Southeast Deep Coral Initiative: Exploring Deep-Sea Coral Ecosystems off the Southeast U.S.

Southeast Deep Coral Initiative: Exploring Deep-Sea Coral Ecosystems off the Southeast U.S.
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Mission Overview

In August 2017, NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science led an 18-day expedition aboard NOAA Ship Nancy Foster to map, survey, and sample deep-sea coral ecosystems in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic Bight, focusing on management priority areas identified by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

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Recent Updates

A tinselfish swims among Lophelia thickets at Okeanos Ridge on the West Florida slope. Tinselfish (Family Grammicolepididae) were one of the more commonly observed fish species around 500 meters depth.

Summary Report for Leg 1 of the SEDCI 2017 Research Expedition

NOAA Ship Nancy Foster docked in St. Petersburg on August 24, culminating Leg 1 of the expedition.

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Colonies of bamboo coral (left), lace corals (center right), sea whip (right), and Leiopathes glaberrima black coral (back) at the proposed Habitat Area of Particular Concern site known as North Reed. Also shown is a blackbelly rosefish, with green lasers dots 10 centimeters apart.
Better Looking Maps Give Models Some Relief
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The engineering department of NOAA Ship Nancy Foster. From left to right: CME Tim Olsen, 1AE Carlito Delapina, 2AE Kyle Williams and JUE Joe Clark.
Into the Belly of the Beast: An Inside Look at Nancy Foster’s Engine Room
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ROV pilot and engineers Kris Ingram and Paul SanAcore preparing ROV Odysseus for a dive on the West Florida slope.
Illuminating the Deep: The ROV Odysseus
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Mission Logs
Mission Logs
Image and Video Gallery
Image and Video Gallery
For Educators
For Educators
Background Information
Background Information
Media Resources
Media Resources
Meet the Explorers
Meet the Explorers
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