RESEARCH
![Two-toned blue subheading underline](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/template_graphics/sub/sub_bar.gif)
Research at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) falls into two categories:
- Sanctuary Implemented Research - projects initiated and implemented primarily by the sanctuary's research team.
- Sanctuary Facilitated Research - projects facilitated by the sanctuary's research team, but initiated and implemented primarily by other researchers.
![Small fish with red lips peeking out of the opening in a sponge.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/fish/redlipblennygpsmd.jpg)
A red-lipped blenny peeks out of a sponge.
We also maintain a Research Opportunities email list to share information relating to marine and environmental research.
Sanctuary staff conduct research both inside and outside sanctuary boundaries to address management issues.
![Six small fish swim around rocky habitat](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/fish/roughtonguebassnurcmd.jpg)
Several rough-tongue bass gather in deepwater habitat.
Since 2001 we've been actively exploring the deepest parts of the sanctuary with the goal of defining habitat zones and developing detailed habitat maps. Outside of sanctuary boundaries, we have been mapping, ground-truthing, and describing the biology and habitats of other reefs and banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. For a more detailed description of this process, please visit our Habitat Characterization page.
![Bright orange branches of coral with small white polyps](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/deephabitat/swiftiapolypsnurcmd.jpg)
A deepwater octocoral (Swiftia species) encountered during sanctuary explorations.
This effort has also led to the development of a GIS-based mapping tool that is readily accessible from our home page using the
button.
![White anemone tentacles with bright pink tips.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/inverts/giantanemonenurcmd.jpg)
A giant anemone as seen by an ROV.
Much of this information was referenced during the sanctuary's management plan review process, which resulted in the new 2012 Management Plan. In fact, one of the proposed actions in the revised plan is to consider incorporating some of the other regional reefs and banks into the sanctuary to offer them added regulatory protection.
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary provides an opportunity to research questions in a relatively healthy reef system, and may also serve as a comparison site for many types of investigations. For these reasons, we strongly encourage researchers to conduct studies in the sanctuary.
![A large fish hovers with its mouth open while much smaller fish clean its face and mouth.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/fish/tigergrouperelhmd.jpg)
A tiger grouper (Mycteroperca tigris) enjoys a cleaning by neon gobies (Gobiosoma oceanops).
If you are a graduate student or principal investigator (PI) interested in conducting research in the sanctuary, you should contact the Research Coordinator directly to discuss your research ideas prior to launching a project. We will do our best to help you realize your goals while adhering to sanctuary regulations and policies.
![The eye of a stingray peeking out from under a layer of sand](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/elasmobranchs/buriedrayelhmd.jpg)
A southern stingray (Dasyatis americana) hides under
a layer of sand.
You may wish to check out the current list of research projects to identify potential
areas of collaboration with other researchers and to avoid duplication
of effort.
Access to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary as a research site often proves to be challenging. The distance from shore and environmental conditions often cause research cruises to be postponed.
![A close up look at the shell and spines of a sea urchin. A flourescent star pattern is visible in the center.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/inverts/diademacloseupelhmd.jpg)
A close up view of a long-spined sea urchin (Diadema species).
Because of this, we do our best to facilitate access to the reefs. This is accomplished in several different ways.
- Research slots on recreational charters: Gulf Diving, Inc., a local charter operator, has agreed to provide access to the site for researchers who have been approved by the sanctuary. Slots are provided to the researchers, as available (i.e. not sold to a recreational diver), for a reduced price. Researchers are responsible for all costs.
- Sanctuary research vessel: The sanctuary maintains and operates a research vessel, the R/V MANTA. This vessel may be available for use by researchers conducting projects at the sanctuary.
- If a project requires dedicated ship time, the R/V MANTA can be provided for a day rate covering crew, fuel and food.
- Ship time aboard sanctuary scheduled cruises will be available as space allows, on a first come, first serve basis. This is coordinated and funded through the sanctuary office. Divers are required to hold a NOAA Diving certification or a certification with an agency that has reciprocity with NOAA Diving.
To make arrangements for any of these research slots, please contact
the Research Coordinator.
Most research activities will require a Research Permit, which must also be submitted to the Research Coordinator for processing.
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Research Opportunities Email List
The Research Opportunities email list is designed to share information relating to marine and environmental research and volunteer opportunities for funding, conferences, and employment.
You may not post directly to the Research Opportunities list but may email the moderator with announcements for consideration and possible posting. (Privacy Policy)
To sign up for this list or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information below.
For More Information
If you need more information regarding this Research email list, please contact the list administrator.
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20 THINGS WE'VE LEARNED
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/template_graphics/sub/sub_bar.gif)
As part of our 20th anniversary celebration, we've compiled a list of 20 Things We've Learned About Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (99MB pdf). This is available as a downloadable series of six color posters that identify some of the science highlights of the past 20 years, in a format you can print out and enjoy.
We hope you'll be intrigued by what we've learned!
![First poster page from the 20 Things We've Learned document](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/misc/20thingslearned1md.jpg)
![Second poster page from the 20 Things We've Learned document](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/misc/20thingslearned2md.jpg)
![Third poster page from the 20 Things We've Learned document](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/misc/20thingslearned3md.jpg)
![Fourth poster page from the 20 Things We've Learned document](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/misc/20thingslearned4md.jpg)
![Fifth poster page from the 20 Things We've Learned document](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/misc/20thingslearned5md.jpg)
![Sixth poster page from the 20 Things We've Learned document](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014035im_/https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/image_library/misc/20thingslearned6md.jpg)
Click on an image to see a larger view