Press Kit

Pisces Comes Home-- Chief Scientist Summary:

The Southeast Deep-Sea Coral Research and Technology Program (SEDSCRTP) recently completed a twelve day expedition aboard the NOAA Ship Pisces.  This research cruise was completed between 31 May and 11 June 2011 and focused on deep reefs off the east coast of Florida, between Jacksonville and Miami.  Two ROVs owned and operated by the SWFSC Laboratory in La Jolla, CA were employed.  Other collaborators included the NMFS Laboratory in Panama City, FL, the NCCOS Laboratory in Charleston, SC, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Florida State University, and Nova Southeastern University. In addition to 10 ROV dives during which video (standard and high definition), high resolution digital still imagery and physical collections of coral and invertebrates were completed, numerous benthic grab collections were made to determine infaunal community structure and sediment contaminant levels.  Additionally all dive sites were mapped with a high resolution multibeam acoustic system and several mid-water fishery acoustic surveys were conducted during crepuscular vertical migration periods.  Dr. John Butler (SWFSC) led the ROV operation while John Reed (Harbor Branch) was the lead scientist during the dives.  Dr. Jeff Hyland (NCCOS) led the benthic gab component while his colleague from Charleston, Laura Kracker (NCCSO), conducted the fishery and mapping acoustic surveys.  Andrew David (SEFSC) was the chief scientist for the mission.  Dives were made off Jacksonville, FL at the shallowest known Lophelia pertusa reef on the US east coast, the North Florida Deepwater MPA, the Oculina HAPC, ~25 unexplored Oculina mounds north of the OHAPC, an Allowable Crab Fishing Corridor on the Miami Terrace and a potential wreckfish spawning area on the Miami Terrace. Several restoration experiments deployed in the OHAPC in the late 1990s were surveyed for the first time in a decade and many colonies of deep sea coral were seen growing on these modules.  The SEDSCRTP was happy to include a Teacher-at-Sea on the cruise.  Our educator, Sue Zupko of Huntsville, AL, conducted several live interactive video teleconferences with schools in Alabama and North Carolina during the ROV dives and maintained a blog detailing all phases of the mission.

Andy David, NOAA Fisheries-Panama City Lab, andy.david@noaa.gov 

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