Deep-sea coral ecosystems are extremely productive areas, acting as hotspots for biodiversity and providing habitat for various fish and invertebrate species. Like their shallow-water counterparts, however, they are also affected by human activities. Therefore, the need and concern for management has increased in recent years.
The South Atlantic may have the most extensive deep-coral areas in the United States; however, these large regions remain poorly explored due to the difficulties in studying areas that are so deep, rugged, and in extreme currents. In 2010, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council designated five areas as deep-sea coral Habitat Area of Particular Concerns—or HAPCs— covering roughly 60,000 square kilometers between North Carolina and the Florida Keys.
The primary impact to deep-sea coral ecosystems is interaction with bottom-tending fishing gear. Within this HAPC, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council established several allowable fishing areas for golden crab, royal red shrimp, and wreckfish which constitute the primary fisheries. Data from this project will be a primary contributor to the Trans-Atlantic Coral Ecosystem Study.
This study is an international deep-sea coral initiative with three primary goals:
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Conservation of Atlantic deep coral ecosystems.
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Determining connectivity of deep coral ecosystems across the Atlantic Ocean.
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Establishing shared and standardized research methodologies and products among regions.
Research Objectives
Our research objectives for the South Atlantic Deep-Sea Coral HAPC include:
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Mapping and characterization of deep-sea corals: locate deep coral ecosystems through bathymetric and acoustic backscatter mapping. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will utilize these maps to locate areas of high coral abundance warranting protection and to refine the boundaries of the allowable fishing areas within the HAPC.
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Ecological research on the relationship between habitats & managed fisheries species using a remotely operated vehicle and/or a manned submersible. Data and samples from these gear types will provide extensive information on:
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Fauna which constitute deep-sea coral ecosystems.
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How these species utilize the corals and other habitat types.
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Genetic and isotopic work, which can offer information on the connectivity of shallow and deep ecosystems and trophodynamics.
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Biological research on corals: growth and reproduction studies on coral collections.
More Information
NOAA Teacher at Sea Maronda Hastie sailed aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II. Since 1995 the bottom longline survey has been conducted on the Oregon II for shark and bony fish research. Credit: NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
Oceanic whitetip shark. Hawaiʻi longline fishermen use leaders to connect weighed branch lines and baited hooks. A new rule prohibits steel wire leaders in the Hawaiʻi deep-set longline fishery, starting May 31, 2022. The rule aims to increase the survival of hooked oceanic whitetip sharks caught as bycatch in the Pacific Islands region. Credit: Andy Mann
Right whale #3853 swimming north offshore of South Carolina on Jan. 20, 2011 with a series of fresh propeller wounds running across its back. The whale was observed 5 days previously offshore of Georgia without propeller wounds. It is unknown whether the whale survived its wounds or not, as it has not been re-sighted since. Vessel collisions are a leading cause of right whale mortality. Credit: EcoHealth Alliance (NOAA permit #594-1759).
North Atlantic right whale Catalog #3560 ‘Snow Cone’ sighted December 2, 2021 entangled and with a new calf. Photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission taken under NOAA permit 20556.