INTRODUCTION
So, now you can’t wait to get there. GREAT! Here are a few things you should know before you go and some helpful links to make your trip run as smoothly as possible.
Find Your Park Fact Sheet (543kb pdf) from Recreation.gov
BEFORE YOU GO
Download the Voluntary Vessel Trip Report Form. We encourage you to complete this form after your visit to the sanctuary so that we can learn more about how the sanctuary is being used and how often it is being visited. You can download this form now and take it with you, or click on the Trip Reports button on our home page to access the form when you return. The form may be mailed, faxed, or submitted by email.
Weather and sea surface conditions can be unpredictable at the Flower Garden Banks so make sure you have the most up to date weather information before you leave shore. High seas and strong currents can make for very challenging dive conditions,
not to mention queasy stomachs. For these
reasons, the Flower Garden Banks may not be the best place for beginning divers.
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GETTING TO THE BANKS
There is only one way to get out to the Flower Garden Banks sanctuary...by boat.
There are several commercial dive and fishing charter operators that take people out to the sanctuary and surrounding oil and gas platforms.
A charter dive vessel moored in the sanctuary.
However, if you choose to head out on a private boat, you’ll need to be aware of the sanctuary boundaries,
mooring buoy coordinates,
sanctuary regulations and
reef etiquette. It would also be wise to take a nautical chart of the area (see below).
Image of NOAA Nautical Chart 11340 includes parts of the Texas and Louisiana coastlines and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (177kb jpg)
View NOAA Chart 11340 in NOAA's Online Chart Catalog
Download PDF of NOAA Chart 11340
Download PDF of NOAA Booklet Chart 11340
- a reduced scale NOAA nautical chart for small boaters
Fishing enthusiasts should also be aware of Federal fishing regulations in the Gulf of Mexico.
Recreational Fishing Regulations for Gulf of Mexico Federal Waters
Commercial Fishing Regulations for Gulf of Mexico Federal Waters
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FISHING CAUTION
On February 5, 2008 the FDA issued a letter of guidance regarding fish caught near the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The letter warns that the following species of concern may contain ciguatera toxin, which can be harmful to humans.
Click on map for a larger view
Within 10 miles of FGBNMS:
Marbled Grouper (Epinephelus inermis)
Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus)
Blackfin Snapper (Lutjanus buccanella)
Dog Snapper (Lutjanus jocu)
Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis)
Scamp Grouper (Mycteroperca phenax)
Yellowfin Grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa)
Within 50 miles of FGBNMS:
Yellow Jack (Caranx bartholomaei)
Horse-eye Jack (Caranx latus)
Black Jack (Caranx lugubris)
King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)
Amberjack (Seriola dumerili)
Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)
More information: Ciguatera Fish Poisoning
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AFTER YOUR RETURN
Hopefully, you had a great time and saw some awesome critters! Maybe you even took a few pictures or video shots.
Did you see something unusual in the sanctuary? Did you get a good photo of markings on the ventral (belly) side of a manta ray? Did you see what appeared to be coral disease or coral bleaching? Let us know.
On the other hand, did you see any inappropriate behavior on the part of other sanctuary visitors? That information is important to us too.
We encourage you to share your observations with us. The more eyes and minds we have tracking conditions in the sanctuary, the more effectively we can manage and protect this national treasure. Photo documentation of your observations is especially helpful!
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