The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released The State of Deep Coral Ecosystems of the United States, providing new insight into the complex and biologically rich habitats found in deeper waters off the U.S. and elsewhere around the world.

Called for in the President’s Ocean Action Plan, this peer-reviewed report contains an up-to-date assessment of deep coral ecosystems in U.S. waters. Each regional chapter was written by experts in the field of deep coral research. The report illustrates that deep corals, also known as “deep sea” or “cold-water” corals, are likely much more extensive and important to ocean ecosystems than previously known. Researchers have discovered multicolored sea fan corals in canyons and on seamounts in the Northeast Atlantic, complex reef-like stony coral structures on the continental shelf and slope in the Southeast U.S. and Gulf of Mexico, exceptionally rich coral gardens in the Aleutian Islands, and precious corals providing foraging habitat for endangered monk seals in Hawaii.

The report discusses the vulnerability of deep corals to human activities and identifies the current threats to these habitats. This new understanding has prompted increased calls for protection of deep coral habitats in the U.S. and around the world. The report documents recent management actions by NOAA and the Regional Fishery Management Councils to protect over one half million square miles of the seafloor in the Pacific, including unique deep coral habitats, from damage by bottom-trawling.

There are many areas in U.S. waters that appear likely to harbor deep coral habitats but have not been surveyed. Effective conservation efforts will require additional mapping and research to identify the locations of deep coral habitats and better understand these unique resources.The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-479) calls on NOAA to develop a Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program, and provides new authorities to facilitate management efforts.

A full color copy of the report, and the many stunning photographs it includes, is available for download Deep Coral Report 2007 (PDF) (30 MB).

Request a printed copy or CD of the report by contacting: John.Foulks@noaa.gov

Citation for the report :
Lumsden SE, Hourigan TF, Bruckner AW, Dorr G (eds.) 2007. The State of Deep Coral Ecosystems of the United States. NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP-3. Silver Spring MD. 365pp.