Deep Sea Coral Research 

and Technology Program 

2018 Report to Congress 
About This Report

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program was established under the authority of Section 408 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 

and Management Act (MSA), as reauthorized in 2007. The MSA required a biennial report to Congress and the 

public summarizing the steps taken by NOAA to identify, monitor, and protect deep-sea coral areas, including the 

Program’s research activities and results. The Program consults with the nation’s eight regional fishery 

management councils and collaborates on research with other federal agencies, international partners, and nongovernmental and academic scientists.

The Program collaborates with other NOAA programs and offices, such as National Marine Sanctuaries, Ocean 

Exploration and Research, Fisheries Science Centers and Regional Offices, National Centers for Coastal Ocean 

Science, and National Centers for Environmental Information. These programs and offices support exploration, 

research, analysis, and management activities critical to understanding and managing deep-sea corals and other 

ocean resources. The Program actively works to leverage their expertise.

This report describes the 2016 and 2017 research activities partially or fully funded by the Program to meet 

NOAA’s mandate to identify, study, and monitor deep-sea coral areas. The report is supplemented with details of 

these activities: https://deepseacoraldata.noaa.gov/. The report also briefly describes progress during this period 

in MSA and other NOAA management actions that contribute to protecting deep-sea coral areas. 

A subset of deep-sea coral research activities funded and executed by NOAA programs and offices other than 

the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program is briefly discussed, as these activities are providing data 

that will be analyzed by our Program.

Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration

Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 

Atmosphere / Deputy NOAA Administrator, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere / 

NOAA Administrator

Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

COVER PHOTO: Thorny tinselfish swimming above dense Lophelia pertusa coral mounds discovered 

at 500 meters (1,600 feet) depth on the West Florida Slope. Image: NOAA, Pelagic Research Services.
Deep Sea Coral Research 

and Technology Program 

2018 Report to Congress 

Developed pursuant to Section 408 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Act, as Amended by Public Law 109-479 

Contents 

Executive Summary.......................................................................................................................................... 2 

About Deep-Sea Corals .................................................................................................................................... 4 

MSA Section 408: Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program ......................................................... 5 

Discovering Deep-Sea Treasures of U.S. Pacifc Island Marine National Monuments ..................................6 

Southeast Deep Coral Initiative: Exploring Ecosystems off the Southeast United States ...........................12 

West Coast Prepares for Upcoming Deep-Sea Coral Initiative ..................................................................... 16 

Alaska: The Role of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Communities as Habitat for Marine Fishes ...................24 

Northeast: Data to Inform Deep-Sea Coral Management ............................................................................. 28 

State of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Ecosystems of the United States Report ...........................................32 

Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program Review ........................................................................ 34 

World-class Deep-Sea Coral Database Advances ......................................................................................... 36 

Deep-Sea Coral Predictive Habitat Modeling ................................................................................................ 38 

........................................................................................................................... 39 

.................................................................................................................... 40 

Education and Engagement 

Appendix 1: Budget Information 

Appendix 2: Maps of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Location by Region .......................................................42 

................................................................................................... 

Appendix 3: Maps of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Protections and Areas 

with Potential for Fishing Gear Interaction 49 

References ...................................................................................................................................................... 58 
Executive Summary 

The deep sea is one of the last frontiers of 

marine research. Reaching extreme ocean 

depths requires committed scientists, 

innovative techniques, dedicated funding, and 

diverse partnerships. The National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Deep 

Sea Coral Research and Technology Program, 

administered by the Offce of Habitat 

Conservation within NOAA Fisheries, meets 

these charges by working directly with resource 

managers to identify survey and research 

priorities for deep-sea coral communities. The 

Program then works with partners to survey 

and fund cutting-edge research to understand 

coral survival, growth, reproduction, genetic 

connections, and recovery from damage. As 

such, scientists are characterizing habitat 

created by deep-sea corals for commercially 

valuable fsh and invertebrates on every 

expedition. In each region of the country, our 

work guides crucial protection for these animals 

to sustain the highly biodiverse and productive 

habitats the nation depends on. 

With an investment of about $2.5 million per 

year and through extensive partnerships and 

leveraging of funds, the Program is measurably 

enhancing our understanding of deep-sea 

coral distribution, function, and vulnerability 

to human activities. In 2016 and 2017, the 

Program supported robust research to inform 

management decisions and improve public 

understanding of the deep sea. Materials 

referred to in this document are available at 

https://deepseacoraldata.noaa.gov/ or 

https://www.fsheries.noaa.gov/national/ 

habitat-conservation/deep-sea-coral-habitat. 

• The Pacific Islands Deep-Sea Coral Fieldwork

Initiative (2015-2017) partnered with NOAA’s

Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

to explore areas of our ocean never before

seen by humans. Researchers described

hundreds of new species during 187 remotely

operated vehicle (ROV) dives comprising one

of the largest ocean exploration efforts in U.S.

history. Livestream ROV video feeds logged

more than 16 million views, engaging

audiences around the world in exciting

discoveries.

• Southeast Deep Coral Initiative (2016-2019)

researchers and partners have explored

canyon and slope habitats of interest to

regional fishery management councils,

and turned observations into predictions

of productive deep-sea coral habitat in

unexplored waters. Directly informed by

Program research and broadly supported

by the public, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery

Management Council unanimously approved

21 new Habitat Areas of Particular Concern

containing deep-sea corals in June 2018. 

Empty egg case of a skate, ray, or shark attached to 

the octocoral Swiftia koreni. Image: NOAA Offce of 

Ocean Exploration and Research. 

2 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 
 

• A new deep-sea coral research initiative is

beginning in the West Coast region (2018-

2020). The Program has gathered priorities

based on April 2018 essential fsh habitat

closures and reopenings designated by the

Pacifc Fishery Management Council. Many

aspects of these updates were informed by

past Program research on locations, impacts

of fshing gear, and fsh-habitat associations

with deep-sea coral.

• Research with partners and data analysis

has continued in the Alaska and Northeast

regions, which are currently between research

initiatives. The Program is working with the

North Pacifc Fishery Management Council to

identify priorities for future research, and the

New England Fishery Management Council

voted in January 2018 to protect its entire

exclusive economic zone deeper than 600

meters from most bottom-contact fshing gear

to beneft vulnerable deep-sea coral habitats.

Recent research and resulting protections from 

certain fshing gear underscore the growing 

recognition of deep-sea coral’s value, as 

Program data have informed decisions by most 

U.S. regional fshery management councils. This 

Report to Congress also describes updates to the 

Program’s Deep-Sea Coral Data Portal, which 

includes a library, photo gallery, and searchable 

map displaying the distribution of more than 

622,000 deep-sea coral and sponge records; 

and the recent State of Deep-Sea Coral and 

Sponge Ecosystems of the U.S. report, a major

publication describing 10 years of research and 

management actions taken nationally. 

None of these accomplishments would be 

possible without extensive contributions 

from collaborators within and outside of 

NOAA. The elements needed to make this 

Program such a success—including ship time 

coordination, predictive habitat modeling, 

underwater survey tool development, laboratory 

analysis, data management, and educational 

opportunities—are the result of multiple partners 

pooling resources for a shared mission. Critical 

collaborators include NOAA’s National Centers 

for Coastal Ocean Science, Offce of Ocean 

Exploration and Research, Offce of National 

Marine Sanctuaries, the U.S. Geological Survey, 

the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 

academic scientists, and non-governmental 

organizations. 

We are only beginning to understand where and 

how deep-sea corals grow and thrive. Further 

studies will improve our understanding of how 

these valuable and vulnerable communities 

contribute to robust fsheries and resilient 

ecosystems. In the coming years, the Program 

will continue to prioritize research that supports 

regional fshery management councils, national 

marine sanctuaries, and other resource managers 

as they develop management measures for 

deep-sea coral habitats around the nation. 

Dense aggregation of corals and sponges near Jarvis Island. Numerous 

shrimp, crabs, brittle stars, and fsh were also living within this structure. 

Image: NOAA Offce of Ocean Exploration and Research. 

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 3 
 

 

 

 

About Deep-Sea Corals 

Deep-sea corals can live for hundreds or thousands of years, creating remarkably complex 

communities in the depths of the oceans. Their 

habitat in the deep sea ranges from where the 

light is dim (around 150 feet or 50 meters deep) 

to more than 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) below 

the ocean’s surface. Deep-sea coral habitats 

Black corals often resemble bushes or trees. 

Some black corals may be the world’s oldest living 

marine organisms. This black coral off Hawaii was 

estimated to be more than 4,000 years old. 

Deep-sea stony corals range from small individual 

cup corals to large, branching species, like this 

Lophelia pertusa colony off Eastern Florida, that 

form extensive deep-water reefs. 

Gold corals, some of which have been harvested 

for jewelry, are unique in that they grow on the 

skeletons of other deep-sea corals and can live for 

thousands of years. 

Gorgonians, like this fan-shaped colony of red 

coral (Corallium sp.) on Davidson Seamount, are 

among the most diverse deep-sea corals. 

Lace corals, like these off California, are actually 

hydroids and only distantly related to other corals. 

Sea pens are related to gorgonians. But unlike 

most other deep-sea corals they live in soft 

sediments where they can form large felds. 

have been discovered in all U.S. regions on 

continental shelves and slopes, canyons, and 

seamounts. Their full geographic extent is still 

unknown, because most areas have yet to be 

adequately surveyed. 

A few deep-sea coral species form reefs that, 

over millennia, can grow to more than 300 feet 

tall. Many other coral species are shaped like 

bushes or trees, and can form high-density 

assemblages similar to groves or forests on the 

seafoor. Along with sponges, these corals form 

the most important living habitats in the deep sea. 

Nationwide, complex deep-sea coral structures 

provide habitat for many fsh and invertebrate 

species, including commercially important 

grouper, snapper, sea bass, rockfsh, shrimp, 

and crab. In addition to their value as habitat, 

sponges and octocorals that live in the deep 

sea can produce chemicals of great biomedical 

potential, and certain deep-sea coral species 

have commercial value as jewelry and art. 

Most deep-sea corals grow extremely slowly. 

Once damaged, the corals and the communities 

they support may take centuries to recover—if 

they recover at all. Deep-sea corals are vulnerable to disturbance caused by fshing gear such 

as bottom trawls that contact the seafoor. They 

can also be damaged by activities associated 

with energy exploration and development, cable 

deployment, and other actions that disturb their 

habitat. In addition, ocean acidifcation—a 

result of the ocean absorbing increased levels 

of carbon dioxide—can adversely affect corals’ 

ability to grow or maintain their structures. 

4 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 5 

 

MSA Section 408: 

Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 

(a) IN GENERAL—The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate regional fshery 

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 scientifc 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 fshing industry participants, 

on deep-sea corals and related species, and on survey methods; 

(5) to develop technologies or methods designed to assist fshing industry participants 

in reducing interactions between fshing gear and 

deep-sea corals; and 

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

scientifc modeling or other methods predict deepsea 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. 

Lace coral entangled with discarded line on the 

West Florida Slope at 400 meters (1300 feet) 

depth. A golden crab, blackbelly rosefsh, and 

crinoid are also visible to the right of the coral. 

Image: NOAA, Pelagic Research Services. 
6 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

 

Discovering Deep-Sea Treasures of U.S. 

Pacifc Island Marine National Monuments 

Between 2015 to 2017, CAPSTONE efforts: 

• Completed 24 cruise legs and 431 days at sea

aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.

• Conducted 187 remotely operated vehicle

(ROV) dives between 250 and 6,000 meters

(820-20,000 feet) deep.

• Mapped over 635,600 km2 (245,000 mi2) of

seafoor.

• Collected 767 biological specimens to document and discover new species, new records,

and range extensions.

• Engaged more than 260 scientists, students,

and managers onboard and onshore in sharing

knowledge.

• Logged more than 16 million views of live ROV

video feeds.

The waters surrounding the Northwestern 

Hawaiian Islands and U.S. Pacifc Island 

territories were the frst U.S. marine national 

monuments established. The Campaign to 

Address Pacifc monument Science, Technology, 

and Ocean NEeds (CAPSTONE) was a 3-year 

effort to collect deep-sea baseline information 

to support science and management decisions 

in and around U.S. marine protected areas in 

the central and western Pacifc. This crossNOAA initiative—led by NOAA’s Offce of Ocean 

Exploration and Research in partnership with 

the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program—was one of the largest ocean 

exploration efforts in U.S. history. A major focus 

of CAPSTONE was the discovery of high-density 

deep-sea coral and sponge habitats that 

represent oases of biodiversity in the deep sea. 

The data collected will continue to be analyzed 

by scientists in the coming years and will provide 

countless discoveries, insight into biogeographic 

patterns, and a better understanding of regional 

biodiversity. 

Vogt Seamount hosted one of the most diverse and dense communities 

of deep-sea coral and sponges of the 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the 

Marianas expedition. Image: NOAA Offce of Ocean Exploration and Research. 

The Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas 

expedition successfully confrmed the presence of

precious corals throughout the region with the frstever in situ imagery of these organisms. This gold 

coral (Kulamanamana haumeaae) was observed at 

“Santa Rosa North.” Image: NOAA Offce of Ocean 

Exploration and Research. 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 7 

Completed in 2017, CAPSTONE was a multiyear foundational science initiative to collect deep-sea 

baseline information to support science and management decisions in and around U.S. marine protected 

areas in the central and western Pacifc. In the map, the U.S. exclusive economic zone is shown in light 

blue, with protected areas and regions highlighted by color according to the legend on the left side. Red 

lines indicate the expedition path of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer over the entire CAPSTONE mission. 

2016 Exploration of the 

Marianas Archipelago 

The Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas 

expedition was the frst to specifcally search 

for deep-sea coral and sponge communities 

in the Mariana region. Ten impressively highdensity and several medium-density coral and 

sponge communities were documented. Some 

of the corals and sponges, especially at Vogt 

Seamount, measured more than 3 feet in width, 

indicating healthy and stable communities. 

Despite the precious coral fshery being 

listed as a managed fshery in Guam and the 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 

no precious coral beds had been identifed prior 

to this expedition, and only anecdotal accounts 

of their presence in this region existed. The 

search for precious corals was successful, with 

observations of pink and red precious corals 

(Hemicorallium spp.), long-lived black corals 

(Leiopathes spp.), bamboo corals (Acanella spp.), 

and gold corals (Kulamanamana sp.). There 

appeared to be little overlap between bottomfsh 

and precious coral habitats, as bottomfsh were 

found at shallower depths, but there was overlap 

between bottomfsh and other coral habitat. 
Several large

deep-sea corals

and a sponge grow 

in a high-density

community in the

Wake Island Unit. 

Image: NOAA Offce 

of Ocean Exploration 

and Research. 

2016-2017 Exploration of the 

Pacifc Remote Islands Marine 

National Monument 

The Pacifc Remote Islands Marine National 

Monument (PRIMNM) consists of Wake, Baker, 

Howland, and Jarvis Islands; Johnston Atoll; 

Kingman Reef; Palmyra Atoll; and surrounding 

waters. Prior to the start of CAPSTONE, the vast 

majority of the monument was unexplored, 

and the deep-sea habitats within were largely 

a mystery. However, by the conclusion of 

CAPSTONE expeditions, NOAA and partners 

had visited ever y unit of the monument, greatly 

expanding our knowledge about what exists 

within the monument boundaries and making 

critical data publicly available for managers 

and scientists. For example, 21 high-density 

deep-sea coral and sponge communities were 

documented for the frst time, with at least 

one new community discovered in every Island 

Unit. Precious corals (Hemicorallium spp.) 

were confrmed to exist around Johnston Atoll 

at 400-550 meters (1,300-1,800 feet) depth 

in very low oxygen conditions, suggesting 

commercially harvested shallower coralliid 

species can tolerate a wide range of oxygen 

levels and potentially colonize a relatively wide 

latitudinal range in the central Pacifc. Hundreds 

of observations were made of new or yet to 

be described species, new records, and novel 

behaviors and associations. 

One of the priorities for each

of the fve ROV expeditions

in the PRIMNM was to locate 

deep-sea coral and sponge

habitats. A highlight of the 

exploration of the Jarvis Island 

Unit was this unusual umbrellashaped pillar feature covered in 

deep-sea corals and sponges.

Image: NOAA Offce of Ocean 

Exploration and Research. 

8 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 9

Nine high-density deep-sea coral and sponge communities were documented in the Johnston Atoll Unit of the 

PRIMNM. Here, a high-density community dominated by sponges in the families Euplectellidae and Farreidae 

was encountered on “Ridge” seamount. Image: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. 

The Wake Island unit of the PRIMNM is home to numerous species of deep-sea coral like this Iridogorgia 

magnispiralis. Image: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. 
10 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

This deep-sea coral garden at Swains Island hosts numerous species 

of corals. The dive revealed a higher diversity and abundance of corals, 

sponges, and other taxa compared to other ROV dives in the region, 

including high densities of scleractinian coral colonies (Enallopsammia sp. 

and Madrepora sp.) around 1,100 meters. Image: NOAA Offce of Ocean 

Exploration and Research. 

2017 American Samoa Expedition 

Knowledge of fauna populating the deep waters 

of the central Pacifc, including American Samoa, 

is extremely scarce. Thirteen ROV dives during 

the American Samoa expedition explored the 

distribution of seafoor habitats, identifying 

distinct communities on seamounts, including 

one high-density community. The passage north 

of the islands is a major circulation gateway for 

deep water fowing from the South Pacifc into 

the North Pacifc, and may also pose a signifcant barrier for larval dispersal. Consistent with 

this hypothesis, coral communities discovered 

between 250 and 4,000 meters (820-13,000 

feet) in the American Samoan region were 

distinct from those north of the passage. 

2017 Exploration of the Hawaiian 

Islands and Musicians Seamounts 

Diverse coral and sponge communities of the Musicians Seamounts.

A) Dense precious coral (Hemicorallium sp.) community at Mendelssohn

Seamount (U.S. exclusive economic zone); B) large primnoid colonies

at Paganini Seamount; C) 3 meter (10 feet) bamboo coral colonies at

Shostakovich Seamount; D) diverse community at Debussy Seamount;

E) a coral community dominated primarily by chrysogorgiid gorgonians at

Sibelius Seamount; F) high densities of deep-sea coral and glass sponges at

Beethoven Ridge. Image: NOAA Offce of Ocean Exploration and Research.

Of the regions explored throughout CAPSTONE, 

the greatest number of high-density coral and 

sponge communities was observed in the 

Musicians Seamounts, a 650-nautical-mile-long 

chain that begins just inside the U.S. exclusive 

economic zone, north of Hawaii. Each site was 

unique in both relative abundance of species and 

unexpected fndings. For example, Shostakovich 

Seamount was home to huge bamboo corals 

measuring 3 meters (10 feet) tall and 2 meters 

(6.5 feet) wide. Mendelssohn Seamount, the 

closest Musicians Seamount to Hawaii, hosted a 

pink precious coral garden (Hemicorallium sp.)

composed of colonies more than 1 meter (3 feet) 

wide. Other locations exhibited mixed groups of 

high densities of precious coral (bamboo coral, 

pink coral, and black coral). 
 

International Collaboration 

As NOAA prepared to explore the Howland, 

Baker, and Jarvis Island Units of the PRIMNM, 

CAPSTONE’s 2017 expeditions offered the 

opportunity to partner with neighboring countries to investigate deep-sea habitats in their 

waters. Working in partnership with marine 

resource managers of the Republic of Kiribati, 

Cook Islands, New Zealand, Samoa, the Pacifc 

Regional Environment Programme, and the Big 

Ocean network, regional exploration priorities 

complemented overarching CAPSTONE themes. 

Telepresence ROV surveys discovered four 

high-density deep-sea coral communities, the 

frst documented in Kiribati’s Phoenix Islands 

Protected Area. Just north of the Cook Islands, 

a large-scale high-density community of old 

bamboo coral colonies that extended the entire 

length of the dive was discovered. 

While exploring the Central Pacifc Basin, a large-scale high-density bamboo 

coral (subfamily Keratoisinae) community was discovered north of the Cook 

Islands. Some corals observed were over 3 meters (10 feet) tall. Image:

NOAA Offce of Ocean Exploration and Research. 

A rare sponge in the subfamily Lanuginellinae, observed 

at Schumann Seamount. This species, nicknamed 

the “minivan” sponge, reaches the largest size of any 

known sponge and was frst discovered on a CAPSTONE 

cruise in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National 

Monument (Wagner and Kelley 2017). Image: NOAA 

Offce of Ocean Exploration and Research. 

ROV Deep Discoverer collected bubblegum coral (Paragorgia sp.) with an 

encrusting yellow zoanthid in the Phoenix Islands Marine Protected Area. 

Image: NOAA Offce of Ocean Exploration and Research. 

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 11 
12 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress

In 2016, the Deep Sea Coral Research and SEDCI’s fieldwork has included the following 

Technology Program launched a 4-year initiative highlights.

to study deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems • North Carolina Canyons—During 2016–

in the South Atlantic Bight, Gulf of Mexico, 2017, NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and 

and U.S. Caribbean. This multidisciplinary Research and SEDCI supported exploration 

effort, known as the Southeast Deep Coral of five submarine canyons off North Carolina. 

Initiative (SEDCI), builds on previous cross- Using an autonomous underwater vehicle 

agency collaborations aimed at increasing our (AUV), the research team conducted 10 dives 

understanding of the deep sea. The Initiative’s between 700 and 2,000 meters (2,300-6,500 

goals are to collect and provide data to support feet), high-resolution mapping, oceanographic 

science-based decision-making and to ensure data collection, and sample recoveries 

public access to this information. Research to better characterize canyon habitats. 

priorities were developed in consultation with Preliminary analyses have revealed deep-sea 

regional fishery management councils and corals in each canyon surveyed, although 

national marine sanctuaries, as well as partners diversity and abundance vary widely. 

from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, • Gulf of Mexico Northwestern Banks—With 

U.S. Geological Survey, and a number of support from the Deep Sea Coral Research 

academic institutions (Schull et al. 2016). and Technology Program, Flower Garden 

Southeast Deep Coral Initiative: Exploring 

Ecosystems off the Southeast United States

AUV Sentry 

deployment. 

Image: NOAA 

Office of Ocean 

Science and 

Technology. 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 13

Banks National Marine Sanctuary undertook 

four surveys of mesophotic and deep-sea 

banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico in 

2016-2017. 

 West Florida Slope—The West Florida 

Slope has been relatively poorly explored, 

but surveys have shown some of the most 

extensive and pristine deep-sea coral habitats 

of the Gulf. In 2017, 13 ROV surveys focused 

primarily on four sites under consideration 

by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 

Council as new coral habitat areas of 

particular concern (HAPCs), and discovered 

large aggregations of deep-sea corals within 

each site. Additionally, 53 biological samples 

were collected for studies on deep-sea coral 

population connectivity, taxonomy, growth 

rate, and reproduction. Images and videos 

were shared with the public, and collected 

data were used by the Council to further 

inform proposed protections.

•

In 2017, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer returned 

to the Atlantic to target exploration of proposed 

management areas in the Gulf of Mexico and 

along the U.S. East Coast. Program participatio

and co-funding of these expeditions supported 

SEDCI leaders, National Centers for Coastal 

Ocean Science and Office of National Marine 

Sanctuaries. The Bureau of Ocean Energy 

Management, U.S. Geological Survey, and 

researchers and graduate students from Texas, 

Mississippi, Florida, North Carolina, and South 

Carolina all contributed to SEDCI missions as 

well. Given the vast expanses of unexplored 

seafloor, collaboration will continue to be 

essential for advancing our understanding of 

n 

Map showing areas surveyed using deep-sea ROVs and AUVs during SEDCI expeditions in 2016-2017. 

These areas include deep-sea banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, West Florida Slope habitats, 

and submarine canyons off North Carolina. 

“The United States is a world leader in research and conservation of 

diverse deep-sea coral ecosystems, which are remarkably fragile and 

critically important to a number of commercially and recreationally 

harvested species.” — Pat Montanio, Director of the Office of Habitat 

Conservation in NOAA Fisheries
14 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2016 Report to Congress

A rare sighting of orange Lophelia pertusa located at 500 meters (1,640 feet) depth at Many Mounds on the 

West Florida slope. The vast majority of L. pertusa in North American waters are stark white, like the colony to 

the right in the picture. Image: NOAA, Pelagic Research Services.

the deep sea. SEDCI sponsored expeditions in from previous deep-sea explorations, 

2018 and 2019 will again focus on the South including submersible/ROV dives, mapping 

Atlantic Bight and Gulf of Mexico, as well as surveys, collected specimens, observations 

expand to U.S. Caribbean waters to improve of deep-sea corals and sponges, habitat 

our understanding of unknown and potentially suitability model outputs, and boundaries of 

vulnerable habitats. existing and proposed marine protected areas. 

This geodatabase is being used to synthesize 

In addition to major expeditions, SEDCI is past research in the region, and assess areas 

supporting smaller, targeted activities including remaining to be sampled, surveyed, and mapped 

species identification guides, environmental to meet current initiative objectives. Given how 

monitoring, habitat suitability modeling, and effective the geodatabase has become, the 

fisheries studies. For example, the Program Program will likely prioritize similar projects as 

is working collaboratively with Puerto Rican part of other regional initiatives.

fishermen to deploy low-cost underwater video 

cameras with fishing gear to identify deep-sea Among the most cutting-edge activities 

coral and sponge habitat associated with sponsored by SEDCI is development of new 

deep-sea snapper fisheries. The project has habitat suitability models that can predict the 

been well received, affording fishermen the first probability of occurrence for deep-sea corals. 

views of bottom-habitats where they fish. It will These models combine known coral occurrence 

also help focus more detailed research in the with data on temperature, depth, substrate, 

future, especially by collecting information on and bathymetry to characterize the habitat 

fishing intensity and potential bycatch of corals of different types of corals. The models are 

and sponges in deep-water fisheries. tested and verified by surveys, some relying on 

scientists viewing remotely from shore through 

SEDCI has also sponsored creation of a telepresence (see Modeling section of this 

regional geodatabase describing information report).
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 15 

 

Diverse and dense mesophotic community at Elvers Bank in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico. Image: University of 

North Carolina Wilmington – Undersea Vehicles Program, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. 

Flower Garden Banks National 

Marine Sanctuary 

2016-2017 Highlights: 

• Three expeditions with ROV Mohawk at

depths between 50 and 200 meters

(165-650 feet).

• 12 banks surveyed, 10 under consideration

for expansion of sanctuary boundaries.

• 120 biological specimens collected during

77 ROV dives.

• >75 hours of video collected.

• >10,000 images captured. 

Since 2016, Flower Garden Banks National 

Marine Sanctuary, with funding from the 

Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program, has conducted three missions to 

survey areas within proposed sanctuary 

boundary expansion areas. Seafoor surveys 

were conducted to better understand species 

diversity and abundance in the area, and to 

support taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. 

Expeditions have also documented marine 

debris, discovered previously unknown fragile 

glass sponge communities, identifed locations 

of rare or native species, and sampled several 

black corals that are potentially new to science. 

Many banks host dense communities of corals 

and other invertebrates, highlighting the 

importance of these surveys to support informed 

management decisions. These discoveries have 

been especially valuable for sanctuary boundary 

expansion discussions on how to best protect 

these unique and valuable resources. 

ROV pilots from

University of

North Carolina 

at Wilmington 

Undersea Vehicle 

Program prepare

the Mohawk, owned 

by the National 

Marine Sanctuary 

Foundation, for 

missions aboard 

NOAA’s R/V Manta. 

Image: Mercer 

Brugler, City 

University New York. 
16 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress

The Program’s first West Coast Research or dead). While most animals surveyed were 

Initiative (2010-2012) engaged new partners undisturbed, damaged communities were 

and excitement regarding the region’s deep-sea documented, and corals generally experienced 

living habitats. In 2018, the Program returns to a higher rate of damage than sponges. Bamboo 

coordinate and expand ongoing research: corals, in particular, suffered the highest rate, 

• Coral and sponge distribution, abundance, with up to 45 percent of colonies damaged in 

density, and diversity throughout the region. some places that remain unprotected after 65 

• Associations between managed fish species years of bottom-contact fishing gear history.

and corals/sponges. 

• Coral and sponge damage in areas of high The Program has also conducted groundbreaking 

fishery bycatch. research using environmental DNA (eDNA). This 

• Description of new species. technique addresses the high cost of deep-sea 

• Innovation of genetic identification techniques research, sparse locations of coral communities, 

for corals. and challenge of precise taxonomic identification 

• Habitat suitability modeling. with only photographs and video. With the 

• Analysis of pre-existing data. progression of eDNA technology, water sampling 

Surveys of ecological damage in areas with can add confidence to visual identifications and 

the highest measured levels of coral bycatch eliminate the need to collect coral specimens. 

in groundfish fisheries counted, measured, and Building an eDNA library could eventually save 

assigned condition status (healthy, unhealthy, considerable time and resources by relying on 

West Coast Prepares for Upcoming 

Deep-Sea Coral Initiative

Dr. Meredith Everett, holding a specimen of coral, Swiftia 

spauldingi. Coral genetic analysis has allowed discrimination of 

coral populations, as well as the first successful field detection 

of deep-sea corals using eDNA (Everett and Park 2017). Image: 

Seattle Aquarium.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 17 

Study sites off southern Oregon and northern California sur veyed for fshing damage between 600 and 

2,100 meters (2,000-6,900 feet) depth by Yoklavich et al. (2017). The size of orange circles (located at 

centroid of each dive) is proportional to average density of disturbed or damaged deep-sea corals and 

sponges observed during transects on dives conducted with a towed camera system, autonomous 

underwater vehicle, and remotely operated vehicle. The size of gray circles is proportional to catch 

per unit effort (CPUE) of corals as bycatch in NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center’s West Coast 

Groundfsh Bottom Trawl Survey (2001–2015). 
18 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

water samples alone to characterize deep-sea 

coral communities. 

The Program has communicated research 

results to the Pacifc Fishery Management 

Council to inform the process of designating 

essential fsh habitat (EFH). Minimizing damage 

to deep-sea coral and sponge habitats from 

West Coast groundfsh fsheries has been an 

important consideration in revising EFH. In 

preparation for 2018 fnal action on EFH review, 

the Council used Program-funded research 

Map of the fve West Coast national marine sanctuaries, all of which contain 

deep-sea coral and sponge resources. 

to propose major revisions to groundfsh 

conservation measures. If approved, these 

measures would protect important habitat while 

reopening less vulnerable habitats to increase 

fshing opportunities. 

The next initiative focused on supporting 

collaborative deep-sea coral and sponge 

research off the coast of California, Oregon, and 

Washington is beginning with a planning year 

in 2018. Funding will then be increased in 2019 

and 2020 to support habitat mapping, coral 

and sponge location identifcation, and targeted 

research. In 2021, researchers will complete 

analyses of data collected during the initiative. 

Deep-Sea Coral Research in West 

Coast National Marine Sanctuaries 

NOAA’s Offce of National Marine Sanctuaries 

protects some of the most important and iconic 

underwater cultural and natural resources in the 

United States. While past research has focused 

on nearshore habitats, a number of sanctuaries 

are increasingly investing in mapping and 

monitoring their deep-sea ecosystems, and 

have documented deep-sea coral and sponge 

habitats as part of ongoing research programs. 

The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program is collaborating with the fve West Coast 

sanctuaries to better understand their resources, 

and when applicable, to inform sanctuary 

expansion processes. 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 19 

 

 

region highlighting (in blue)

the area of seafoor 

mapped in 2016-2017.

Image: NOAA. 

Northern Channel Islands 

Channel Islands 

2016-2017 Highlights: 

• Eleven mapping missions covered 8,255 km2 

(3,190 mi2) of seafoor.

• More than 100 ROV dives were conducted

within and around the sanctuary.

• More than 60 hours of video captured deepsea coral and sponge distributions. 

Prior to this reporting period, less than 15 

percent of the seafoor in federal waters off 

Southern California had been mapped, which 

presented challenges to decision-makers and 

potential hazards to navigation. The Channel 

Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National 

Centers for Coastal Ocean Science compiled 

all available seafoor data from state and 

federal agencies, academic institutions, and 

non-governmental organizations to identify 

gaps and prioritize areas for future research. 

Throughout 2016-2017, with partial support from 

the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program, sanctuary percent area mapped rose 

from less than 50 percent to nearly 80 percent. 

Among other benefts, 

mapping the seafoor in 

high resolution contributes 

integral information to 

deep-sea coral habitat 

prediction. Informed 

by signifcant mapping 

progress, remotely 

operated vehicle (ROV) 

surveys have produced 

new coral, sponge, and 

eDNA records. Acquired 

in partnership with the 

Ocean Exploration Trust, 

video surveys have 

captured evidence of 

invertebrate and fsh 

associations, coral 

colonies damaged by fshing gear, and a new 

species awaiting taxonomic description. These 

results update nautical charts and inform 

management decisions regarding fsh habitat, 

fshery productivity, ecological conservation, 

renewable energy opportunities, etc. Mapping and 

survey data also improve predictions of coral and 

sponge presence and densities. Combined with 

other data, such as vessel monitoring, predictive 

habitat suitability models will help managers 

identify likely deep-sea coral and sponge 

locations, and assess the overlap of human 

activities within sanctuary boundaries. 

An image taken by 

the ROV Hercules

off Ocean 

Exploration Trust’s 

E/V Nautilus

showing multiple 

coral colonies 

near Arguello

Canyon, just north 

of the Channel 

Islands National 

Marine Sanctuary.

Image: Ocean 

Exploration Trust,

NOAA. 
Monterey Bay 

2016-2017 Highlights: 

• ROV surveys within the sanctuary documented

more than 260 species of deep-sea organisms

on and above the seafoor (including

19 species of sponges, 21 species of corals,

and a number of anemone, jelly, octopus, crab,

shrimp, sea star, and fsh species).

• A new feld guide has been produced to aid

taxonomic identifcation of deep-sea species. 

Deep-sea coral research in Monterey Bay 

National Marine Sanctuary is undertaken by 

sanctuary partners, most notably the Monterey 

Bay Aquarium Research Institute. ROV surveys 

have documented a rich diversity of marine life 

inhabiting the sanctuary seafoor and created a 

baseline taxonomic characterization, essential 

for understanding community composition and 

monitoring changes. In one particularly rich focal 

area, Sur Ridge, researchers created a detailed 

benthic and midwater feld guide documenting 

picturesque habitat full of 

yellow Picasso sponges 

and pink bubblegum corals 

rising more than 6 feet 

tall off the seafoor (Burton et al. 2017). Sur 

Ridge has yielded valuable information that can 

improve our understanding of local deep-sea 

coral distribution, age, growth, productivity, and 

predation impacts. These structure-forming 

species provide islands of protection, nurseries, 

and feeding grounds for a variety of sea life such 

as crabs and fshes. 

In 2018, deep-sea exploration will take center 

stage in an expedition on Ocean Exploration 

Trust’s E/V Nautilus to map and explore seafoor

habitats of Monterey Bay National Marine 

Sanctuary in depths of up to 4,000 meters 

(13,000 feet). The Deep Sea Coral Research 

and Technology Program did not fund these 

sanctuary efforts in 2016-2017, but will 

incorporate new deep-sea coral and sponge data 

records into its database. These efforts have 

well-positioned the Program to support work in 

this diverse and productive area during its 2018-

2021 West Coast Deep-Sea Coral Research 

Initiative. 

A crab and several different types of sponges inhabit

a rock on Sur Ridge. Image: Monterey Bay Aquarium 

Research Institute. 

Basket stars and precious coral (Corallium sp.) like these were observed at Sur 

Ridge off central California, in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Image:

NOAA, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. 

20 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 
 

Greater Farallones 

2016-2017 Highlights: 

• 2,457 km2

 (950 mi2) of sanctuary seafoor 

mapped in high resolution. 

• Four ROV surveys in unexplored deepwater 

targeted habitat characterization and fve 

surveys explored shipwrecks. 

• At least two new species of sponges discovered in sanctuary waters. 

NOAA recently expanded the boundary of 

Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary 

from approximately 1,280 mi2

 to 3,295 mi2 to 

include new areas surveyed by the Deep Sea 

Coral Research and Technology Program. In 

2016-2017, mapping by the E/V Nautilus—in 

collaboration with the NOAA Offce of Ocean 

Exploration and Research, Offce of National 

Marine Sanctuaries, and the Ocean Exploration 

Trust—more than doubled the amount of 

sanctuary seafoor mapped in high defnition. 

These maps will be used to plan research 

over the next several years and to better 

defne management zones for protection and 

sustainable commercial fshing. 

In 2016, ROV dives illuminated extensive 

deep-sea coral communities featuring a variety 

of bamboo, bubblegum, black, and mushroom 

corals. A number of these animals were 

sampled for museum collections and taxonomic 

identifcation, including using innovative eDNA 

Close view of the 

eight tentacles on 

each polyp of a

bamboo coral, from 

Pioneer Canyon (in 

the northern portion

of Monterey Bay

administered by the

Greater Farallones 

National Marine 

Sanctuary). Image:

Ocean Exploration 

Trust, NOAA. 

identifcation techniques. Surveys of the deeper 

portions of the Farallon Escarpment revealed 

long-lived black corals (aging analysis still in 

progress). Taxonomists are working to classify 

the specimens and quantify associated video 

data to expand our understanding of where 

corals are located. Two species of sponges that 

are new to science were also collected from the 

deep shipwreck, USS Independence, and a third 

collected sponge species was renamed with an 

expanded known range. 

An aggregation of bamboo and bubblegum corals on a rocky outcrop on 

the northern wall of Arena Canyon in Greater Farallones National Marine 

Sanctuary. Image: Ocean Exploration Trust, NOAA. 

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 21 
Typical Cordell 

Bank reef 

top habitat is 

completely

covered 

with colorful 

invertebrates 

like lace corals 

and strawberry 

anemones. Image:

Cordell Bank 

National Marine 

Sanctuary, NOAA. 

Cordell Bank 

2016-2017 Highlights: 

• Six exploratory ROV dives ranged from 740 to

2,700 meters (2,400-8,800 feet) depth.

• Fourteen seafoor monitoring surveys during

six ROV dives ranged from 70 to 120 meters

(230-400 feet).

• At least 16 new types of corals were recorded

in sanctuary waters.

The boundaries of Cordell Bank National Marine 

Sanctuary were also recently expanded from 

approximately 529 mi2

 to 1,286 mi2 to include 

new deep-sea areas. Corals, sponges, and other 

invertebrates that had never been recorded 

in Cordell Bank were found during a 2017 

ROV expedition to the deepest depths of the 

sanctuary yet surveyed. Scientists on board the 

Ocean Exploration Trust’s E/V Nautilus collected

the frst records of black corals and bamboo 

corals in the sanctuary, as well as new species 

of sponges, sea cucumbers, anemones, and 

fsh, and supplemental information on habitat 

and environmental conditions. This information 

signifcantly expands our knowledge of deep 

habitats in the sanctuary, and opens new topics 

for future research and outreach. Scientists from 

multiple sanctuaries, the California Academy 

of Sciences, University of California Davis, and 

NOAA Fisheries collaborated on the expedition. 

Sanctuary staff and collaborators also surveyed 

the sanctuary seafoor in 2017 to implement 

long-term monitoring supported by the Offce 

of National Marine Sanctuaries and the Cordell 

Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Observations 

along 14 transects documented the habitats on 

and around the bank from soft sediment to high 

relief rock, which support diverse and abundant 

invertebrate communities. The surveys were 

part of the sanctuar y’s plan to characterize the 

sanctuary and monitor for changes over time. 

China rockfsh inside a sponge and pink lace corals

on Cordell Bank. Image: Cordell Bank National Marine 

Sanctuary, NOAA. 

Large bamboo coral observed growing horizontally off 

the steep walls of Bodega Canyon during surveys on 

E/V Nautilus. Image: Ocean Exploration Trust, NOAA. 

22 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 
 

 

Olympic Coast 

2016-2017 Highlights: 

• 2,531km2

 (977 mi2) of sanctuary seafoor was 

mapped in high resolution. 

• Sixteen ROV dives and 14 AUV dives provided 

approximately 200 hours of video footage and 

tens of thousands of still images. 

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary has 

made considerable progress toward mapping 

offshore areas of the seafoor classifed as “high 

priority” by a multi-agency spatial prioritization 

workshop sponsored by the State of Washington 

in 2015. Ocean Exploration Trust’s vessel, E/V 

Nautilus, mapped 1,300 km2

 (500 mi2) of canyon 

and shelf break habitats within and adjacent to 

the sanctuary in 2016-2017. NOAA Ship Rainier 

then mapped another 1,200 km2

 (460 mi2) of 

seafoor in 2017 to signifcantly advance highresolution habitat maps for Washington’s coast, 

including critical offshore habitats within and 

adjacent to sanctuary boundaries. 

The E/V Nautilus expedition also yielded 

a dazzling array of new deep-sea habitat 

information, including coral and sponge 

range extensions, specimens collected for 

identifcation, and discovery of undescribed 

species that may be new to science. ROV 

surveys explored hard-bottom sites with high 

vertical relief and complexity, primarily within 

submarine canyons that may provide persistent 

stable habitat for long-lived species. These hard 

bottom habitats comprise only about 3 percent 

of the sanctuary seafoor, but are believed to 

have a disproportionate value to deep-sea 

ecosystems. The NOAA Northwest Fisheries 

Science Center’s autonomous underwater 

vehicle (AUV) Popoki surveyed low-relief habitats 

surrounding canyon rims to characterize seafoor 

dominated by soft sediments, which comprise 

more than 95 percent of sanctuary seafoor. 

Video data and images will help sanctuary 

staff quantify composition, abundance, and 

distribution of deep-sea communities while 

supporting future efforts of the NOAA Deep Sea 

Coral Research and Technology Program. 

Recent seafoor mapping progress for areas of Washington’s Pacifc

coast within and adjacent to Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

blue outline). Black dotted outlines indicate areas of the seafoor designated

as “high priority” for mapping. Other labeled shapes indicate mapping from 

specifc cruises. The MSP boundary is the extent of the planning area for 

Washington State’s new Marine Spatial Plan, fnalized in 2018. Image: NOAA. 

The ROV Hercules encountered several large goiter sponges, measuring 

more than 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide, in deep areas of Quinault Canyon 

inside Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. This photo documents an 

ancient sponge with tiny shrimp and a thornyhead rockfsh perched inside.

Image: Ocean Exploration Trust, NOAA. 

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 23 
24 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

Alaska: The role of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge 

Communities as Habitat for Marine Fishes 

2016-2017 Highlights: 

• Analyses conducted for more than 450

underwater camera transects surveyed in the

eastern Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands during

the past Alaska Deep-Sea Coral Fieldwork

Initiative.

• 500,000+ images examined.

• 200,000+ fsh and invertebrates identifed.

• 25,000+animal size measurements

collected.

• Analysis conducted for 79 underwater

acoustic-optic survey locations in the western

and central Gulf of Alaska to document

rockfsh and deep-sea coral/sponge

associations.

• Analysis conducted for 73 more locations in

areas closed to fshing on the Gulf of Alaska

slope.

• 120 new records of deep-sea corals and

sponges added to the National Database, with

more to come in the next year.

Data from camera surveys have provided the 

frst broad-scale distribution and abundance 

estimates of deep-sea corals and sponges in the 

eastern Bering Sea canyons and slope (Goddard 

et al. 2016, Rooper et al. 2016), Aleutian 

Islands (Goddard et al. 2017), and Gulf of 

Alaska (Wilborn et al. 2017) ecosystems. These 

measurements have informed management 

decisions affecting commercial fsheries. For 

example, image analyses documented coral 

and sponge presence at all three closed areas 

surveyed on the Gulf of Alaska slope with 

densities comparable to other slope ecosystems 

in Alaska and elsewhere in the United States. 

Now that we have more information about their 

locations and densities, a key question is the role 

of deep-sea coral communities in supporting 

healthy and sustainable fsheries. 

In Alaska, almost all studies on associations 

of fsh (especially rockfshes) with corals and 

sponges have found signifcantly positive 

coexistence. Scientists in Alaska recently 

compared the association of fsh and crab 

species with deep-sea corals and sponges, as 

well as other seafoor structure across different 

areas of the eastern Bering Sea and Aleutian 

Islands. This project built on the signifcant data 

and images collected during the Program’s 

Alaska Deep-Sea Coral Fieldwork Initiative of 

2012-2015. Densities of fsh and crabs were 

positively correlated to the amount of rocky 

habitat and density of deep-sea corals and 

sponges. However, abundance of corals and 

sponges was much different across ecosystems, 

with Aleutian Islands densities roughly three 

orders of magnitude higher than in the eastern 

Bering Sea. 

Researchers also examined images with 

commercially important fshes and crabs to 

determine their association strength with 

seafoor structure. At broad scales, rockfsh 

species and Pacifc cod were signifcantly 

correlated to structured seafoors. At the 

smaller scale of individual fsh, Pacifc cod, 

northern rockfsh, and Pacifc Ocean perch were 

signifcantly associated with structure. Fish were 

documented in association with both small and 

large seafoor structures, but the strength of 

association with structure was weak for large 

fsh. Researchers also found rockfsh to prefer 

sponges to other structures, even when all 

types were available. These relationships were 

consistent across ecosystems, indicating that 

even though rockfsh densities and coral and 

sponge abundances were ver y different between 

the eastern Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, 

the ecological processes guiding habitat use by 

rockfsh were consistent. 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 25 

Proportion 

0.00 

0.25 

0.50 

0.75 

1.00 

None Rock Sponge Coral SeaPen SeaWhip Other

Northern rockfsh

Pacifc ocean perch

Sebastes spp.

Blackspotted/rougheye rockfsh

Shortraker Rockfsh

Pacifc cod

Pacifc halibut

Giant grenadier

Sebastolobus spp. 

Atheresthes spp.

Rex sole

Pollock

Chionoecetes spp. 

Association of fshes and different types of bottom structure across the eastern Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. 

Pacifc Ocean perch (Sebastes alutus) in coral and sponge habitat. Images: Alaska Fisheries Science Center. 
Sponge Habitat Composition Coral Habitat Composition 

<1% 1% 1% 

<1% <1% 12% 

2% 1% 

1% 

1% 

6% 

4% 

7% 

65% 

2% 

1% 

5% 

4% 

11% 

76% 

Bare Habitat Composition 

Copepods

Euphausids 15% 1% Amphipoda

1% Barnacles

3% 

2% Crabs/Shrimp

2% Gastropoda

Fish

14% 

62% Echinoderms

Polychaetes

Hydrozoans 1% 

1% Other

Percent composition of larval animals identifed at three different habitat types (sponge, coral, and bare rock). 

Researchers in Alaska also completed a pilot 

project to examine the occurrence of fsh and 

other larvae in deep-sea coral habitat, sponge 

habitat, and bare seafoor habitat. A unique 

feature of this study was the tool used to collect 

plankton samples—a robotic larval fsh pump 

relying on a propeller to draw water through the 

plankton net. This innovative design allowed the 

pump to limit larval fsh collection to its time 

spent on the seafoor, avoiding contamination 

during transit, and to capture photographs of 

the collection site. Initial data collection using 

this novel device has captured larval rockfsh in 

rocky coral habitat, an intriguing result begging 

further data collection. 

Government-driven deep-sea coral and sponge

research would simply not happen without the 

partnerships and collaborative efforts of the 

larger deep-sea research and management 

community. 

26 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 27 

Larval fsh pump and habitat where larval rockfsh were collected in 2017 in the Gulf of Alaska. Images: Alaska Fisheries Science Center. 
28 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

Northeast: Data to Inform Deep-Sea 

Coral Management 

Since the close of feldwork supported by the 

Deep-Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program (2012-2015), research in the Northeast 

U.S. region continues. NOAA scientists and 

partners are analyzing the extensive image, 

video, and physical data collected during the 

nine Northeast Deep-Sea Coral Initiative cruises, 

52 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives, and 

151 camera tows. Samples of corals, sponges, 

and associates have been processed and 

curated. Taxonomic, genetic, and reproductive 

analyses are ongoing. These data continue to 

enhance our regional knowledge of deep-sea 

coral diversity, distribution, and habitat 

characteristics. 

A strong example of collaborative research 

conducted to address remaining data gaps 

and key research priorities after 2012-2015 

feldwork is the transboundary exploration of 

deep-sea communities between the United 

States and Canada, known as Northern 

Neighbors: Transboundary Exploration of 

Deepwater Communities. An international team 

of scientists used a Canadian ROV and NOAA 

ship to collect mapping data, high-defnition 

video, images, and coral samples in submarine 

canyons and the northern Gulf of Maine. 

Surveys conducted in poorly known areas led 

to discovery of diverse coral gardens. Likely the 

largest and most extensive colonies of Lophelia 

pertusa discovered to date were also recorded in 

the region. Physical samples were collected for 

taxonomic, genetic, and reproduction research. 

Video and photographs will be used to assess 

coral abundance, diversity, distribution, size, and 

species associations. 

A variety of deep-sea corals found on a ledge in an

unnamed canyon between Heezen and Nygren Canyons,

including the stony coral Lophelia pertusa, a large 

white gorgonian Paragorgia(bubblegum coral) and a

small red Paragorgia (upper left), and the gorgonian 

Primnoa (orange, center). Image: Northern Neighbors:

Transboundary Exploration of Deepwater Communities. 
Map of NOAA Ship Henry Bigelow cruise track from June 2017 with remotely operated vehicle sampling 

stations and high-resolution bathymetry mapping. 

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 29

Data were shared with both the New England canyons have distinct biological and geological 

Fishery Management Council and Fisheries signatures, which can genetically isolate certain 

and Oceans Canada to inform conservation species. Closer to shore, research shows that 

and management measures. The public was coral gardens are more widespread in Gulf of 

engaged throughout this expedition thanks to Maine waters than previously realized. Seafloor 

outreach initiatives by the NOAA Office of Ocean mapping, in partnership with NOAA’s Office 

Exploration and Research (http://oceanexplorer. of Coast Survey, revealed hard-bottom slopes 

noaa.gov/explorations/17gulfofmaine/welcome. that could potentially support deep-sea coral 

html) and Oceana Canada (http://www.oceana. habitats, as well as evidence of disturbance 

ca/en/expeditions/gulf_of_maine/gulfofmaine/ likely due to bottom-tending fishing gear.

overview). To learn more about deep-sea coral 

research and management in the region, see the Deep-sea coral data and predictive habitat 

NOAA story map Exploring Deep-Sea Corals in suitability models continue to inform regional 

the Gulf of Maine. fishery management council decision-making 

with respect to defining essential fish habitat 

Preliminary image analyses have revealed and deep-sea coral management alternatives. 

coral and sponge abundance, diversity, and The New England Fishery Management Council 

distribution in U.S. Northeast waters to be recently took a similar approach to that of 

greater than previously thought, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic Council by using Programoffshore canyons. Results also show that these supported surveys, historical data, and habitat 
suitability models. This information was used 

to generate options to designate expansive 

deep-sea coral protection zones in the frst and 

second implementation of the deep-sea coral 

discretionary authority (MSA section 303(b)(2)(B)) 

nationally. In 2016, the Canadian government 

also protected 9,600 km2

 (3,700 mi2) of coral 

and sponge habitat based on data collected 

during the Northeast Deep-Sea Coral Initiative. 

These areas were revisited and further explored 

by the Northern Neighbors: Transboundary 

Exploration of Deepwater Communities 

expedition in 2017. 

Information collected throughout the Northeast 

Regional Deep-Sea Coral Initiative was also 

instrumental to the designation of the frst 

marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean, 

the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine 

National Monument, in 2016. The monument 

consists of two units representing distinct 

geological features that support vulnerable 

ecological communities, including deep-sea 

coral and sponge habitats. The presidential 

proclamation specifcally referenced deep-sea 

corals, along with “other structure-forming fauna 

such as sponges and anemones,” as resources 

that “create a foundation for vibrant deep-sea 

ecosystems.” The Department of the Interior and 

NOAA will jointly manage the monument. 

In addition to recent research and management 

actions, the Northeast Fisheries Observer 

Program has also benefted from the expertise 

of NOAA deep-sea coral scientists to improve 

observer training materials and guidance on 

documenting corals obtained as commercial 

fshery bycatch. Since protocol updates, 

observers are now collecting data on structureforming gorgonians and sea pens, among 

other previously unreported groups. Continuing 

to improve observations of commercial 

deep-sea coral bycatch will lead to a better 

understanding of their interactions with 

fsheries, and guide habitat conservation efforts 

in the Northeast. 

Bubblegum coral, Acadian redfsh, and sea anemones on a large boulder in Georges Canyon (Canada). Image: Northern Neighbors:

Transboundary Exploration of Deepwater Communities. 

30 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 
 

Deep-sea coral protection zones for the

Northeast region enacted in the Mid-Atlantic

and being considered for New England.

Broad zones are shaded; discrete zones on

seamounts, in canyons, and in the Gulf of Maine 

are outlined. New England zone boundaries 

have not yet been approved by NOAA. 

A diverse assemblage of deep-sea corals 

and sponges in Kinlan Canyon, located 

between Heezen and Nygren Canyons 

(United States). This canyon was named in 

2018 for Dr. Brian Kinlan, a NOAA scientist 

who signifcantly advanced predictive habitat 

modeling. Image: Northern Neighbors:

Transboundary Exploration of Deepwater 

Communities. 

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 31 
32 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

State of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge 

Ecosystems of the United States Report 

Cover of the 2017 

State of Deep-Sea 

Coral and Sponge 

Ecosystems of 

the United States 

report. 

NOAA’s new report, State of Deep-Sea Coral 

and Sponge Ecosystems of the United States 

(Hourigan et al. 2017), reviews advances in 

deep-sea coral research over the past decade 

and how this new information is shaping 

deep-sea conservation. Each of the 

report’s 13 peer-reviewed chapters was 

written by leading U.S. researchers. 

Six regional chapters summarize new 

research—much of it led by NOAA— 

and explain how results have led to 

improvements in deep-sea management 

as well as understanding of coral and 

sponge taxonomy, species distributions, 

fsheries habitats, and the effects of 

human activities. These chapters serve 

as a 10-year update to the frst State of Deep 

Coral Ecosystems of the United States report, 

published in 2007, and provide the frst look at 

U.S. deep-sea sponge ecosystems. Discoveries 

since the frst report have also led to the 

description and increased understanding of 62 

new species of deep-sea corals in U.S. waters, 

which are included in peer-reviewed species 

lists as an online supplement to the report. 

Six additional articles focus on cross-cutting 

topics including species discovery, interactions 

between fshing gear and deep-sea corals/ 

sponges, management of black coral harvests, 

improvements in habitat modeling, advances 

in coral ageing and growth rate research, 

and current knowledge of coral population 

connectivity. Research presented in this report 

consolidates our understanding of how deep-sea 

corals and sponges contribute to resilient 

ecosystems and sustainable fsheries. 

Highlights of the report include the following: 

• Deep-sea corals and sponges create the most 

important biogenic habitats in deep U.S. waters. 

• Sixty-two new species of deep-sea corals 

described since 2007. 

• New diverse and dense deep-sea coral 

“gardens” discovered in every U.S. region, 

especially Alaska, where new evidence points 

to their role as habitat for fsheries of national 

and international importance. 

• Expansion of national marine sanctuaries 

along the West Coast to include deepwater 

habitats that contain deep-sea corals and 

sponges. 

• Results of a major 3-year exploration and 

research campaign in previously unexplored 

U.S. Pacifc Island slopes, oceanic ridges, and 

seamounts. 

• Deep-sea coral damage and management 

responses after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon 

oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. 

• Use of habitat suitability models to aid 

protection of 38,000 square miles of the 

Northeast deep sea, which has helped make 

the United States a leader in deep-sea 

conservation. 

• Enhanced protection in the Southeast for 

areas containing one of the most substantial 

concentrations of deep-sea coral reefs in the 

world. 

• Updated conservation status and threat 

analysis for U.S. deep-sea coral and sponge 

ecosystems, progress in conservation, and 

potential implications of emerging industries 

such as deep-sea mining. 

Deep-sea corals and sponges are extremely 

vulnerable to human activities that damage the 

seafoor or alter the surrounding environment, 

and may take centuries to recover—if they 

recover at all. The report serves as a baseline 

for continued research to further understand and 

conserve these ecosystems. 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 33 

Newly described species of stylasterid coral, Crypthelia kelleyi, discovered on a CAPSTONE expedition to the Northwestern 

Hawaiian Islands. This and other newly described species were highlighted in the 2017 State of Deep-Sea Coral and 

Sponge Ecosystems of the United States report as part of the frst U.S. peer-reviewed deep-sea coral species list. Image:

NOAA Offce of Ocean Exploration and Research. 

Dense pink coral garden discovered at nearly 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) on Mendellsohn Seamount in the Pacifc Islands. 

Image: NOAA Offce of Ocean Exploration and Research. 
34 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

Deep Sea Coral Research and 

Technology Program Review 

The mission of NOAA’s Deep Sea Coral Research 

and Technology Program is to provide sound 

science to protect and manage vulnerable 

deep-sea ecosystems. These ecosystems 

support our nation’s fsheries and provide 

other valuable services, and NOAA scientists 

aligned with the Program have worked closely 

with resource managers to ensure that data 

collected are relevant to their needs and 

priorities. During its frst 8 years, the Program 

increased our understanding of deep-sea coral 

and sponge habitats in U.S. waters, and provided 

information to protect these critical resources. In 

order to build on these successes and improve 

effectiveness, the Program conducted a review 

in 2017 (https://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/sites/ 

default/fles/TM-OHC-5.pdf). The review solicited 

feedback and evaluated accomplishments to 

date with the goal of better engaging partners 

and leadership, addressing stakeholder needs 

and challenges, effectively informing resource 

managers, promoting new ideas, and increasing 

operational cost effciency. This review included 

presentations by principal investigators and 

regional fshery management councils, broad 

perspectives gathered from surveys and 

interviews, and a workshop convened to discuss 

approaches to address Program and partner 

objectives, priorities, and opportunities. 

Past successes and needed improvements were 

major themes discussed during the review. 

Valuable Program contributions have included 

improving knowledge of deep-sea coral and 

sponge habitat distribution in U.S. waters, 

maintaining and disseminating this information 

in a world-class database and portal, translating 

research results to inform management by 

regional fshery management councils and 

other entities, and fostering partnerships and 

leveraging funds to enhance cost-effectiveness 

of these activities. Program-funded research 

has been instrumental in catalyzing national 

deep-sea conservation actions since 2010. 

Based on recommendations from the review, the 

Program has begun a plan of action to further 

improve its effectiveness, including the following 

key elements. 

• Update the operational model for feld

research: The Program has begun to move

from funding two concurrent regional

feldwork initiatives to funding one at a time.

Each region will now receive enhanced

support for research activities during 2

core years (up to $1 million each year),

supplemented by smaller amounts for

planning and preparation during the preceding

year, and for analyses and project wrap-up

during the following year. This model with

non-overlapping and enhanced core regional

support provides more fexibility for regions

not currently in a focused initiative year to

maintain data analysis teams and to capitalize

on opportunities and partnerships with

remaining Program funds.

• Partnerships are key: Strengthening existing

partnerships and building new collaborations

within NOAA and with other federal agencies,

academia, foundations, and industry was

highlighted as central to successful deep-sea

research and exploration.

• Continuing and new research: Emphasis

was especially placed on surveys and habitat

characterization, mapping, genetics, better

understanding coral and sponges as habitat

for managed fsheries species, recovery from

damage, predictive habitat suitability

modeling, and data mining and annotation to

support complementary partner efforts.

• Database and reporting: The Program was

advised to continue improvements to quality
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 35 

 

 

Pacifc Is. 

Southeast 

West Coast 

Alaska 

Northeast 

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 

Region 

The revised regional feld research initiative funding schedule will provide 1 year of planning ramp-up funds, 

2 years of full initiative funding, and 1 year of ramp-down funds for data analysis. This approach will result in a 

5-year cycle before the Program returns to a particular region for a new initiative. Implementation of this model 

is beginning in FY 2018 with Pacifc Islands ramp-down and West Coast ramp-up. 

control of National Database records, simplify 

researcher reporting requirements, and create 

data submission templates to improve the 

process of making Program-supported and 

partner-collected data publicly available. 

• Communication: More effectively telling the 

story of deep-sea coral and sponge research 

in support of management actions by councils 

and sanctuaries was highlighted as a valuable 

area for Program growth. Deep-sea corals are 

among the slowest growing and oldest animals 

in the ocean, with some species living more 

than 4,000 years. Along with deep-sea sponges, 

they may represent sources for new medicines, 

and support ecosystems of incredible variety, 

diversity, and often commercial value. The 

habitats they create are also captivatingly 

beautiful, and the Program would beneft from 

enhancing communication efforts. 

Program researchers, managers, and partners 

concluded that from a national perspective, 

the outcomes most critical to Program success 

include advancing the understanding of 

deep-sea coral and sponge habitat distribution 

and developing and maintaining a world-class 

database and data portal. These outcomes 

are enabled by supporting excellence in a 

set of priority research areas: surveys and 

habitat characterization, mapping (largely in 

partnership), genetic studies, determining 

coral and sponge associations with managed 

species productivity, and recovery from damage. 

Models, image and video annotation, and data 

analysis (including partner efforts) are key tools 

for interpretation of research results. These 

results then feed into the National Database to 

inform management decisions made by regional 

fshery management councils, national marine 

sanctuaries, marine national monuments, 

and regional ocean planners. Collaboration, 

sharing data/expertise/methods/equipment/ 

communications, and leveraging funds across 

and beyond NOAA are critical elements to 

achieving desired outcomes. Government-driven 

deep-sea coral and sponge research would 

simply not happen without the partnerships 

and collaborative efforts of the larger deep-sea 

community. 
36 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress

The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology • Planning expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos

Program’s research and data visualization needs Explorer to maximize the likelihood of

are supported by a data portal that provides discovering new deep-sea coral and sponge

access to the National Database for Deep-Sea communities, in conjunction with the NOAA

Corals and Sponges. The National Database and Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.

portal debuted in 2015 to serve the data needs • Planning expeditions on a variety of vessels

of regional fishery management councils, other to areas with past coral/sponge observations

ocean resource managers, and scientists. The to learn more about poorly understood

map displays known deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems, and in some cases to monitor

locations along with taxonomic identification, community changes, in conjunction with other

survey information, depth, oceanographic NOAA offices, the Bureau of Ocean Energy

variables, and often accompanying photographs. Management, U.S. Geological Survey, Fisheries

In 2016-2017, the database has been updated and Oceans Canada, Ocean Exploration Trust,

quarterly with new records and corrections Schmidt Ocean Institute, and a variety of

or enhancements to existing records. In this academic institutions and NGOs.

timeframe, the number of coral and sponge 

records in the database more than doubled, from Furthermore, deep-sea coral and sponge location

309,000 records in January 2016 to more than records, metadata, and/or habitat suitability

622,000 records in December 2017, contained model results are fed directly from the National

in 119 data sets. The portal now also provides Database into a number of spatial planning portals

access to deep-sea coral habitat suitability and tools. These data visualization platforms

model information, as well as story maps, exist to inform ocean planning and management

publications, and other valuable resources. decisions, providing a tangible return on

By providing known coral and sponge locations investment in ocean research and exploration.

along with relevant metadata, the National National and regional examples include the

Database for Deep-Sea Corals and Sponges Marine Cadastre and companion Ocean Reporting

provides resources to answer questions such as Tool, which will soon allow users to draw a box

whether a particular species has been observed around an area of interest and receive a report of

in a particular region or depth range. Uses of the resources (including deep-sea coral), activities,

National Database have included the following: and cautions relevant for that area; Northeast

• Proposing areas to protect from bottom- Ocean Data Portal; Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data

contact fishing gear, in conjunction with a Portal; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

number of regional fishery management Habitat and Ecosystem Viewer; Gulf Council

councils. Coral Portal and Gulf AquaMapper (developed for 

• Siting areas appropriate for finfish aquaculture planning); and West Coast Ocean 

aquaculture, in conjunction with the NOAA Data Portal. These tools provide known deep-sea 

National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. coral locations (and/or predicted locations) in the 

• Recommending avoidance areas for spatial context of other natural resources, seafloor 

fishing fleets using bottom-contact gear, in type, oceanographic information, jurisdictional 

conjunction with councils and NOAA Fisheries boundaries, protected areas, fishing regulations,

Regional Offices. lease blocks, hazards, existing infrastructure, and

areas of high energy potential, for example.

World-class Deep-Sea Coral 

Database Advances
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 37

Growth in the number of deep-sea coral and 

sponge records contained in the National 

Database at the end of 2015 (the year the 

map portal for the database was initiated), and 

cumulatively at the end of calendar years 2016 

and 2017. Deep-sea coral and sponge data 

ecords may represent discrete observations, 

or multiple coral/sponge observations over a 

arger area integrated into a single value (e.g., 

or trawl catches).

r

l

f

Number of Records

End of Year

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

Number of Records in the Database

2015 2016 2017

Known locations of deep-sea corals (circles) and sponges (triangles), with a focus on those within the U.S. exclusive economic 

zone (200 nautical mile limit outlined in pink). Locations of taxonomically different corals and sponges are shown in different 

colors (see legend at right). National marine sanctuary boundaries are also shown in hatched orange areas. Since most of the 

deep sea is unexplored and coral/sponge absence data are not currently included in the National Database, areas on the map 

without records do not necessarily lack corals and sponges. 
38 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress

The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Habitat suitability models have informed 

Program supports predictive habitat suitability deep-sea coral surveys in a number of locations. 

modeling, conducted by NOAA’s National Centers In 2017, New England model predictions of 

for Coastal Ocean Science and the Alaska areas most likely to support deep-sea coral 

Fisheries Science Center, that is revolutionizing habitat became targets of video survey locations. 

deep-sea coral and sponge exploration and Researchers were then led to discover abundant 

conservation. Based on past observations, and diverse colonies of deep-sea corals. In 

historical deep-sea coral locations, seafloor type, another example, the Deep Sea Coral Research 

depth, slope, temperature, and other variables, and Technology Program is partnering with the 

models predict locations likely to be productive National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science 

coral and sponge habitat. Since gaps between and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 

survey areas can be vast, model results help to review nearly 40,000 video transect and still 

researchers make informed decisions about images covering more than 200,000 m2

 (50 

where to search for corals and sponges in the acres) of seafloor in the Gulf of Mexico. Resulting 

largely unexplored deep sea. In turn, exploration records of deep-sea coral presence and absence 

with a remotely operated vehicle or autonomous in the region will be used to develop new models 

underwater vehicle captures visual features of that will more accurately predict the probability 

the seafloor that can confirm or refute model of occurrence for a number of types of deep-sea 

predictions. With visual surveys providing coral. This interagency collaboration is being 

information such as coral and sponge species expanded to support modeling in the Southeast 

identity, number of colonies, and colony size, U.S. waters and off the West Coast. Learn more 

modelers will be able to refine outputs to improve about deep-sea coral habitat suitability modeling 

model accuracy. Deep-sea coral and sponge by visiting the story map created by NOAA’s 

habitat predictions for many regions of the United Office for Coastal Management: Discovering 

States are publicly available on the National Deep-Sea Corals—Predictive Habitat Modeling.

Database for Deep-Sea Corals and Sponges. 

Deep-Sea Coral Predictive Habitat 

Suitability Modeling

Habitat suitability model output for soft 

corals and sea fans in the Gulf of Mexico, 

overlaid with known locations of deepsea corals and sponges from the NOAA 

National Database for Deep-Sea Corals 

and Sponges (multi-colored dots). Darker 

areas of the model output indicate higher 

likelihood of suitable habitat. The U.S. 

exclusive economic zone (200 nautical 

mile limit) is outlined in pink.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 39 

Participants in 2017 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program– 

funded expeditions mapped deep-sea coral ecosystems in the South 

Atlantic Bight using multibeam systems of NOAA Ship Nancy Foster (top), 

and surveyed deep-sea coral ecosystems in the areas surrounding Flower 

Garden Banks using ROV Mohawk deployed off NOAA R/V Manta (bottom). 

Nine students participated in these two expeditions, and gained valuable 

hands-on experience conducting research in the feld. 

Education and Engagement 

The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology 

Program has expanded outreach efforts in recent 

years, especially in response to feedback from 

our 2017 program review calling for enhanced 

communications. To more effectively tell the 

stories behind deep-sea coral and sponge 

research in support of management, the Program 

sponsored a webinar series of 12 presentations, 

many viewed live by more than 100 people. 

Topics included recent coral and sponge species 

discoveries, response to environmental conditions, 

response to oil pollution, next-generation genetic 

techniques, habitat suitability modeling, and 

applications of research to fsheries 

management. Program staff also presented 

results at four conferences and an 

aquarium in 2016 and 2017, and hosted 

a special session at the International 

Symposium on Deep-Sea Corals to 

highlight chapters of the State of Deep-Sea

Coral and Sponge Ecosystems of the United

States report with author presentations. 

Throughout the Program’s operation, NOAA 

deep-sea coral scientists have worked closely 

with regional fshery management councils 

to ensure that data collected are relevant to 

council needs and priorities. In 2017, the Deep 

Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 

engaged staff from all eight councils in its 

program review and regional research planning 

workshops. Staff presented Program information 

and solicited research priorities and general 

feedback during North Pacifc, Pacifc, South 

Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico Fishery 

Management Council meetings. Staff were also 

consulted to inform the process of protecting 

deep-sea habitat overseen by the New England 

Fishery Management Council. Additionally, the 

Program engaged council staff from the South 

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico in research cruises 

in 2017 to inform habitat protection decisions in 

each region. 

Students have become increasingly engaged 

in deep-sea coral and sponge research and 

outreach during this reporting period as well. 

The Program sponsored a student through the 

NOAA Educational Partnership Program with 

Minority-Serving Institutions in 2017 to research 

the social impetus and policy-making sides of 

deep-sea coral and sponge protection. At the 

close of her internship, Danielle Olive from the 

University of Virgin Islands produced a story 

map, “History of Deep-Sea Coral Protection in 

U.S. Waters,” highlighting her fndings. In the 

feld, the Southeast Deep Coral Initiative (SEDCI) 

has involved 16 students on deep-sea coral 

and sponge research expeditions in the Gulf of 

Mexico and South Atlantic Bight in 2016-2017. 

SEDCI also consistently engages students from 

the College of Charleston in coral and sponge 

data analysis activities, which has resulted in 

fve masters theses. 

SEDCI expeditions in 2017 were also particularly 

successful at engaging the public through precruise background stories, on-the-ship blogging, 

and post-cruise video outreach. The 4-minute 

“Living in the Dark” video was created by Green 

Fire Productions to document the discovery of 

deep-sea corals, sponges, and associated 

species living 1,000 feet under the ocean 

surface, as well as how results are used to 

inform management decisions. 
40 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

 

Appendix 1: Budget Information 

Fiscal Year 2016 

Project Fishery Management 

Council Region Funding 

Pacifc Islands Fieldwork Initiative, Year 2 of 3 Western Pacifc $800,000 

Southeast Fieldwork Initiative, Year 1 of 4 South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, 

Caribbean $376,969 

Northeast research, mapping & data analysis New England, Mid-Atlantic $18,130 

Data-mining deep-sea coral records from NCCOS ROV video missions in 

the U.S. Caribbean Caribbean $25,000 

Research expedition data management National $125,000 

Taxonomic and genetic identifcation of fsheries bycatch of deep-sea 

corals and sponges Pacifc, North Pacifc $100,000 

National Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program’s (BREP) project to 

develop techniques to reduce interactions between fshing gears and 

corals/sponges 

Mid-Atlantic $50,000 

Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP) deep-sea coral and 

sponge identifcation and program analysis New England; Mid-Atlantic $15,000 

Reconnaissance survey of glass sponge bioherms in the Santa Catalina 

Basin of the Southern California Bight Pacifc $61,355 

Deep sea characterization and assessment within the Channel Islands 

National Marine Sanctuary Pacifc $25,000 

Distribution of deep-water coral and sponge habitats off Washington and 

Oregon and their functional links to demersal fshes Pacifc $38,918 

Enhancement of a coral and sponge feld guide for the Pacifc region Pacifc, North Pacifc $23,620 

Coral and sponge diversity in the eastern Bering Sea of Alaska North Pacifc $25,000 

Analyses to assess habitat associations for rockfsh and coral, 

summarize new research on Bowers Bank and Ridge and create a 

story map for the eastern Bering Sea Canyons 

North Pacifc $118,000 

Extended analyses of deep-sea corals and sponges from past 

AFSC surveys North Pacifc $26,509 

Seafoor mapping and exploration of the Southern California borderlands Pacifc $40,000 

Deep-sea coral survey image analysis Pacifc $25,000 

Deep-sea coral data management National $165,000 

Improvements to the DSCRTP data management system National $44,000 

Program coordination National $160,928 

NMFS management and administration National $199,657 

Total $2,463,086 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 41 

Fiscal Year 2017 

Project Fishery Management 

Council Region Funding 

Pacifc Islands Fieldwork Initiative, Year 3 of 3 Western Pacifc $754,000 

Southeast Fieldwork Initiative, Year 2 of 4 South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, 

Caribbean $720,907 

Northeast research, mapping & data analysis New England, Mid-Atlantic $75,875 

Internal program review National $4,050 

Research expedition data management National $130,000 

Taxonomic and genetic identifcation of fsheries bycatch of deep-sea 

corals and sponges, and development of population genetic and eDNA 

approaches 

Pacifc, North Pacifc $84,000 

Video analysis of deep-sea corals and sponges in Cordell Bank National 

Marine Sanctuary Pacifc $38,500 

Deep-sea mapping off California in collaboration with NOAA Offce of 

Coast Survey Pacifc $49,500 

Deep-sea coral data management National $165,000 

Program coordination National $223,178 

NMFS management and administration National $221,851 

Total $2,466,861 
42 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

Appendix 2: Maps of Deep-Sea Coral and 

Sponge Location by Region 

Records of deep-sea corals and sponges shown in this appendix can be downloaded from NOAA’s Deep-Sea Coral Data Portal. 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 43 

Note: Based on CAPSTONE surveys in 2016 and 2017, deep-sea corals and sponges are now known to occur 

in all U.S. Pacifc Island jurisdictions. Data from areas outside the Hawaiian Archipelago are currently being 

analyzed. 
44 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 45 
46 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 47 
48 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 49

Appendix 3: Maps of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge 

Protections and Areas with Potential for Fishing 

Gear Interaction 

The Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program has compiled regional fishery management council actions, national marine 

sanctuary and marine national monument designations, Program-funded research results, and scientific literature relevant for deep-sea 

protections in each U.S. region. The maps in this section show current management areas in federal waters where bottom trawling is 

prohibited in each region. Bottom trawling has the potential to damage deep-sea corals. Highlighted locations are open to bottomcontact fishing and have evidence of substantial structure-forming deep-sea corals or potential fishing gear interactions with corals. 

Directed by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to help reduce interactions between fishing gear 

and corals, the Program is committed to supporting studies that aid resource managers in developing and evaluating management 

options for vulnerable locations.

Every region of the United States, except the U.S. Caribbean, has now used data from the Program to inform protection of deep-sea 

coral resources. The chart below shows the percentage of each region closed to bottom trawling, the type of fishing that is usually 

most damaging to corals. It also shows the protection breakdown in each region by type, for example essential fish habitat (EFH). It is 

important to note that much of the closed areas shown in the following maps are too deep for normal bottom trawling operations, so 

have been closed as a precautionary measure to prevent expansion of these operations.

Data are available from the Program upon request and may be used by the councils to inform designation of zones to protect deep-sea 

corals from physical damage by fishing gear under the MSA deep-sea coral discretionary authority (Section 303(b)(2)(B)). The story map, 

“History of Deep-Sea Coral Protection in U.S. Waters,” displays more information about spatial protections benefiting deep-sea corals. 

The 2016 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program Report to Congress contains further details on known deep-sea coral

habitat areas that may be especially vulnerable to fishing activity.

Percentage of each region’s 

seafloor within the U.S. exclusive 

economic zone (EEZ) that is closed 

to bottom trawling (blue bars). Pie 

charts indicate the relative amount 

of spatial protection in each region 

established through various types 

of authorization mechanisms. 

While national marine sanctuaries 

add protection in some capacities, 

they do not regulate fishing and 

are therefore not included in this 

chart. Note that although bottom 

trawling does not occur in the 

U.S. Caribbean, it is not explicitly 

prohibited. In the North Pacific, the 

Arctic commercial fishing closure 

is considered regulatory because 

it could be reversed by a change 

to the Arctic Fishery Management 

Plan. Western Pacific areas 

protected as marine national 

monuments are also protected as 

part of EEZ-wide trawl restrictions 

(indicated by the hatched section). 

MPA = Marine protected area.

Percent of EEZ in each region closed to bottom trawling

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Caribbean Gulf of Mexico South Atlantic Mid-Atlantic New England Pacific North Pacific Western Pacific

Wildlife Refuge

Essential Fish Habitat

Closed Area/Reserve/MPA/Conservation Area

Discretionary Authority

Monument

Regulatory Closure

EEZ-wide Restriction
 

Alaska Region 

The North Pacifc Fishery Management Council has established extensive conservation areas around the region to protect coral habitats 

from fshing gear impacts. Coral communities that are still subject to fshing gear interactions include the following places. 

A. Gulf of Alaska: Primnoa coral habitats outside currently protected areas, including Chirikof Seamount, the Fairweather Ground, Cape 

Ommaney/Shutter Ridge, and Dixon Entrance basin. Most of these areas are closed to bottom trawling, but corals are vulnerable to 

other gear types operating in the region (e.g., longline gear). 

B. Aleutian Islands, and Petrel Bank and Spur: The Aleutian Islands are home to some of the richest deep-sea coral habitats in the U.S. 

EEZ. The Aleutian Islands Habitat Conservation Area and Coral Habitat Protection Areas provide important protections, but surveys 

and habitat suitability modeling indicate that a number of high-density Aleutian Island “coral gardens” occur in areas that are 

currently open to bottom trawling. In addition, relatively small areas within the Aleutian Islands have high levels of coral bycatch in 

commercial fsheries as reported by the Alaska Groundfsh Observer Program. 

C. Bering Sea slope: Parts of the slope, including Pribilof Canyon, have been identifed as coral habita t with potential for fshing gear 

interaction. Alaska Fisheries Science Center surveys and habitat suitability modeling indicate that slope coral densities are much 

lower than in the Aleutian Islands or Gulf of Alaska. About one-quarter of coral habitat predicted for the eastern Bering Sea slope 

occurs in Pribilof Canyon (about 10 percent of the total slope area). 

Deep-sea coral and sponge protections and potential for bottom-trawl fshing gear interactions in the U.S. North Pacifc region’s 

exclusive economic zone (EEZ). See text above for descriptions of areas highlighted in the map. 

50 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EE

EE

E

E

Areas of high-density deep-sea coral 

communities in the Aleutian Islands 

identifed by the Deep Sea Coral Research 54°N 

E

E E

E

52°N E

and Technology Program during 2012 and 

2014 camera surveys (Goddard et al. 2017).

E E

E

EEEE

EEE E EE E

E EE

Buldir to Near Bowers Bank E

E

E

Kiska Island E

50°N E

E

E

Amchitka Island EE Amchitka to Buldir E E

E E E E

EE E EEE

E E EE E E

E E EE EEUnalaska Island 

E

E E Atka Island E EEE E E E E E Seguam IslandAmukta Island Coral density (no/m2) Seguam to Amchitka E E

Aktuan to Samalga 

48°N E 0 Samalga to Seguam 

>0 - 0.25 

>0.25 - 0.50 

>0.50 - 0.75 High density >0.75 - 1.00 coral and sponge 

clusters >1.00 

176°E 178°E 180° 178°W 176°W 174°W 172°W 170°W 168°W 166°W 

Deep-sea coral models predict areas with a high probability of coral and sponge habitats 

around the Aleutian Islands. The distribution of probability of presence for coral in the 

Aleutian Islands is shown above, with the areas closed to mobile fshing gear shaded 

in grey. (Credit: Chris Rooper, NOAA). Under current fshery management measures, 

approximately 50 percent of high probability coral habitat in waters shallower than 500 

meters (1,640 feet) is not protected from bottom trawling. 

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 51 
52 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

West Coast Region 

Although more than 40 percent of the West Coast EEZ was protected from bottom trawling in 2006, additional areas of documented 

deep-sea coral presence remain open to bottom trawling and other bottom-contact fshing activities. The spatially discrete areas listed 

below, based on observed coral bycatch and documented presence of coral aggregations, include areas considered by the Pacifc 

Fishery Management Council for additional habitat protection. 

A. High coral bycatch area bordering Nitinat Canyon. 

B. Deep-sea coral areas in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary in Quinault Canyon adjacent to and east of the current Olympic 

Biogenic 2 EFH Conservation Area (proposed for closure by the Council in April 2018). 

C. High coral bycatch areas surrounding the existing Grays Canyon EFH Conservation Area (proposed for closure by the Council in April 

2018). 

D. High coral bycatch areas in Wilapa Canyon (proposed for closure by the Council in April 2018). 

E. Deep-sea coral areas in parts of Astoria Canyon outside the Astoria Canyon EFH Conservation Area (portions proposed for closure by 

the Council in April 2018). 

F. High coral bycatch areas 

off Central Oregon (portions 

proposed for closure by the 

Council in April 2018). 

G. High coral bycatch areas off 

the Oregon/California border 

(portions proposed for closure by 

the Council in April 2018). 

H. High coral bycatch areas in Eel 

River Canyon outside of the Eel 

River Canyon EFH Conservation 

Area. 

I. Rittenburg and Cochrane Banks 

and Escarpment within Greater 

the Farallones National Marine 

Sanctuary (proposed for closure 

by the Council in April 2018). 

J. Certain areas of Monterey Bay 

National Marine Sanctuary, 

including the Ascension and Año 

Nuevo Canyon Complex (portions 

proposed for closure by the 

Council in April 2018). 

“High coral bycatch areas” are areas 

with standardized coral bycatch 

(weight/km) in the top 1 percent 

of all coral bycatch coast-wide 

reported from commercial trawl 

fsheries, based on data from the 

West Coast Groundfsh Observer 

Program. 

Deep-sea coral and sponge 

protections and potential for bottomtrawl fshing gear interactions in 

the U.S. Pacifc region’s exclusive 

economic zone (EEZ). 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 53 

New England and Mid-Atlantic Regions 

Since 2015, both the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils have proposed management measures to protect 

deep-sea coral habitat, particularly on canyons and deep slopes. In 2017, NOAA approved protections for canyons and slopes proposed 

by the Mid-Atlantic Council that extend from approximately 450 meters depth to the edge of the EEZ. The Northeast Canyons and 

Seamounts Marine National Monument protects four seamounts and several canyons from most bottom-contact fshing gear impacts. 

A number of additional areas containing deep-sea coral communities have been proposed for protection by the New England Council 

(currently under review by NOAA), including canyons and slopes deeper than 600 meters and four areas of high-density coral gardens in 

the Gulf of Maine. 

A. Outer Schoodic Ridge. 

B. Mount Desert Rock. 

C. Western Jordan Basin. 

D. Lindenkohl Knolls. 

Deep-sea coral and sponge 

protections and potential for 

bottom-trawl fshing gear 

interactions in the U.S. New England 

and Mid-Atlantic regions’ exclusive 

economic zone (EEZ). Note that 

canyon features are outlined 

in pink, and green monument 

designations are semi-transparent 

to show overlapping bottom trawl 

restrictions. The New England 

Fishery Management Council 

proposed protecting its EEZ deeper 

than 600 meters from bottom 

trawling in January 2018. 
54 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

Deep-sea coral and sponge protections and potential for bottom-trawl fshing gear interactions in the U.S. 

South Atlantic region’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

South Atlantic Region 

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has closed large areas of its region to bottom fshing to protect deep-sea coral habitats, 

including fve coral habitat areas of particular concern (CHAPCs) and the Oculina Bank HAPC. In 2015, regulations to implement Amendment 8 to the Coral Fishery Management Plan became effective, expanding the boundaries of two CHAPCs and the Oculina Bank HAPC 

to incorporate additional coral habitats identifed by the Program and partners. Coral aggregations outside of the protected areas include 

the following. 

A. Deep-sea coral areas outside the Pourtalès Terrace CHAPC. 

B. Agassiz and Tortugas Valleys. 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 55 

 

Gulf of Mexico Region 

In the Gulf of Mexico, a number of deep-sea coral aggregations have been documented in habitats open to bottom fshing, as listed 

below. In 2018, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is considering protecting a set of proposed sites as habitat areas of 

particular concern within many of these habitats. 

A. Western Gulf South Texas Banks. 

B. Northwestern Gulf mesophotic and shelf-edge banks. 

C. Northwestern Gulf deepwater coral habitats. 

D. Northeastern Gulf mesophotic and shelf-edge banks. 

E. Northeastern Gulf deepwater coral habitats. 

F. Eastern Gulf off southwest Florida. 

Deep-sea coral and sponge protections and potential for bottom-trawl fshing gear interactions in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico region’s 

exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 
56 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

U.S. Caribbean 

Research on deep-sea habitats in the U.S. Caribbean to date is limited, and specifc locations of deep-sea corals and their amount of 

contact with fshing gear are not well known. However, a major area of deep-sea coral aggregations open to bottom fshing includes the 

following. 

A. Mona Passage, off the west coast of Puerto Rico, where deep-sea corals have been documented. 

Deep-sea coral and sponge 

protections and potential 

for bottom-trawl fshing 

gear interactions in the U.S. 

Caribbean region’s exclusive 

economic zone (EEZ). 
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 57 

 

Pacifc Islands 

Bottom trawls, bottom longlines, and bottom gillnets have been prohibited throughout the U.S. Pacifc Islands EEZ since 1983. Thus, 

there is little potential for bottom gear to interact with deep-sea corals in this region. A number of marine national monuments have 

recently been established or expanded in the Pacifc Islands, and recent surveys have documented important deep-sea coral communities in these monuments. 

Deep-sea coral and sponge protections in the U.S. Western Pacifc region’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Bottom trawling is 

prohibited in the entire Western Pacifc EEZ. Note that green monument designations are semi-transparent to show overlapping 

bottom trawl restrictions. 
58 Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2018 Report to Congress 

 

 

 

 

 

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Point Way NE, Seattle WA https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/Publications/ProcRpt/PR2017-06.pdf 

Yoklavich MM, Laidig TE, Graiff K, Clarke ME, Whitmire CE (2017) Incidence of disturbance and damage to deep-sea corals and sponges 

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150:156-163 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967064517300966 

U.S. Secretary of Commerce 

Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Secretary 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

RDML Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., USN Ret., Acting NOAA Administrator 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Chris Oliver, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 

December 2018 

https://www.fsheries.noaa.gov/national/habitat-conservation/deep-sea-coral-habitat 

https://deepseacoraldata.noaa.gov/ 

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