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NGOMEX Scientists Advance Understanding of the Impacts Associated with the Seasonal "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.
Released: November 16, 2005
Northern Gulf of Mexico ( NGOMEX) researchers have determined that the seasonal hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico ("dead zone") has negatively impacted the health and size of brown shrimp; the Gulf's highest-valued commercial species. Although shrimp can escape low oxygen waters, their movement away from the hypoxic zone may come at a price. PI's Kevin Craig and Larry Crowder found that shrimp avoidance of the hypoxic zone causes them to aggregate on the periphery of the zone, where temperatures are suboptimal for growth. They estimated that the hypoxic zone has resulted in a 25% habitat loss for shrimp, a 5-20% decrease in shrimp growth rate, lower lipid levels and energy content, and smaller body size. These findings represent an important contribution to understanding the impacts of the hypoxic zone on a vital natural resource of the Gulf of Mexico. For more information, please contact Alan Lewitus at Alan.Lewitus@noaa.gov or 301-713-3338 ext. 178.