|
Shelf-Edge Habitats in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico—Multi-Agency, Interdisciplinary Field Work
 |
Above: A chevron fish trap, baited with squid,
is brought on board the R/V Oregon II during Leg II of the recent cruise to the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The trap
contains several large grouper that will be weighed, measured, aged, and checked for sexual maturity and
spawning condition.
Below: Biologists study sidescan-sonar mosaics
of shelf-edge habitats, collected and processed during Leg I, to select sites for video camera and fish-trap deployments. From
left to right, Doug DeVries (NMFS), Kim Davis (Center for Marine Conservation), and Felicia Coleman (FSU).
 |
Shelf-edge reef habitats in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico are very important as spawning sites for commercially
valuable fish (such as grouper and snapper), but little is known about the geology and ecology of these habitats. In
1999, the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council recommended the closure of two areas, each approximately
100 mi2, to all fishing for a period of four years, to allow study of the shelf-edge
habitats and their inhabitants. Kathy
Scanlon and cooperating scientists from NOAA/NMFS and Florida State University (FSU) led two back-to-back cruises in
February and March 2000 on the NOAA ship R/V Oregon II to begin the task of mapping the habitats and understanding
the links between seafloor geology and the biology.
Leg I was devoted to sidescan data collection, with Chuck Worley (on his maiden voyage with the USGS), Dave
Nichols, Ken Parolski, VeeAnn Cross, Ann Swift, Kathy Scanlon (chief scientist) from the WHFC, and Mark Grace
(NMFS, Pascagoula, MS) participating. About three-quarters of the areas of both new reserves were covered and
mosaicked at sea. The mosaics were used on Leg II to select sampling sites. In addition to characterizing the benthic
habitats, the data revealed several relict Pleistocene shoreline features that will be used to study sea-level history.
Leg II was an inter-disciplinary, multi-agency feat, with every minute used to accomplish several related but
separate goals. Kathy Scanlon and Christopher C. Koenig (FSU) were co-chief scientists. Also participating were
seven fisheries biologists from NMFS, along with Felicia Coleman from FSU, Kim Davis from the Center for Marine
Conservation, and Peter Briere (USGS). Biological samples were collected using baited fish traps and hook-and-line
fishing. Sediment samples were collected with a van Veen grab sampler during the night hours when many fish were
sleeping. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was used to make videotaped observations of the fish and the
seafloor habitats during the day. These data, in conjunction with additional data to be collected on future cruises,
will be used to classify and map seafloor habitats.
|
 |
June 2000
in this issue:
Puerto Rico OBS Study
Gulf of Mexico Shelf-Edge Habitats
Channel Islands
cover story:
Barataria Barrier-Shoreline Study
Menlo Park Open House
Dress for Success
Nat'l Weather Service Open House
Marine Quest
Basin Symposium
Coastal Morphodynamics
New England Coastal Issues
Coral Reef Studies
South Florida Restoration
Florida Keys Field Course
Visitors
June Publications List
|
U. S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
previous story