC) covers fisheries off New York, New 

Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, 

and part of North Carolina. The Councils share 

management responsibilities for the monkfish and 

dogfish FMPs. 

The NEFMC is currently developing the Omnibus 

EFH Amendment 2, which will amend existing 

EFH designations, analyze the impacts of fishing 

on EFH, and recommend appropriate management 

measures to minimize the adverse effects of fishing to 

EFH. The amendment is scheduled for final Council 

approval and NMFS implementation in 2011. Phase 

1 of the amendment included proposed alternatives 

for designating 15 deep-sea canyons and portions of 

two seamounts as HAPCs. Several canyons and both 

seamounts are known to harbor deep-sea coral habitats 

(Appendix 3). Final action on the HAPC proposals 

will not be taken until the Omnibus EFH Amendment 

is implemented. It is likely that some of the proposed 

canyon and seamount HAPCs will be modified to 

become coral protection zones.

In this context, two motions have been passed by 

NEFMC indicating support for deep-sea coral protection: 

February 2008: “to direct the Habitat Plan Development 

Team to evaluate existing information on deep-sea corals and to 

develop management options to protect deep-sea coral habitat. It is 

understood that these options would be independent of any EFH 

and HAPC designations.” 

June 2008: “That during phase 2 of the Habitat Omnibus 

Amendment, the Council will work with the MAFMC to develop 

protections for deep-sea coral under the authority provided by the 

reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act.”

In 2008, on the recommendation of MAFMC and 

with concurrence by the NEFMC, the Secretary of 

Commerce approved the closure of portions of 

Lydonia and Oceanographer canyons on the southern 

flank of Georges Bank to the use of bottom trawls by 

commercial fishing vessels that are permitted to catch 

squid, mackerel, and butterfish. The same areas were 

closed in 2005 to monkfish trawlers. The primary 

reason for closing these two areas is to protect EFH 

for Federally-managed demersal fish species that are 

adversely impacted by bottom trawls. Closures will 

also have the corollary effect of minimizing fishing 

impacts on deep-sea corals often found associated with 

geographic features such as canyons. In November, 

2009, portions of these canyons as well as Veatch and 

Norfolk canyons were closed to all bottom-trawling 

to protect EFH for tilefish (Appendix 3). The tilefish 

closures will be more effective than previous measures 

at protecting deep-sea corals since they will prohibit all 

bottom trawling activity.

In December 2009, the MAFMC voted to recommend 

that NMFS nominate Veatch, Norfolk, Lydonia, and 

Oceanographer Canyons, which are managed under 

the tilefish FMP, to the National System of Marine 

Protected Areas. 

3.1 NOAA and the Councils

Box 5: New England Fishery Management Council analyzes fishing impacts on deep-sea corals

The NEFMC’s Habitat Plan Development Team is developing a model to evaluate the impacts of fishing on EFH. Three groupings 

of deep-sea corals (sea pens, stony corals, and soft corals/gorgonians), were identified as structural components of fish habitat in 

the vulnerability assessment. Their susceptibility to and recovery from impacts from five types of fishing gears were estimated, 

based on knowledge of coral biology and a comprehensive review of the fishing impacts literature. This information was 

then incorporated in the model. Results of this analysis were released in late 2009 and will be used to develop and analyze 

management alternatives intended to protect deep-sea corals.
36Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Map 5: Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off the Southeast U.S. The data represent known locations of major 

structure-forming species of lace corals, black corals, gorgonian corals, colonial stony corals and gold corals. Location data are 

particularly incomplete for corals other than stony corals. See page 64 for data sources.
37

Southeast – Cape Hatteras to 

South Florida

As described in Chapter 2, deep-sea stony coral reefs 

in U.S. waters reach their greatest abundance and 

development in the Atlantic south of Cape Hatteras 

(Ross and Nizinski 2007; Map 5). This area was also 

the first focal region for new field science under the 

Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program. 

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 

(SAFMC) has authority over fisheries in Federal 

waters in this region, which includes the waters off 

North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the 

Atlantic coast of Florida, including the Florida Keys. 

In September 2009 the SAFMC voted unanimously 

to approve a Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based 

Amendment 1 for submission to the Secretary 

of Commerce. If approved by the Secretary, this 

landmark amendment will establish five deepwater 

Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern 

(C-HAPCs)1

 totaling 24,215 square miles (62,717 

km2

), protecting complex deepwater coral habitats 

located off the coasts of the Carolinas, Georgia, 

Map 6: South Atlantic Fishery Management 

Council’s proposed Deepwater Coral Habitat 

Areas of Particular Concern (C-HAPCs). 

Source: SAFMC

1 NMFS notes that Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (C-HAPCs) are areas with specific management measures for corals 

under the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Coral, Coral Reef, and Live/Hardbottom Habitat Fishery Management 

Plan. In contrast, Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) are subsets of EFH for a managed 

fishery that satisfy the HAPC criteria in the EFH regulatory guidance (50 CFR5600.815 (a)(8)). The Council’s C-HAPCs have not 

been evaluated against the HAPC criteria identified in the EFH regulatory guidance.
38Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

and eastern Florida (Map 6). Regulations being 

proposed for the C-HAPCs mirror those currently 

in place for the shallower Oculina HAPC off central 

Florida. Within the C-HAPCs possession of coral 

species and the use of all bottom damaging gear 

would be prohibited, including bottom longline, 

trawl (bottom and mid-water), dredge, pot or trap, 

or the use of an anchor, anchor and chain, or 

grapple and chain by all fishing vessels. If approved 

by the Secretary of Commerce, the Stetson Reefs, 

Savannah and East Florida Lithoherms, and Miami 

Terrace (Stetson-Miami Terrace) C-HAPC would 

represent the largest marine protected area on the 

U.S. East Coast.

The SAFMC also recognized the small traditional 

fisheries targeting golden crab and royal red shrimp 

that have set their traps and hauled their nets in 

areas now known to provide suitable habitat for 

deep-sea corals. Developed in close consultation 

with these fisheries, the Council’s Comprehensive 

Ecosystem-Based Amendment proposes “Allowable 

Golden Crab Fishing Areas” and “Shrimp Fishery 

Access Areas” within two of the proposed 

C-HAPCs (Map 7). This action would restrict these 

fisheries to traditional fishing grounds, providing for 

the continued existence of these fisheries and the 

communities they support, while ensuring that they 

do not expand to areas that have a high potential 

Map 7: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s proposed C-HAPCs and “Allowable Golden Crab Fishing Areas 

(AGCFAs).” Source: SAFMC
39

Box 6: More deep-sea coral activities in the Southeast

• The SAFMC, NOAA, and partners held Deepwater Coral Teacher Workshops in Florida (2008) and North Carolina (2009), 

which trained educators from kindergarten through college on the deep-sea coral ecosystems in the Southeast region. 

The SAFMC contributed an article on U.S. deepwater coral ecosystems to a special issue of Currents: the Journal of Marine 

Education, featuring the Regional Fishery Management Councils. The issue will publish in spring 2010. 

• The SAFMC’s online EcoResearch Database provides a catalogue of relevant ecosystem research in the South Atlantic 

region. This database helps determine information needs and potential data gaps occurring in SAFMC’s jurisdiction. 

Additional spatial footprints for coral-specific research projects were created in 2008-2009. 

• In April 2008, NOAA supported a research cruise to the Oculina Bank to revisit deep-sea coral habitat restoration 

experiments deployed in the past decade. Artificial reef structures were deployed in the Sebastian Pinnacles area 

of the Oculina Bank to stimulate new coral growth and provide structure for reef fish. A dive team, equipped with 

scooters and digital cameras, documented only limited coral growth on the concrete structures and surrounding 

habitat. The divers also deployed a bio-observatory designed to stay out for six weeks and capture images and 

sounds on a living Oculina Reef.

• In October 2009, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition seeking to protect 83 coral species, including the 

deep-sea ivory coral (Oculina varicosa) under the Endangered Species Act. Recent research supported by NOAA has 

revealed that ivory coral from the Oculina Banks deep water area was genetically distinct from other O. varicosa in 

nearby shallow waters and other areas of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (Eytan et al. 2009). On February 10, 2010, NMFS 

announced a 90–day finding on the petition (Federal Register, Vol. 75, pp. 6616-6621) that concluded that the petition 

presented substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted for 

82 species; the petition failed to present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned 

action may be warranted for Oculina varicosa.

of harboring deep-sea coral ecosystems. The 2009 

science cruises of the Deep Sea Coral Research and 

Technology Program provided information that may 

help refine these allowable fishing areas in the future. 

These historic conservation actions build on many 

years of efforts by the SAFMC to develop the 

Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment and 

support assembly of information on the region’s 

deep-sea coral ecosystems, both the shallower Oculina

Banks and the deeper Lophelia coral reefs. 

Other deep-sea coral activities supported by SAFMC 

are further described in Box 6.
40Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Gulf of Mexico – South Florida 

to Texas

The northern Gulf of Mexico is home to major 

Lophelia pertusa reefs and other deep-sea corals (Brooke 

and Schroeder 2007; Map 8). Recent compilations of 

gorgonian records in the Gulf of Mexico (Etnoyer 

2009) and new research over the past two years 

have significantly expanded our knowledge of these 

resources. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 

Council (GMFMC) has authority over fisheries in 

the Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico off Texas, 

Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the west coast of 

Florida. 

Since the first Report to Congress in 2008, the 

GMFMC has not taken any specific actions to protect 

deep-sea coral habitats in its region. The Council’s 

five-year review of EFH is due in 2010, including a 

review of existing and potential HAPCs in each of 

their FMPs. 

The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 

is located in this region. The sanctuary encompasses 

three banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico 

and is home to zooxanthellate corals occurring from 

the crest to at least 170 feet (52 m), as well as deeper 

communities of gorgonians and black corals. NOAA 

published the first comprehensive Condition Report 

for the sanctuary, summarizing the conditions and 

trends for the sanctuary’s habitat and living resources. 

The sanctuary also conducted research cruises in 2008 

and 2009 to characterize the deep water habitat on 

banks inside and outside the sanctuary. The surveys 

explored geographic features in areas that may be 

included in a proposed sanctuary expansion. The 

habitats encountered were dominated by black corals, 

gorgonians, sponges, and associated biota. The data 

Map 8: Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The data represent known locations of 

major structure-forming species of lace corals, black corals, gorgonian corals and colonial stony corals. Location data are particularly 

incomplete for corals other than stony and gorgonian corals. See page 64 for data sources.
41

collected are being incorporated into a GIS database, 

which links the high resolution bathymetry, the 

georeferenced ROV tracks, still images, and associated 

inventories of species. 

In September 2008, NOAA, MMS, and USGS 

embarked on a 4-year project to explore new deepsea coral communities in the deep Gulf of Mexico 

and to characterize their biology, ecology, and 

genetic connectivity. In both 2008 and 2009, major 

expeditions involving scientists from various agencies 

and universities were conducted from NOAA ships. 

These expeditions used ROVs to examine ship wrecks 

and the deep-sea corals colonizing them, as well as 

to investigate a series of previously unexplored sites 

along the northern and eastern Gulf of Mexico at 

depths between 980 and 3,300 feet (300 and 1,000 

m). Fish and invertebrate samples were collected on 

and adjacent to the coral habitat and two benthic 

landers, designed to collect long-term environmental 

and biological data, were deployed and retrieved in the 

vicinity of these deep coral habitats. 

U.S. Caribbean Region – U.S. 

Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and 

Navassa Island

The U.S. Caribbean includes the waters surrounding 

Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), and 

Navassa Island. Navassa Island is managed as a U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge. 

The deeper waters of the region have not been 

extensively surveyed for deep-sea corals (Lutz and 

Ginsberg 2007). Deep-sea coral banks have not been 

reported, but at least 33 species of azooxanthellate 

deep-sea corals, including the deep water reef builder 

Lophelia pertusa, have been collected from deep reef 

habitats of the U.S. Caribbean EEZ (García-Sais 

2005). The Caribbean Fishery Management Council 

(CFMC) has authority over fisheries in Federal waters 

surrounding the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and 

the USVI. 

The CFMC has not taken new actions to protect deepsea coral areas since 2007, but continues to be engaged 

on habitat issues on shallower coral reefs. The original 

prohibition on the take of corals from the EEZ 

includes the deeper water species such as the black 

corals. The CFMC has concentrated efforts on the 

baseline description and characterization of relatively 

shallow fish spawning aggregation sites (designated as 

HAPCs under the EFH Generic Amendment to the 

FMPs) under management. In the near future, other 

non-managed areas will be also assessed for the first 

time, which might include deeper areas (e.g., seamount 

habitats off the west coast of Puerto Rico, where an 

important deepwater snapper fishery takes place). The 

Council’s five-year review of EFH will be conducted 

in 2010. NOAA, in collaboration with the CFMC, the 

National Park Service, and the USVI and Puerto Rico 

territorial governments, has continued exploring and 

characterizing habitats down to 3,300 feet (1,000 m). 

 
42Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

U.S. Pacific Islands – Hawaii and 

the United States Pacific Islands

The U.S. EEZ in the Pacific Islands Region covers 

nearly 2 million square miles of oceans around the 

State of Hawaii, the Territory of American Samoa, 

the Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth of the 

Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Island 

possessions, and contains hundreds of seamounts 

and other deep-sea features. Most studies of deepsea coral ecosystems here have been limited to the 

Hawaiian Archipelago (Map 9), and almost nothing is 

known of the deep-sea coral resources of the other 

U.S. Pacific Islands. Gorgonians and black corals 

are the principal structure-forming species on deep 

Hawaiian slopes and seamounts (Parrish and Baco 

2007). 

In 2009, three marine national monuments were 

designated in the central and western Pacific: Marianas 

Trench, the Pacific Remote Islands, and Rose Atoll, 

raising their level of environmental recognition 

and conservation. Destruction or extraction of 

protected resources within the boundaries of these 

monuments is now prohibited, as is commercial fishing 

in the shallower coral reef ecosystem areas of the 

monuments. Combined, these monuments represent 

the largest fully protected area in the world, with 

195,274 square miles (505,757 km2) conserved, and are 

expected to contain important deep-sea coral habitats. 

Hawaii has had the only significant U.S. commercial 

harvests of corals for the jewelry business. Corals 

collected for jewelry - black, pink, and gold corals - 

occur throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago. These 

resources have been managed since 1981 through 

regulations implementing the Western Pacific Fishery 

Management Council’s Precious Corals FMP and 

complementary State of Hawaii administrative rules. 

In September 2008, NMFS placed a 5-year moratorium 

on the harvest of gold coral in the Western Pacific 

region. NMFS also designated the Auau Channel as 

an Established Bed for black coral under the Precious 

Corals FMP and set a biennial harvest quota for 

black coral of 11,000 lbs (5,000 kg). The Council 

recommended these management measures because of 

uncertainty in the growth estimates of gold coral and 

the continued pressure of both fishing and the impact 

of the invasive soft coral, Carijoa riisei, on the black 

coral stocks in the Auau Channel. 

The Council has continued to support assessments 

of black corals in the Auau Channel. These studies 

have resulted in the redescription of one species of 

black coral, and development of a time-series study 

looking at the effects of the invasive soft coral that 

has overgrown and killed many commercially valuable 

black coral colonies. The Council has also supported 

assessments of black coral reproduction and a black 

coral mapping project using existing data.

Black coral (Leiopathes sp., left) and gold coral (Gerardia sp., right) in Hawaii

Photo credit: NOAA Hawaiian Undersea Research Lab (left). J. Moore; OAR/National Undersea Research Program; Hawaii 

Undersea Research Lab (right).

Corals may be the oldest living marine animals

Research funded by NOAA has revealed that certain deep-sea coral colonies may live for thousands of years. Radiocarbon dating studies 

have estimated that colonies of gold coral from Hawaii can live for more than 2700 years, while a Hawaiian deep-sea black coral colony 

was dated to 4265 years (Roark et al. 2009). This longevity and slow growth suggests that recovery from damage may take millennia.
43

Map 9: Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals in waters around the Hawaiian Archipelago. The data represent 

known locations of major structure-forming species of lace corals, black corals, gorgonian corals, colonial stony corals, and gold corals. 

See page 64 for data sources.
44Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

U.S. West Coast Region – 

Washington, Oregon, and 

California

The seafloor off Washington, Oregon, and California 

contains extensive deep-sea coral communities as 

documented in NOAA trawl survey catch records 

and supplemented by museum collection records and 

underwater vehicle explorations (Whitmire and Clarke 

2007). The Pacific Fishery Management Council 

(PFMC) has authority over fisheries in Federal waters 

of this region and implemented sweeping measures 

to protect EFH in areas totaling more than 130,000 

square miles (336,700 km2) in 2006. 

PFMC has not taken additional actions to protect 

deep-sea coral habitats along the West Coast since the 

first Report to Congress in 2008. The Council has 

formed an Essential Fish Habitat Review Committee 

to review and recommend modifications in the 

designation of groundfish EFH and HAPCs. The 

committee received a proposal from the NGO Oceana 

to protect newly discovered deep-sea coral habitats in 

the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) 

and sponge reefs off the coast of Washington. The 

Council has tabled the consideration of this proposal 

until a five-year review of groundfish EFH in 2011.

NOAA manages five National Marine Sanctuaries on 

the West Coast: the Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, 

Gulf of the Farallones, Cordell Bank, and Olympic 

Coast NMS. All contain deep-sea corals. In 2008, 

NOAA incorporated Davidson Seamount — a 

volcanic seamount that is home to more than 20 

species of deep-sea corals, as well as large sponge 

fields and deep-sea fishes — into the Monterey Bay 

NMS, providing additional protection on top of the 

EFH bottom-gear closure. 

To the north, the Olympic Coast National Marine 

Sanctuary collaborated with Canadian colleagues for 

a joint ROV survey for deep-sea coral and sponge 

communities in a July 2008 cruise conducted aboard 

the Canadian Coast Guard vessel John P. Tully. The 

cruise consisted of two legs, one in Dixon Entrance 

at the border between Alaska and British Columbia, 

and the other at the border between Washington and 

British Columbia, including within the sanctuary. 

Corals were documented at several new sanctuary sites 

around the trough of the Juan de Fuca Canyon. 

In July 2009, NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration 

and Research and National Marine Sanctuaries 

leveraged field trials associated with the NOAA ship 

Okeanos Explorer to complete a backlog of multibeam 

mapping critical to meeting Sanctuary needs. During 

the field trials, NOAA personnel mapped a large swath 

of seafloor off the coast of northern California and 

Washington, including areas within Cordell Bank, 

Gulf of the Farallones, and Olympic Coast NMS. 

Bathymetry and backscatter data were collected mainly 

in waters deeper than 600 feet (200 m), including 

continental slope and canyon habitats (e.g., Bodega 

Canyon). Data are currently being analyzed by 

NOAA and USGS to create habitat map layers that 

will allow the agencies to predict the types of seafloor 

communities in different locations. This new habitat 

information will help guide NOAA’s research and 

resource protection efforts, including planning for 

West Coast research activities for FY 2010 under the 

Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program. 
45

Map 10: Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off the U.S. West Coast. The data represent known locations of 

major structure-forming species of lace corals, black corals, gorgonian corals, and colonial stony corals. See page 64 for data sources.
46Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Alaska Region – Gulf of Alaska, 

Bering Sea, and the Aleutian 

Islands 

Alaska has some of the richest deep-sea coral habitats 

in the world, much of which yet to be explored. The 

North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) 

has authority over fisheries in the 900,000-squaremile (2,330,989 km2) EEZ off Alaska. In 2006, 

NOAA approved measures recommended by the 

Council to minimize the adverse effects of fishing 

on EFH, closing nearly 380,000 square miles (more 

than 980,000 km2) to bottom trawling in the Aleutian 

Islands and Gulf of Alaska, including many areas 

known or suspected to harbor deep-sea corals. 

In 2008, additional conservation measures were 

implemented to protect EFH in the Bering Sea 

from the potential effects of bottom trawling and to 

provide the opportunity to further study the effects 

of such trawling on bottom habitat. These measures 

also included areas closed to bottom trawling in 

locations that have not been previously fished with 

such gear (e.g., Bering Sea Habitat Conservation Area) 

and in nearshore bottom habitat areas that support 

subsistence marine resources. True soft corals are 

the major species occurring in these areas (Stone 

and Shotwell 2007). Although the closures were not 

designed specifically to protect deep-sea corals, they 

represent precautionary measures by the NPFMC to 

conserve habitats. 

In the past two years, the NPFMC has not taken 

any additional actions specific to deep-sea coral 

protection. While the Council adopted an Arctic 

FMP in 2009, which was approved by the Secretary 

of Commerce and closed the entire Arctic area to 

commercial fishing, current information, though 

incomplete, does not indicate the occurrence of 

significant deep-sea coral resources in the U.S. Arctic.

Large primnoid coral loaded with brittle stars on Dickins Seamount.

Photo Credit: Gulf of Alaska cruise, 2004. NOAA Office of 

Ocean Exploration

Large Paragorgia coral with galatheid crabs on Pratt Seamount at 

800 meters depth.

Photo Credit: Gulf of Alaska cruise, 2004. NOAA Office of 

Ocean Exploration
47

Map 11: Known locations of structure-forming deep-sea corals off Alaska. The data represent known locations of major structureforming species of lace corals, black corals, gorgonian corals, and colonial stony corals. Location data are particularly incomplete for 

corals other than stony and gorgonian corals. See page 64 for data sources.
48Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

NOAA partners with other Federal agencies to 

increase understanding of and protection for deepsea coral ecosystems. Since 2007, coordination on 

deep-sea coral issues has been facilitated through 

the Interagency Board on Deep-sea Coral and other 

Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems established by the 

National Science and Technology Council’s Joint 

Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology. 

NOAA co-chairs the Board with MMS. The Board has 

focused on four major areas: 

□ Coordinating interagency review of major 

strategic documents.

□ Enhancing coordination and planning of 

major research programs on deep-sea corals, in 

particular on interagency collaborative research 

in the northern Gulf of Mexico. 

□ Coordinating U.S. interagency science advice 

on international negotiations and processes 

related to deep-sea ecosystems. 

□ Providing information exchange and outreach 

on Federal programs to study and conserve 

deep-sea ecosystems. 

NOAA continues to partner on specific deep-sea coral 

research and mapping activities with other Federal 

agencies, particularly USGS and MMS, especially in 

the Gulf of Mexico as described above. NOAA and 

USGS have also continued collaboration on a ColdWater Coral Geographic Database (Scanlon et al. 

2009). 

3.2 Federal Interagency Cooperation

Scientists on the August 2009 deep-sea coral cruise in the Southeast U.S. came from NOAA, USGS, and many other organizations. 

The JSL submersible is in the background.

Photo Credit: NOAA/USGS
49

Since the first Report to Congress in 2008, NOAA 

in coordination with the Department of State and 

numerous other partners has continued to participate 

in bilateral and multilateral efforts to understand and 

protect deep-sea corals and other vulnerable deep-sea 

ecosystems. For example, NOAA was a cosponsor of 

the 4th International Symposium on Deep-sea Corals, 

held in New Zealand in December 2008, and of the 

International Council on the Exploration of the Seas 

(ICES) Symposium on Issues Confronting the Deep 

Oceans, held in the Azores, Portugal, in April 2009. 

Other NOAA efforts in international fora addressed 

fishing impacts, coral trade, marine protected areas, 

seabed mining, and collaborative research as follows. 

High-seas fishing impacts 

In the late 1990s, the international community began 

to recognize the need for more measures to protect 

deep-sea coral ecosystems. Most initial conservation 

efforts focused on deep-sea coral habitats within the 

EEZs of individual countries (reviewed by Hourigan 

2008). In contrast, action to protect deep-sea coral 

ecosystems on the high seas was limited and largely 

uncoordinated until December 2006, when the 

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted 

Sustainable Fisheries Resolution 61/105. This 

resolution called upon States and Regional Fisheries 

Management Organizations and Agreements (RFMO/

As) to take a series of action to ensure the sustainable 

management of fish stocks and the protection of 

vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs), including 

seamounts, hydrothermal vents and cold-water 

corals, from destructive fishing practices, recognizing 

the immense importance and value of deep-sea 

ecosystems and the biodiversity they contain. 

Since the 2008 Report to Congress, NOAA has 

continued to work, in collaboration with the State 

Department and in consultation with stakeholders, 

towards the protection of VMEs, in accordance with 

the 2006 UNGA Resolution 61/105. In 2008, as a 

result of strong U.S. leadership, the United Nations 

Food and Agriculture Organization adopted the 

International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-Sea 

Fisheries in the High Seas. The Guidelines, which are 

consistent with domestic management approaches, 

are intended to assist RFMO/As in their adoption 

3.3 International Activities

Box 7: More on high seas fishing

Fishing activities that have an adverse impact on deep-sea corals and other VMEs located beyond national 

jurisdiction, for which there are no applicable conservation or management measures or in areas with no 

applicable RFMO/As are defined as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing under the High Seas Driftnet 

Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (Moratorium Protection Act), as amended by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act. 

NOAA is currently revising the regulations for the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act, which establishes a system 

of permitting, reporting, and regulation for U.S. vessels fishing on the high seas. One aspect of the revisions will 

be to ensure that the U.S. is fully compliant with the relevant bottom fishing sections of UNGA Resolution 61/105. 

Currently, by policy, all U.S. fishing activities on the high seas must be reviewed for their potential environmental 

impacts; the revised regulations will codify this requirement. No U.S. vessels were authorized to bottom fish on the 

high seas in 2009. 
50Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

and implementation of conservation and management 

measures pursuant to Resolution 61/105, including 

criteria for identifying VMEs and assessing the impacts 

of fishing activities on such ecosystems.

RFMO/As have adopted a number of measures to 

protect VMEs including deep-sea corals. Measures 

taken through early 2009 are reviewed in a report 

by the United Nations Secretary General (UNGA 

2009), and additional actions have been taken by 

several RFMOs in 2009 after the report was released. 

Furthermore, the U.S. continues to participate in 

negotiations to develop two new RFMAs to manage 

bottom fisheries: one in the North Pacific and one 

in the South Pacific, which have adopted interim 

measures consistent with UNGA Resolution 61/105. 

The negotiations for the South Pacific RFMO 

successfully agreed a Treaty text in November 2009.

In 2009, the UNGA reviewed the implementation 

of Resolution 61/105 and recognized that, while 

important progress has been made, further actions are 

urgently needed to respond fully to the Resolution. 

Specific calls for action are detailed in Appendix 4. 

Deep-sea coral trade 

Deep-sea corals in the genus Corallium, also known 

as red and pink precious corals, are harvested around 

the world for jewelry and curios. In 2007, the U.S. 

proposed listing these corals on Appendix II under 

the Convention on International Trade in Endangered 

Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES 

Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily 

threatened with extinction now, but that may become 

so if trade is not closely controlled. International trade 

is permitted for species listed in CITES Appendix II if 

the exporting country makes findings that harvest of 

the species was legal and that the trade is sustainable. 

All black, hydrozoan, and stony corals are already 

included in Appendix II of CITES.

In 2009, NOAA helped organize and fund workshops 

in Hong Kong and Italy to resolve a number of 

challenges in implementing and enforcing a potential 

Appendix II listing for Corallium and to determine if 

adequate biological data were available for Corallium 

populations to demonstrate that the taxa had 

declined to levels required for listing the species in 

NOAA published the proceedings of the 

First International Workshop on Corallium

Science, Management, and Trade in 2009.
51

CITES. International experts from governments, 

academia, NGOs, and the CITES Secretariat shared 

information on the coral’s biology, fisheries and 

trade and discussed issues that could improve the 

effectiveness of a potential CITES Appendix II listing. 

Proceedings of the Hong Kong workshop (Bruckner 

and Roberts 2009) have been published. Based on 

these workshops, the U.S. and the European Union 

cosponsored a proposal to add precious red and pink 

corals of the genus Corallium to CITES Appendix II. 

This proposal will be considered at the 2010 CITES 

Conference of the Parties.

Ecologically or biologically 

significant deep-sea habitats 

In 2008, the Conference of Parties to the Convention 

on Biological Diversity adopted scientific criteria 

for identifying ecologically or biologically significant 

marine areas in need of protection in open-ocean 

waters and deep-sea habitats, and scientific guidance 

for designating representative networks of marine 

protected areas. Although the U.S. is not a party to 

the convention, NOAA experts, working with the 

Department of State, provided scientific input into the 

development of these criteria/guidelines. NOAA has 

subsequently contributed to the follow-on process to 

identify ecologically and biologically significant marine 

areas with particular considerations for deep-sea 

corals, which States and RFMOs can consider when 

developing management measures. 

Seabed mining

Mining the deep seafloor for metals is not yet a 

viable commercial enterprise. However, the last two 

years have seen increased interest and investment 

in mineral exploitation. Potential targets for seabed 

mining include cobalt-enriched crusts, which occur 

as thin layers on the flanks of volcanic islands and 

seamounts at 3,300 to 8,200 feet (1,000 to 2,500 m) 

depths, where deep-sea corals also occur. Mineral 

exploitation outside areas of national jurisdiction 

would be governed by guidelines set forth by the 

International Seabed Authority, established under 

the United Nations Convention on the Law of the 

Sea. Although not a Party to the Convention, or a 

member of the Authority, the U.S. has been active in 

providing scientific expertise to their work. In 2009, 

the Authority considered a proposal to establish a 

network of areas in the Central Pacific Ocean where 

no exploration or mining activity should take place. It 

also made further progress on the elaboration of draft 

regulations on prospecting and exploration for cobaltrich ferromanganese crusts. 

International collaborative 

research

NOAA has actively participated with other U.S., 

European, and Canadian partners in planning for 

a Transatlantic Coral Ecosystem Study (TRACES). 

TRACES is a scientific program being developed to 

investigate deep-sea corals found along the continental 

shelf break and slope, and in association with canyons 

and seamounts, in the North Atlantic Ocean. In 2009, 

the partners completed a TRACES Science Plan. 

NOAA also continues to work with the Census of 

Marine Life and ICES to enhance understanding and 

conservation of deep-sea corals and other deep-sea 

ecosystems. NOAA currently chairs the Northwest 

Atlantic Fisheries Organization/ICES Working Group 

on Deepwater Ecology, which is providing advice on 

management efforts to protect VMEs in the North 

Atlantic.
52Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

FY 2009 marked the beginning of funded activities 

under the MSA-authorized Deep Sea Coral 

Research and Technology Program (MSA Sec. 

408). Appropriations were received in the second 

quarter, and many activities are just getting underway. 

The Program has conducted successful deep-sea 

coral mapping and field research operations in the 

Southeast U.S. that were developed in consultation 

with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. 

This research confirmed the presence of important 

deep-sea coral communities in one area that is part of 

the Council’s proposals to protect more than 24,000 

square miles of habitat through the establishment 

of deepwater Coral Habitat Areas of Particular 

Concern (C-HAPCs). The Council’s Comprehensive 

Ecosystem-Based Amendment 1 containing these 

provisions has been submitted to the Department of 

Commerce for final approval. 

NOAA has not yet analyzed new information on 

deep-sea coral locations, and therefore no new 

deep-sea coral areas have been identified in this 

report (Appendix 3). NOAA is developing a 

coordinated national data management approach 

that will assist in the identification, analysis and 

distribution of management-relevant data on deepsea coral ecosystems.

Fiscal Year 2010 and Beyond: NOAA’s Strategic 

Plan for Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Ecosystems: Research, 

Management, and International Cooperation (NOAA, in 

review) provides an overall framework for NOAA’s 

deep-sea coral program activities in the coming 

years. In FY 2010, the President’s budget request 

and Congress’ appropriation for NOAA included 

an additional $1 million, for a total program of $2.5 

million. Planned activities include the following:

□ The Program will continue the second year of 

field science activities in the Southeast U.S., 

targeting the deepwater Lophelia coral reef 

ecosystems in the South Atlantic Council’s 

recommended C-HAPCs.

□ Increased funding will allow NOAA to expand 

field science activities to deep-sea coral habitats 

off the U.S. West Coast (Box 8). 

□ These multi-year field efforts will be 

complemented by smaller-scale investments 

in all regions, designed to address other 

requirements of the Program through analysis 

and management of existing information, 

outreach, and other high-value targeted 

activities. NOAA expects to modestly increase 

the resources available to these high-value, 

lower-cost initiatives in 2010 and to begin 

efforts to model the predicted distributions of 

deep-sea corals.

□ In FY 2010, NOAA will also extend its 

outreach efforts to engage with the Regional 

Fishery Management Councils on deep-sea 

coral issues. In particular, NOAA will further 

encourage the Councils to evaluate areas for 

protection known to contain deep-sea corals as 

allowed under discretionary provisions of the 

MSA as amended, including the areas included 

in Appendix 3. 

As the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program moves forward, it will continue to 

emphasizes collaborative approaches and leverage 

the critical complementary activities funded by other 

NOAA programs and external partners to support 

exploration, research and management of deep sea 

coral ecosystems. This will include enhancing the 

comparability of methods, sharing of data, and 

leveraging resources among programs to maximize the 

conservation impact for deep-sea coral ecosystems.

The Program expects to conduct 3-year field research 

and mapping activities in the Southeast U.S. (FY 2009-

2011) and West Coast (FY 2010 – 2012). Given the 

high cost of deep-sea field operations, a 3-year effort 

will allow preliminary research on only the highest 

priority deep-sea coral areas in a portion of these 

large geographic regions. The Program plans to shift 

Chapter 4: Conclusions and

Next Steps
53

funding to new regions by FY 2012 and 2013. In 

consultation with the Regional Fishery Management 

Councils, the Program has developed criteria to 

identify the future priority geographic regions for new 

field research. Based on the criteria, the next regions 

for major new field activities under the Program would 

be Alaska (North Pacific Fishery Management Council 

Region) and the Northeast U.S. (New England and 

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Regions). 

The Program will look for opportunities to enhance 

international cooperation on deep-sea coral science. 

One of the greatest challenges in the implementation 

of measures to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems 

on the high seas is a lack of information on the 

distribution of these ecosystems in most regions. 

NOAA and the Department of State will continue 

to actively engage in various RFMO/As and through 

other regional and multilateral organizations to protect 

these ecosystems. While the Deep Sea Coral Research 

and Technology Program is a domestic program, it 

offers an opportunity to leverage U.S. expertise to help 

meet international conservation goals. 

NOAA is a leading participant in the development 

of the National Ocean Policy called for by President 

Obama in June 2009. The Deep Sea Coral Research 

and Technology Program is designed to support the 

Ocean Policy’s implementation strategy, particularly 

its emphasis on ecosystem-based management, 

comprehensive marine spatial planning, and regional 

ecosystem protection. 

Box 8: Field research off the West Coast

In FY 2010, the Program will begin a 3-year field research effort designed to inform management decisions as 

they relate to deep-sea coral habitats. The West Coast was chosen as the second focal area based primarily on the 

following criteria: 

• PFMC is scheduled to review its EFH designations in 2011, many of which were designed to protect biogenic 

habitats including deep-sea corals. NOAA and PFMC have been petitioned by Oceana to protect recently 

discovered deep-sea coral (see Appendix 3) and sponge areas off Washington, but have identified that additional 

information is needed to understand the extent of such habitats before the existing FMPs are amended. 

• The region includes five National Marine Sanctuaries with rich deep-sea coral resources, all of which have 

identified the need for increased information on these habitats. All five sanctuaries are currently reviewing and 

updating their management plans, and pending legislation calls for sanctuary expansions at the Cordell Bank and 

the Gulf of the Farallones sanctuaries. These efforts would be informed by this research. The ability to address 

management needs of multiple NOAA Line Offices in this region was considered an important plus.

• The region is known to have extensive and important gorgonian and black coral habitats, but much of the current 

information is limited to observations from NMFS trawl surveys. Targeted ROV and AUV studies have the potential 

to provide valuable new information on these habitats.

A NOAA scientist adjusting the ROPOS ROV on a cruise off 

the West Coast.

Photo Credit: Olympic Coast NMS
54Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

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Etnoyer, PJ (2009) Distribution and Diversity of Octocorals in the Gulf of Mexico. PhD dissertation. Texas A&M University- Corpus 

Christi. Corpus Christi, TX. 145 pp.

Etnoyer P and L. Morgan (2003) Occurrences of habitat-forming deep sea corals in the northeast Pacific Ocean. A report to NOAA’s 

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56Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

List of Acronyms

AUV Autonomous underwater vehicle

C-HAPC South Atlantic FMC’s deepwater Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern

CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

CFMC Caribbean Fishery Management Council

EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone

EFH Essential Fish Habitat

FMC Fishery Management Council

FMP Fishery Management Plan

FY Fiscal Year

GIS Geographic information system

GMFMC Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

HAPC Habitat Area of Particular Concern

HBOI Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

JSL Johnson Sea Link submersible

MAFMC Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

MSA Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

MMS Minerals Management Service

NEFMC New England Fishery Management Council

NESDIS National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service 

NGO Non-governmental organization

NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service

NMS National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOS National Ocean Service

NPFMC North Pacific Fishery Management Council

OAR Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

PaCOOS Pacific Coast Ocean Observing System 

PFMC Pacific Fishery Management Council

RFMO/A Regional Fishery Management Organizations and Agreements

ROV Remotely operated vehicle

SAFMC South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

TRACES Trans-Atlantic Coral Ecosystem Study

UNCW University of North Carolina at Wilmington

UNGA United Nations General Assembly

USF University of South Florida

USGS U. S. Geological Survey

USVI United States Virgin Islands

VME Vulnerable marine ecosystem

VMS Vessel monitoring system

WHOI Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
57

Appendices

Appendix 1. MSA Section 408. Deep Sea Coral Research and 

Technology Program

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate regional fishery management Councils and 

in coordination with other Federal agencies and educational institutions, shall, subject to the availability of 

appropriations, establish a program--

(1) to identify existing research on, and known locations of, deep-sea corals and submit such information to 

the appropriate Councils;

(2) to locate and map locations of deep-sea corals and submit such information to the Councils;

(3) to monitor activity in locations where deep-sea corals are known or likely to occur, based on best 

scientific information available, including through underwater or remote sensing technologies and 

submit such information to the appropriate Councils;

(4) to conduct research, including cooperative research with fishing industry participants, on deep-sea 

corals and related species, and on survey methods;

(5) to develop technologies or methods designed to assist fishing industry participants in reducing 

interactions between fishing gear and deep-sea corals; and

(6) to prioritize program activities in areas where deep-sea corals are known to occur, and in areas where 

scientific modeling or other methods predict deep-sea corals are likely to be present.

(b) REPORTING- Beginning 1 year after the date of enactment of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006, the Secretary, in consultation with the 

Councils, shall submit biennial reports to Congress and the public on steps taken by the Secretary to identify, 

monitor, and protect deep-sea coral areas, including summaries of the results of mapping, research, and data 

collection performed under the program.
58Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Appendix 2. Major Deep-Sea Corals

Deep-sea corals, also referred to as cold-water corals, are a taxonomically and morphologically diverse collection 

of organisms distinguished by their occurrence in deep or cold oceanic waters. The calcified skeletons of 

certain branching stony coral species, such as Lophelia pertusa, can form large reef-like structures in deepwater. 

Gorgonians, gold corals, and black corals often have branching tree-like forms and either occur singly or form 

thickets of many colonies. Deep-sea corals lack symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae). Unlike their shallow-water 

relatives, which rely heavily on photosynthesis by their symbionts to produce food, deep-sea corals assimilate 

plankton and organic matter for their energy needs. They generally grow much more slowly than their shallowwater counterparts. The following table includes the major groups of deep-sea corals referred to in this Report.

Class Subclass Order Common Name Additional Information

Anthozoa—corals, sea 

anemones, sea pens

Hexacorallia 

Scleractinia Stony corals

A few species form deepwater reeflike structures known as bioherms, 

coral banks, or lithoherms.

Zoanthidea Gold corals Only zoanthids in the family 

Gerardiidae form rigid skeletons.

Antipatharia Black corals

Many branching forms. Certain 

species harvested for jewelry in 

Hawaii.

Octocorallia 

Alcyonacea True soft corals Most are not major structureforming species.

Gorgonacea Gorgonians, sea fans, sea 

whips

Many branching forms. At least 12 

families contain major structureforming species.

Pennatulacea Sea pens

Unlike other species, sea pens 

are found on soft sediments. 

Contribution as habitat and to 

biodiversity is not well understood.

Hydrozoa—hydroids 

and hydromedusae Hydroidolina 

Anthoathecatae 

(Family Stylasteridae) Stylasterids or lace corals

Can form branching colonies. May be 

confused with stony corals but the 

resemblance is superficial.

MAJOR DEEP-SEA CORAL GROUPS (Phylum Cnidaria) 1

1 Source NOAA (2008). More detailed information on the taxonomic classification of deep-sea corals can be found in Hourigan et al. (2007). 
59

Appendix 3. Deep-Sea Coral Areas in the U.S. EEZ with Limited 

Protection from Interactions with Fishing Gear

Below is the initial list, excerpted from the first Report to Congress (NOAA 2008), of areas known to contain 

aggregations of deep-sea corals that currently have limited or no protection from interactions with bottomtending fishing gear. Areas whose status has changed or where significant steps have been taken to increase 

protection (e.g., Council action) since 2008 are highlighted in blue. The Councils are considering many of these 

areas for HAPC designations. The areas were identified through NOAA survey and research cruises, research 

by academic and Federal partners, and information collected by Regional Fishery Management Council and 

National Marine Sanctuary processes. 

The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program has just begun additional analysis of areas, and no new 

deep-sea coral areas have been identified for this report. This is not a complete list of deep-sea coral areas. 

Detailed location data for deep-sea coral resources associated with these general areas will be made available 

to the Councils. NOAA will continue to develop the list as research continues and new information on the 

location of deep-sea corals is obtained. 

Fishery 

Management 

Council (FMC) 

Region

Identified Area with 

Deep-sea Corals

Current Status of Protection from Bottom-Tending 

Fishing Gear Impacts

Reference

New England FMC

Bear Seamount NEFMC Proposed HAPC

Packer et al. 2007; 

NEFMC 2007.

Retriever Seamount NEFMC Proposed HAPC

Packer et al. 2007; 

NEFMC 2007.

Heezen Canyon NEFMC Proposed HAPC

Hecker and Belchschmidt 

1980; Watling et al. 2003; 

Packer et al. 2007; 

NEFMC 2007

Lydonia Canyon

• NE & MAFMC monkfish bottom-trawl & gill net closure

• MAFMC squid, mackerel, & butterfish bottom-trawl closure

• MAFMC closed to bottom-trawling to protect tilefish EFH. 

• NEFMC Proposed HAPC

Watling et al. 2003; Packer 

et al. 2007; MAFMC 2008a; 

MAFMC 2008b 

(final rule effective 2009);

NEFMC 2007.

Oceanographer 

Canyon

• NE & MAFMC monkfish bottom-trawl & gill net closure

• MAFMC squid, mackerel, & butterfish bottom-trawl closure 

• MAFMC closed to bottom-trawling to protect tilefish EFH. 

• NEFMC Proposed HAPC

Watling et al. 2003; Packer 

et al. 2007; MAFMC 2008a; 

MAFMC 2008b 

(final rule effective 2009);

NEFMC 2007.
60Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

 1 Deep-sea corals were found near the head of this canyon and on nearby slopes, but it is unclear from the literature if deep-sea corals have 

been found in the canyon proper.

Fishery 

Management 

Council (FMC) 

Region

Identified Area with 

Deep-sea Corals

Current Status of Protection from Bottom-Tending 

Fishing Gear Impacts

Reference

New England FMC 

(cont.)

Veatch Canyon 1 • MAFMC closed to bottom-trawling to protect tilefish EFH 

• NEFMC Proposed HAPC

Hecker and Belchschmidt 1980; 

Hecker et al. 1983; Watling et al. 

2003; Packer et al. 2007; MAFMC 

2008b (final rule effective 2009); 

NEFMC 2007

Slope near Alvin Canyon • NEFMC Proposed HAPC

Hecker and Belchschmidt 1980; 

Watling et al. 2003; Packer et al. 

2007; NEFMC 2007.

Western Jordan Basin • No special protections Auster 2005 and Watling et al. 

2003; Auster (unpublished)

Mount Dessert Rock Area • No special protections Auster 2005 and Watling et al. 

2003

Georges Tower off the 

Northern Edge of Georges 

Bank

• No special protections Watling and Auster 2005

Mid-Atlantic FMC

Toms/Carteret Canyon • NEFMC Proposed HAPC

Hecker and Belchschmidt 1980 ; 

Watling et al. 2003 ; Packer et al. 

2007 ; NEFMC 2007.

Hendrickson Canyon • NEFMC Proposed HAPC Hecker et al. 1983 ; Watling et al. 

2003 ; NEFMC 2007.

Baltimore Canyon • NEFMC Proposed HAPC Watling et al. 2003; Packer et al. 

2007 ; NEFMC 2007

Norfolk Canyon • MAFMC closed to bottom-trawling to protect tilefish EFH. 

NEFMC Proposed HAPC

Watling et al. 2003; Packer et 

al. 2007; MAFMC 2008; NEFMC 

2007

South Atlantic FMC

North Carolina Lophelia

banks

• SAFMC Proposed Cape Lookout and Cape Fear Lophelia 

Banks C-HAPCs

Ross and Nizinski 2007; SAFMC 

2009

Stetson Banks • SAFMC Proposed Stetson Reef, Savannah and East Florida 

Lithoherms and Miami Terrace C-HAPC (Stetson-Miami 

Terrace C-HAPC) . Imagery from the 2009 research cruise 

off Cape Canaveral for two high-relief sites within the 

proposed Stetson-Miami Terrace C-HAPC between two of 

the “Allowable Golden Crab Fishing Areas” revealed very 

healthy cover of Lophelia pertusa. Almost 100% were live 

colonies. While these sites were already contained within 

the proposed C-HAPC, no groundtruthing had yet taken 

place.

Ross and Nizinski 2007; SAFMC 

2009

Savannah Banks

Ross and Nizinski 2007; SAFMC 

2009

Cape Canaveral Banks

Ross and Nizinski 2007; SAFMC 

2009

Miami Terrace

Ross and Nizinski 2007; SAFMC 

2009

Pourtales Terrace (shared 

with Gulf of Mexico 

Council)

• SAFMC Proposed Pourtales Terrace C-HAPC

Brooke and Schroeder 2007; 

SAFMC 2009
61

Fishery 

Management 

Council (FMC) 

Region

Identified Area with 

Deep-sea Corals

Current Status of Protection from Bottom-Tending 

Fishing Gear Impacts

Reference

Gulf of Mexico FMC 2

Pourtales Terrace 

(shared with South 

Atlantic Council)

• SAFMC Proposed C-HAPC Brooke and Schroeder 2007

Southwest Florida 

Slope Lophelia

lithoherms

• No special protections Brooke and Schroeder 2007

Mississippi-Alabama 

Pinnacles • No special protections Brooke and Schroeder 2007

Viosca Knoll • No special protections Brooke and Schroeder 2007

Mississippi Canyon • No special protections Brooke and Schroeder 2007

Green Canyon • No special protections Brooke and Schroeder 2007

Northwest TexasLouisiana Shelf Banks

• East and West Flower Garden Banks; Stetson Bank and 

McGrail Bank – Anchoring, bottom trawl gear, bottom 

longlines, buoy gear, and all traps/pots prohibited to 

protect coral. East and West Flower Garden Banks and 

Stetson Bank are part of the Flower Garden Banks National 

Marine Sanctuary.

• Numerous banks in the NW Gulf of Mexico harbor 

significant populations of deep water corals, are HAPCs, 

but do not carry any protection measures. These include, 

but are not limited to: 29 Fathom, Elvers, MacNeil, Rankin, 

28 Fathom, Bright, Geyer, Elvers, Sonnier, Bouma, Rezak, 

Sidner, Parker, Alderdice, and Jakkula Banks.

GMFMC 2005 

(final rule effective 2006).

Caribbean FMC Mona Passage – Puerto 

Rico • No special protections Lutz and Ginsberg 2007

Western Pacific FMC 

All areas of the EEZ 

are protected from 

bottom-tending gear.

• Areas in the EEZ are protected from bottom-tending gear

• Areas within the National Monument are fully protected. Parrish and Baco 2007

2

 In addition to the deep-sea coral areas identified here, there are likely also azooxanthellate deep-sea corals associated with the deeper areas of 

Pulley Ridge and the North and South Tortugas Ecological Reserves. The Tortugas Ecological Reserves and portions of Pulley Ridge have been 

designated as HAPCs by the GMFMC, and bottom trawl gear, bottom longlines, buoy gear, and all traps and pots are prohibited to protect 

coral.
62Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Fishery 

Management 

Council (FMC) 

Region

Identified Area with 

Deep-sea Corals

Current Status of Protection from Bottom-Tending 

Fishing Gear Impacts

Reference

North Pacific FMC 3

Bering Sea Slope

• The shelf break and upper slope, including areas of Pribilof 

and Zhemchug Canyons, contain areas of deep-sea corals 

that currently have no special protections. 

• Deeper areas near the base of the slope are protected from 

bottom trawling.

Stone and Shotwell 2007; AFSC 

2007

Aleutian Island “coral 

gardens”

• Six Aleutian Island “coral gardens” documented in 2002 

were protected in 2006 from all bottom-contact gear, and 

additional vast areas of seafloor are protected from bottom 

trawling.

• Since 2005, additional coral areas have been discovered, 

some of which are in areas not currently protected. 

Stone and Shotwell 2007; AFSC 

2007

Gulf of Alaska Primnoa 

coral habitats 4

• Bottom-contact gear is prohibited from five small areas 

in the Gulf of Alaska to protect red tree corals (Primnoa

sp.). Recently surveys in and near the protected areas 

indicate that other coral resources are present outside the 

protected areas.

Stone and Shotwell 2007; AFSC 

2007

Pacific FMC 5

Olympic Coast National 

Marine Sanctuary 

Octocoral, stylasterid and 

scleractinian (Lophelia 

pertusa) aggregations

• Portions of the Sanctuary are protected from bottomtrawling conducted under regulations implementing PFMC 

management plans. 

• Recent surveys discovered deep-sea corals outside the notrawl area.

Brancato et al. 2007; Whitmire 

and Clarke 2007

Monterey Canyon 

(gorgonians) • Certain areas have no special protections Whitmire and Clarke 2007

Astoria Canyon 

(gorgonians and black 

corals)

• Certain areas have no special protections Whitmire and Clarke 2007

3

 NOAA trawl surveys indicate that many deep-sea coral habitats occur in the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Island chain. The identified 

areas are only a few that have received more directed field study using ROVs or submersibles.

4

 Including Fairweather Ground and Shatter Ridge (southwest of Cape Ommaney).

5

 NOAA trawl surveys indicate that many deep-sea coral habitats occur along the continental shelf edge and slope along the West Coast. The 

identified areas are only a few that have received more directed field study using ROVs or submersibles.
63

Appendix 4. United Nations General Assembly Sustainable Fisheries 

Resolution (2009) 

The 2009 UNGA Sustainable Fisheries Resolution (64/72) was adopted on December 4, 2009. Among its 

provisions, the Resolution recognizes the actions taken by States and RFMO/As to give effect to Resolution 

61/105, but considers that further actions are needed to strengthen its implementation. In this regard, the 

Resolution calls upon States and RFMO/As to: 

□ conduct assessments called for in 61/105, consistent with the Guidelines, and to ensure that vessels do 

not engage in bottom fishing until such assessments have been carried out

□ conduct further marine scientific research and use the best scientific and technical information 

available to identify where VMEs are known to occur or are likely to occur and adopt conservation and 

management measures to prevent significant adverse impacts on such ecosystems consistent with the 

Guidelines, or close such areas to bottom fishing until conservation and management measures have 

been established

□ establish and implement appropriate encounter protocols, including definitions of what constitutes 

evidence of an encounter with a vulnerable marine ecosystem, in particular threshold levels and indicator 

species, based on the best available scientific information and consistent with the Guidelines

□ enhance efforts to cooperate to collect and exchange scientific and technical data and information related 

to the implementation of the measures called for in the relevant paragraphs of Resolution 61/105 and 

the 2009 resolution to manage deep sea fisheries in areas beyond national jurisdiction and to protect 

VMEs from significant adverse impacts of bottom fishing by, inter alia exchanging best practices and 

developing, where appropriate, regional standards with a view to examining current scientific and 

technical protocols and promoting consistent implementation of best practices across fisheries and 

regions

The Resolution also encourages States and RFMO/As to develop or strengthen data collection standards, 

procedures and protocols and research programs for identification of vulnerable marine ecosystems, assessment 

of impacts on such ecosystems, and assessment of fishing activities on target and non-target species.

The UNGA also decided to conduct another review in 2011 of actions taken by States and RFMO/As to protect 

VMEs and sustainably manage deep-sea fisheries in response to the actions called for in Resolution 61/105 

as well as the 2009 Resolution, and will include, as part of that review, a 2-day workshop to allow for broader 

participation in the review process. 
64Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009

Data sources for the maps

Northeast (Map 4):

Scanlon et al. (in press)

Dave Packer, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center (see also Packer et al. 2007)

Watling et al. (2003)

Southeast (Map 5):

Scanlon et al. (in press)

Andre Freiwald, University of Erlangen (provided by the Marine Conservation Biology Institute – MCBI)

John Reed, Florida Atlantic University/HBOI (provided by MCBI)

Gulf of Mexico (Map 8):

Scanlon et al. (in press)

Peter Etnoyer, NOAA Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research

Andre Freiwald, University of Erlangen (provided by MCBI)

Deepwater Program: Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental Slope Habitats and Benthic Ecology, Minerals 

 Management Service, TDI Brooks International (provided by MCBI)

West Coast (Map 9):

Curt Whitmire, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center (see also Whitmire and Clarke 2007)

Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (via Curt Whitmire)

NMFS-PaCOOS

Marine Conservation Biology Institute

Etnoyer and Morgan 2003

Stephen Cairns, Smithsonian Institution (provided by MCBI)

California Academy of Sciences (provided by MCBI)

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (provided by MCBI)

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (provided by MCBI)

Alaska (Map 10):

Bob Stone, NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center - Resource Assessment and Conservation Engineering 

 (RACE) Division

Marine Conservation Biology Institute

Etnoyer and Morgan 2003

Stephen Cairns, Smithsonian Institution (provided by MCBI)

Hawaii (Map 11):

Etnoyer and Morgan 2003

Chris Kelly, Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory

Southeast Fishing (Map 2):

Carlos Rivero, NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center

West Coast Fishing (Map 3):

Janet Mason, NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/2010_deepcoralreport.pdf
66Implementation of the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2008 – 2009 NOAA

Biennial Report to Congress on the

Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program

U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Gary Locke

Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and

Atmosphere and Administrator,

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA

Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D.

Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

Eric C. Schwaab

www.nmfs.noaa.gov

National Marine Fisheries Service

1315 East-West Highway

SSMC 3, F/HC, Room 14228

Silver Spring, MD 20910

U.S. Government - 2010