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 ABOUT GRAY'S REEFNaming of Gray's Reef
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| Gray's Reef is one of the largest near shore live-bottom reefs of the southeastern United States. The sanctuary is located 32 kilometers (17.5 nautical miles) off Sapelo Island, Georgia and encompasses 58 square kilometers (17 sq. nautical miles) of live-bottom habitat. Coastal map location of Gray's Reef (83K) |
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Gray's Reef is a popular recreational fishing and sport diving destinations along the Georgia coast. Sport fishing occurs year-round but at different levels of intensity. Commercial fishing is restricted, as are military, mineral extraction, and ocean dumping activities. Little commercial shipping occurs at Gray's Reef. While the site has supported a variety of studies it currently supports reef fish and invertebrate programs. A resource characterization is in progress. |
RegulationsRegulations prohibit alteration of the seabed; use of wire fish traps, bottom trawls, and explosives; damage to or removal of bottom formations and other natural or cultural resources; and discharge of substances or materials. Gray's Reef enforces these regulations to promote compatible resource use through interagency agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Marine Fisheries Enforcement Division. For more information look at the program Boundaries, Regulations, and Permitting procedures. |
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Gray's Reef is a consolidation of marine and terrestrial sediments (sand, shell, and mud) which was laid down as loose aggregate between 6 and 2 million years ago. Some of these sediments were probably brought down by coastal rivers draining into the Atlantic and others were brought in by currents from other areas. More of these sediments accumulated until a dramatic change began to take place on Earth during the Pleistocene Epoch, between 2 million and 8,000 years ago. It was during this time that the area which is now Gray's Reef was exposed land and the shoreline was as much as 80 miles east of its present location. As a result of this exposure, the sediments there became solidified into porous limestone sandstone rock. As the glacial ice melted, the water flowed back towards the sea, filling the basins back to their original levels. Gray's Reef Name
Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary was named in recognition of Milton "Sam" Gray, who studied the area in the 1960's as a biological collector and curator at the University of Georgia Marine Institute on Sapelo Island, GA. The near-shore hard-bottom reef off the coast of Sapelo Island was recognized by Sam Gray in 1961 in connection with his extensive biological surveys of the ocean floor off the Georgia coast. Collections made during the surveys are under the protective supervision of the University of Georgia Natural History Museum and maintained as the "Gray's Reef Collection." In 1974, Jesse Hunt, a graduate student working under Jim Henry was the first scientist to study the reef. He proposed the name"Gray's Reef" for this live-bottom habitat to commemorate Sam's valuable contribution to the understanding of offshore habitats and marine organisms, especially those of the near-shore continental shelf of Georgia. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources submitted a nomination to the Secretary of Commerce in June 1978 recommending the designation of Gray's Reef as a marine sanctuary. More about Milton "Sam" Gray
Gray's Reef is a submerged hard bottom (limestone) area that, as compared to surrounding areas, contains extensive but discontinuous rock outcropping of moderate ( 6 to 10 feet) height with sandy, flat-bottomed troughs between. The series of rock ledges and sand expanses has produced a complex habitat of caves, burrows, troughs, and overhangs that provide a solid base for the abundant sessile invertebrates to attach and grow. This rocky platform with its carpet of attached organisms is known locally as a "live bottom habitat". This topography supports an unusual assemblage of temperate and tropical marine flora and fauna. Algae and invertebrates grow on the exposed rock surfaces: dominant invertebrates include sponges, barnacles, sea fans, hard coral, sea stars, crabs, lobsters, snails, and shrimp. The reef attracts numerous species of benthic and pelagic fish, including black sea bass, snapper, grouper, and mackerel. Since Gray's Reef lies in a transition area between temperate and tropical waters, reef fish population composition changes seasonally. Loggerhead sea turtles, a threatened species, use Gray's Reef year-round for foraging and resting and the reef is part of the only known winter calving ground for the highly endangered northern right whale. Fossil bivalves and gastropods , and mastodon bones located in this area indicate that the reef was once a shallow coastal environment and an exposed land form as recently as 10,000 years BP. As a terrestrial environment there may exist at Gray's Reef extant prehistoric cultural resources.
Gray's Reef was made an Active Candidate in 1979. Final designation as a National Marine Sanctuary came in January 1981. The Sanctuary was named in recognition of Milton B. Gray, who studied the area in the 1960's as a biological collector and curator at the University of Georgia Marine Institute on Sapelo Island, GA.
A Superintendent, Marine Operations Manager, Research Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Stewardship Coordinator, Outreach Coordinator, IT Coordinator and Webmaster are responsible for the daily operations of the sanctuary.
George R. Sedberry, Sanctuary Superintendent
912-598-2439 or George.Sedberry@noaa.gov
Sarah Fangman, Southeast Region / Associate Science Coordinator
912-598-2428 or Sarah.Fangman@noaa.gov
Gail Krueger, Outreach Coordinator
912-598-2397 or Gail.Krueger@noaa.gov
Greg McFall, Research Coordinator & Line Office Dive Officer for National Ocean Service
912-598-2416 or Greg.McFall@noaa.gov
ENS Chad M. Meckley, NOAA Corps / Vessel Operations Coordinator
912-598-2432 or Chad.Meckley@noaa.gov
Debbie Meeks, IT Coordinator / Webmaster
912-598-2434 or Debra.Meeks@noaa.gov
Captain Todd Recicar, Marine Operations Manager
912-598-2383 or Todd.Recicar@noaa.gov
Cathy Sakas, Education Coordinator
912-598-2417 or Cathy.Sakas@noaa.gov
Becky Shortland, Stewardship Coordinator
912-598-2381 or Becky.Shortland@noaa.gov