DEEP WATER CORAL RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT OFF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES Steve W. Ross1, Doug Rader2, and Roger Pugliese3 1 University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Center for Marine Science, 5600 Marvin Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA. Currently Assigned to US Geological Survey, Florida Integrated Science Center. 2 Environmental Defense, 2500 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 330, Raleigh, NC, 27607 ,USA. 3 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, One Southpark Circle, Charleston, SC, 29407-4699, USA. Our research team is diverse, representing several agencies and Our current study areas for deep water corals range from off Cape disciplines. Major areas of research focus for our team are outlined Lookout, NC through the Blake Plateau to east-central Florida, and we below, indicating lead scientists. The overall research effort is lead by have two major deep coral study areas in the central Gulf of Mexico. S.W. Ross and K.J. Sulak (USGS).

PROJECT OBJECTIVES METHODS • 6 summer cruises: 2000-2004, 24 hr sampling • Characterize coral bank fish & invertebrate communities (basic biology, habitat associations, • Shipboard bathymetric surveys for GIS maps relative abundance, community structure) • Benthic sampling methods • Discover, characterize & map coral banks •JSL submersible- transects • Trophodynamics of coral bank fishes on & off reefs, basic water • Aging of corals, paleoclimatology (w/M. Risk) quality, suction sampler, still • Coral & community genetics (w/C. Morrison et & video cameras, traps al.) • Trawls- off reef, small mesh, 5m trawl, 30 min tows • Classify habitat affinity for deep coral fishes GULF OF MEXICO • Sample full water column (mesopelagics, open • Specimens photographed, water, Sargassum) preserved, biological data taken, stable isotope samples

Fish & Macroinvertebrate Community Structure (S.W. Ross, K.J. Sulak, M.S. Nizinski): We continue to collect data, but analyses to date suggest that the SEUS coral habitats support a diverse and unique faunal assemblage. We have identified over 70 benthic fish with about 11 species dominating the prime coral habitat. These deep reefs appear to function in ways similar to shallow reefs. Many of the fishes seem to be tied to the coral habitat while the invertebrates may use it more opportunistically. The density of invertebrate usage of these corals is quite high.

Rochina crassa

Dense aggregations of mesopelagic fishes often occur on the bottom Dactylobatus armatus near the coral banks. They Echinoderms – Sea Stars and Galatheids (Squat Lobsters) Brittle Stars picta may be an important conduit of energy through West Indies; Gulf of Mexico; the water column. Bahamas; 366 to 622 m

Ophiacantha bidentata Arctic, south to Cape Hatteras 10 to 4500 m Massachusetts-Florida; N. Coast of Cuba; N. Dominant component of Gulf of Mexico 200-600m faunal assemblage Dominant component of Lophelia faunal (S.W. Ross et al.) assemblage (present study)

Coral & Community Genetics (C. Morrison, T. King): Our objectives are to: Diaphus dumerilii and Polyipnus clarus characterize the population genetic structure of Lophelia and compare it to other regions, at base of coral SUMMARY compare genotypes to various growth forms, compare these genetics with other corals and mound- 417 m associated invertebrates, and examine the taxonomic framework of SEUS corals. To • The three NC banks are the northernmost known on the address these, corals are being collected and analyzed from North Carolina through the Atlantic Coast until reaching Canada. Gulf of Mexico. Results will have implications for design of potential Marine Protected Areas as well as for basic coral and community biology. Coral Aging & Paleoenvironment Records (M. Risk, B. Williams): Our • NC banks are similar (structure & fauna) to each other, but objectives are to: age living Lophelia colonies and dead Lophelia rubble from differ from those on the Blake Plateau, especially in habitat Education & Outreach (E. Baird): Each of our cruises has had strong education several sites, obtain long term proxy temperature records from Lophelia and structure & invertebrate community. components managed through our partner, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. We take a selected soft and horny corals, obtain long term proxy productivity records from public school teacher on each cruise. We provide an internet site with classroom activities black corals, measure Lophelia growth, and investigate the causes of differing • Fish community seems tightly coupled to this habitat, the for public schools and information for the public. After the cruises, there are numerous Lophelia growth forms. To date we are still collecting samples from the area invertebrates less so. presentations to a variety of audiences about our deep coral research. On most missions we and are just beginning laboratory analyses. We have some intriguing sponsor a one day visit by the media and other VIPs to the research vessel to observe at sea preliminary results from a black coral suggesting an increasing trend of • Deep coral habitat may far exceed shallow coral operations. productivity and terrestrial nitrogen input to the deep sea over the last century. systems in overall area.

Management of Deep Sea Corals off the Southeastern United States

The foundation for protection of coral habitat, including deep water forms, in this region was established in a Fishery Management Plan (FMP) mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This document summarized biological and other data on all corals in the Southeastern US, including the Gulf of Mexico. The Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC), the only deep coral protected area within the SEUS, was first described here, but no other deep coral areas were so designated. Designation of Oculina as an HAPC was final in 1984 and prohibited use of bottom disturbing gear. At the same time optimum harvest of stony corals and sea fans throughout the area was set at zero (except for education and research). These regulations were refined and expanded in a series of Amendments to the FMP through 1998. Further protection of the Oculina area came in 1994, with a total fishing ban within the HAPC for 10 years (recently extended). No corals in the area are listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. No other Lophelia or other deep coral habitats are protected as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC). If such reefs prove to be important habitat with a unique fauna (as they seem to be), they should be candidates for protection as are the Oculina coral reefs. There are a variety of potential threats to the deep coral bottoms. MPAs or HAPCs may be viable options for protecting these systems, but considerable data, Oculina HAPC especially detailed maps, are critical for evaluating how and whether to protect deep coral habitat. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is currently evaluating management strategies for SEUS deep corals. Considering the needs of the Council to evaluate and manage deep water habitats in a timely manner, Launching the Johnson-Sea-Link submersible S.W. Ross and J.K. Reed provided brief descriptions of SEUS deep coral banks as interim tools facilitating potential management options for fragile, productive deep water habitats. Based on their input, six large areas were recommended as HAPCs (panel on left) and are being included in the area FMP and Ecosystem Plan. The US Congress is considering a draft of legislation to protect US deep water corals. This bill has not yet been introduced for formal debate or voting. The NOAA Ecosystem Assessment Division is currently preparing regional status assessments of deep water corals within the US Exclusive Economic Zone. This report will be finalized during summer 2005 for distribution at the Third International Symposium on Deep Sea Corals.