On January 7, 2009, rapid responders removed the first reported invasive lionfish from the waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary within 24 hours of notification. This marks the first arrival of lionfish into the Florida Keys since their establishment in U.S. waters in 2000. Learn more.
In a new study, NOS scientists found that spiny lobster trap parts are the most common form of marine debris in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Surprisingly, the most heavily fished areas were not always the areas with the most trap debris. Learn more.
Read about the end–users of a new testing method developed by National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science researchers for detecting and measuring domoic acid. The new test kits are saving Pacific Northwest coastal communities and fishers effort and, most importantly, valuable time in assuring the safety and vitality of a coastal resource they depend on, both for food and for tourism income. Learn more.
Join the scientists and crew aboard the NOAA Ship NANCY FOSTER as they publish daily updates to their research cruise of the Dry Tortugas, off of Key West, Florida. Divers will revisit 20 permanent sites within and outside of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve and conduct fish surveys both on the coral reef edges and out onto the bordering sand. These sites were originally established in 2000, when the Tortugas Reserve was implemented by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and have been revisited every year from 2001–2005 and 2007.
2005 | 2007 | 2008
Hydrodynamic factors profoundly impact the environment of coastal areas. Wind waves, particularly waves associated with storms, are unpredictable and can pose dangerous situations under which to collect scientifically empirical, comparative information. Unfortunately, there are few simple–to–use, inexpensive tools that can provide a quantitative value of wave exposure. Such a tool is needed by resource managers who need to estimate wave energy in coastal regions or in inland waters to gauge susceptibility of developed areas. This tool is also needed by scientists who desire a quantitative measure of wave effects to relate to ecosystem function. Learn more.
Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Mercury Science Inc. of Durham, N.C., are testing a new method to rapidly detect and accurately measure domoic acid, a harmful marine algal toxin that can cause serious illness and death in humans and marine mammals. Learn more.
Carolyn’s scientific research has focused on the structure and function of estuarine intertidal habitats, analysis of food webs supporting fish production in estuarine and coastal ecosystems, and restoration of salt marsh habitats. Here, as part of an interview series with NCCOS employees, she discusses some of her innovative work along North Carolina’s storied coastline. Learn more.
Our primary goal is to assess habitat conditions that influence biodiversity and distribution of soft bottom benthic invertebrate communities in Kachemak Bay. Scientists will characterize benthic community distribution and condition, sediment contaminant concentrations, and toxicity. The Bay will be sub–divided into different regions from which samples will be collected. Our team hopes that results of this study will contribute to a broader understanding of the marine ecosystems off Alaska, and will support effective management and sustainable use of marine resources. Learn more.
NOAA researchers reported that non–native lionfish populations will continue to grow and cannot be eliminated practically using conventional methods. Learn more.