Project Summary for 2005–04–07:
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) encompasses three separate topographical highs covering approximately 43 square nautical miles, about 107 miles south of the Texas/Louisiana border in the Gulf of Mexico. The FGBNMS contains the northernmost coral reef ecosystem in the continental United States. The coral reef caps of the two Flower Garden Banks, and the upper portion (above approximately 100 ft) of Stetson Bank have been well surveyed for the occurrence of reef fish. Deeper portions of these banks were surveyed by ROV during FGNMS0EFH02001–1 cruise and NOAA cruise FE–01–09–FG. These ROV surveys will continue to document the presence of potential Essential Fish Habitat in deeper areas of the sanctuary.
Research products generated during the proposed fieldwork will include a plan view photo–mosaic and a wealth of video and photographic imagery. This documentation will be used in educational and outreach opportunities, as well as part of formal presentations at professional archaeological conferences. This baseline information is essential for creating a sound management plan for the site, as well as gaining a better archaeological understanding of the shipwreck.
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