And what remains to be explored could hold clues to the origins of life on Earth, to links to our maritime history, to cures for diseases. The voyages will be led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration along with marine research institutions and universities. Researchers will explore the Hudson Canyon off the New York-New Jersey coast, deep reefs and sea floor vents off the Gulf Coast of Florida and the Davidson Seamount off central California. Clinton also directed the Commerce Department to convene a panel of leading ocean explorers, educators and scientists to develop recommendations for a national oceans exploration strategy.
Commerce is to report back in four months.
The Hudson River Canyon lies about 100 miles southeast of New York, the most predominant underwater feature on the eastern seaboard, comparable to Arizona's Grand Canyon, only larger. It is said to be home to many economically and ecologically valuable species. Deep in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast, far below the reach of sunlight, are reefs and vents with dense thickets of giant worms and mussel beds. Thick mats of bacteria thrive on chemicals venting, seeping and oozing from the ocean floor. Funding for the projects is already included in the federal budget, the White House said.