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Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2020 Report to Congress

April 29, 2021

The report highlights the impressive discoveries, science-informed management decisions, benefits of collaborative partnerships, and more.

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NOAA’s Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program 2020 Report to Congress (PDF, 8.25MB) summarizes exciting activities from 2018 and 2019 that improved our understanding of deep-sea coral communities, supported management decisions, and leveraged joint priorities with different partners.

As a result of our research activities, NOAA and our partners:

  • Described 21 new deep-sea coral species
  • Discovered the most expansive area of deep-sea coral reefs known to date off the U.S. Southeast coast
  • Mapped 55,000 square miles of previously poorly understood seafloor in high resolution

For more information about the Program’s outreach and education efforts, updates to the National Database for Deep-Sea Corals and Sponges, and detailed maps of deep-sea coral and sponge locations and their protections, see the 2020 Report to Congress’ online appendices (PDF, 2.89MB).

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An alfonsino swims above coral mounds off the east coast of Florida.
An alfonsino swims above coral mounds off the east coast of Florida. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.

 

Last updated by Office of Habitat Conservation on 04/29/2021