There is a need to ground-truth and positively identify these wrecks in order to manage these resources under the National Historic Preservation Act. In addition to foreign vessels, exploratory rigs originate from locations outside of the Gulf and can be sources of invasive species. With non-native tunicates and jellyfishes being sighted in the Gulf, more information is needed about the interactions between invasive species and OCS activities. Offshore oil and gas platforms are host to a wide variety of organisms. MMS is interested in determining if any of these organisms are potential sources of pharmaceuticals or other natural products .
Hydrates represent an enormous energy source.
Regarding environmental considerations, more information is needed about the location of hydrates and about the interactions of hydrates and chemosynthetic communities. As the need continues to address environmental justice, so does the need to identify where the potentially affected populations are. There is a need to assess the depth and depth of downwelling of surface water at the Flower Gardens. The impact of an oil spill on these corals is dependent upon the ability of the surface slick to be driven into the water column, reaching these reefs. Exposing native species to these chemicals will provide MMS with information about the environmental consequences of their use.