RESEARCH
Research in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) falls into two categories:
- Sanctuary Implemented Research - those projects initiated and implemented primarily by the sanctuary's research team.
- Sanctuary Facilitated Research - those projects facilitated by the sanctuary's research team, but initiated and implemented primarily by private sector researchers.
Research Opportunities List Serve
The Research Opportunities list serve is designed to disseminate information relating to marine and environmental research and volunteer opportunities for funding, conferences, and employment. Individuals may not post directly to this list serve but may email the moderator with announcements for consideration and possible posting.
To add yourself to the Research Opportunities list, send a message to requests@willamette.nos.noaa.gov with the subject line "Subscribe resFGBNMS" (this is case sensitive). Your name will be added to the list of subscribers and you will receive all postings.
The sanctuary's research team initiates research both inside and outside the sanctuary boundaries to address management issues. Efforts since 2001 have taken us to the deepest parts of the sanctuary where our goal is to characterize the deepwater habitat and develop a Geographic Information System (GIS) based habitat map for all areas within the sanctuary. Outside of the sanctuary boundaries, we are conducting habitat characterization investigations at other reefs and banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, as well as investigating the biological and ecological connections between these areas and the sanctuary. Further objectives include assessment of these reefs and banks for possible added regulatory protection. The research team uses a variety of tools and
technology to achieve these objectives.
Since 1999, through collaborations, proposal-driven grants, and NOAA shiptime, over 3700 sq. km of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico has been mapped using High-Resolution Multibeam systems. This effort includes areas both within and beyond the boundaries of the sanctuary. Twelve additional reef features were mapped, as well as the area between the East and West Flower Garden Banks. The coral caps of the East and West Flower Garden Banks were surveyed at 1 meter resolution - an incredible dataset! These charts provide the baseline upon which all future science is planned and orchestrated.
The FGBNMS strongly encourages researchers to conduct studies in the sanctuary. Most of these research activities require a permit.
If you are a graduate student or principal investigator (PI) interested in conducting research in the sanctuary, you should contact the Research Coordinator directly to discuss your research ideas prior to launching a project. We will do our best to help you realize your goals while adhering to sanctuary regulations and policies. You may wish to check out the current list of research projects to identify potential
areas of collaboration with other researchers and to avoid duplication
of effort.
Access to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary as a research site often proves to be challenging. The distance from shore, and environmental conditions, often cause research cruises to be postponed.
One of the main goals of the Research Coordinator is to facilitate access to the reefs. This is accomplished in several different ways.
- FGBNMS sponsored research cruises: Several times a year, the sanctuary contracts with charter operators, and opens up participation to researchers with ongoing studies at the site, or who are comtemplating initiation of a project. Divers will be evaluated prior to permission to participate. All vessel costs are covered by the FGBNMS, other than personal purchases while on board.
- Research slots on recreational charters: An arrangement has been developed with a local charter operator, Gulf Diving, Inc., to provide access to the site for researchers who have been approved by FGBNMS. Slots are provided to the researchers, on an availability basis (i.e. not sold to a recreational diver) for a reduced price. Researchers are responsible for all costs.
- Sanctuary research vessel: The FGBNMS is currently constructing a research vessel that is expected to be operational in about 2 years. This vessel will be available for use by researchers conducting projects at the sanctuary. Shiptime will be available on a first come, first serve basis, and is coordinated and funded through the sanctuary office. Divers are required to hold a NOAA Diving certification or a certification with an agency that has reciprocity with NOAA Diving.
To make arrangements for any of these research slots, please contact
the Research Coordinator.
Obtaining a Research Permit
