DEEP WATER CORAL RESEARCH and MANAGEMENT OFF the SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES Steve W
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.
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