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Priority Landscapes: RESTORE--Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act

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By Land Management Research Program September 22, 2022

USGS scientists in the Gulf of Mexico region conduct research that investigate the past, present and future trajectories of coastal ecosystems, the stressors that impact those ecosystems, and restoration and management alternatives that aim to recover and sustain ecosystem functions and services. Our researchers are engaged in restoration programs across the Gulf, including those spurred after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. One of those programs is the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act). The RESTORE Act was signed into law by President Obama on July 6, 2012 and calls for a regional approach to restoring the long-term health of the valuable natural ecosystem and economy of the Gulf Coast region. The RESTORE Council has awarded grants to USGS for several projects that will support the Council in making science-based decisions and evaluating restoration effectiveness. Our scientists also provide expertise to other Deepwater Horizon restoration programs including the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

RESTORE Act Research

link
Fundamental Monitoring Elements

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Monitoring and Assessment Program Development

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and USGS will jointly lead the development of foundational components for Gulf region-wide monitoring.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Monitoring and Assessment Program Development

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and USGS will jointly lead the development of foundational components for Gulf region-wide monitoring.
Learn More
link
Coastal wetlands near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Natural Resource Damage and Assessment (NRDA) Program Monitoring and Adaptive Management

State and Federal agencies are working together to assess the damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and to determine appropriate restoration actions to restore natural resources, ecological services, and recreational services injured or lost due to the incident.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Natural Resource Damage and Assessment (NRDA) Program Monitoring and Adaptive Management

State and Federal agencies are working together to assess the damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and to determine appropriate restoration actions to restore natural resources, ecological services, and recreational services injured or lost due to the incident.
Learn More
link
A nesting loggerhead carrying a satellite tag on the St. Joseph Peninsula, FL

Sea Turtle Movement and Habitat Use in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) uses trawling to capture and relocate live sea turtles away from dredging locations to minimize the risk of turtle entrainment. These incidental turtle captures provide a unique opportunity to fill critical data gaps for difficult to capture life-stages of marine turtles.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Sea Turtle Movement and Habitat Use in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) uses trawling to capture and relocate live sea turtles away from dredging locations to minimize the risk of turtle entrainment. These incidental turtle captures provide a unique opportunity to fill critical data gaps for difficult to capture life-stages of marine turtles.
Learn More
link
Figure 1. The Conservation Blueprint. Source: South Atlantic LCC

Past and Future Modeling of Ecological Indicators for the South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative

The South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) has developed a Conservation Blueprint: a “living spatial plan to conserve natural and cultural resources for future generations.” This blueprint is a data-driven plan based on terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and cross-ecosystem indicators to measure the overall health of South Atlantic ecosystems.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

Past and Future Modeling of Ecological Indicators for the South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative

The South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) has developed a Conservation Blueprint: a “living spatial plan to conserve natural and cultural resources for future generations.” This blueprint is a data-driven plan based on terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and cross-ecosystem indicators to measure the overall health of South Atlantic ecosystems.
Learn More
link
Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment at Dauphin Island

Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment at Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island, Alabama, is the only barrier island providing protection to much of Alabama's coastal natural resources. Severely impacted by repeated extreme events, like Hurricane Katrina and Deepwater Horizon oil spill, USGS and partners are conducting a joint study to evaluate the feasibility of certain alternatives to increase resiliency and sustainability of the island.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Hurricanes
link

Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment at Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island, Alabama, is the only barrier island providing protection to much of Alabama's coastal natural resources. Severely impacted by repeated extreme events, like Hurricane Katrina and Deepwater Horizon oil spill, USGS and partners are conducting a joint study to evaluate the feasibility of certain alternatives to increase resiliency and sustainability of the island.
Learn More
link
GIS and Custom Application Support for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council

GIS and Custom Application Support for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council

The scientists at the Wetland and Aquatic Science Center (WARC) have provided coastal restoration project managers and decision makers with GIS planning, database and custom application capacity since 1992. The scope and complexity of this support has increased over the years and has resulted in the development of a comprehensive geospatial and advanced application teams that provide decision...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

GIS and Custom Application Support for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council

The scientists at the Wetland and Aquatic Science Center (WARC) have provided coastal restoration project managers and decision makers with GIS planning, database and custom application capacity since 1992. The scope and complexity of this support has increased over the years and has resulted in the development of a comprehensive geospatial and advanced application teams that provide decision...
Learn More
link
Diverse deep sea coral species

NRDA: Deepwater ROV Sampling to Assess Potential Impacts to Hardbottom Coral Communities and Associates from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

The MC252 oil spill introduced hydrocarbons, dispersants, and drilling muds into the Gulf of Mexico, potentially adversely affecting the seafloor environment surrounding the spill site.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Gulf of Mexico
link

NRDA: Deepwater ROV Sampling to Assess Potential Impacts to Hardbottom Coral Communities and Associates from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

The MC252 oil spill introduced hydrocarbons, dispersants, and drilling muds into the Gulf of Mexico, potentially adversely affecting the seafloor environment surrounding the spill site.
Learn More
link
Ecological Resilience Framework

RESTORE Science: Inventory of Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Indicators Using an Ecological Resilience Framework

To effectively manage an ecosystem, resource managers need a way to evaluate its health and ability to function. Metrics that indicate ecosystem condition - or indicators - can be used to help determine how well management strategies work.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

RESTORE Science: Inventory of Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Indicators Using an Ecological Resilience Framework

To effectively manage an ecosystem, resource managers need a way to evaluate its health and ability to function. Metrics that indicate ecosystem condition - or indicators - can be used to help determine how well management strategies work.
Learn More
link
Piping plover chicks on a beach

Monitoring Effects of Barrier Island Restoration on Piping Plovers in Louisiana

The federally threatened piping plover relies on sand-beach habitat year-round for nesting, foraging, and roosting, habitat that is particularly vulnerable to loss and degradation from coastal development, recreation activities, erosion, and sea-level rise.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico, Hurricanes
link

Monitoring Effects of Barrier Island Restoration on Piping Plovers in Louisiana

The federally threatened piping plover relies on sand-beach habitat year-round for nesting, foraging, and roosting, habitat that is particularly vulnerable to loss and degradation from coastal development, recreation activities, erosion, and sea-level rise.
Learn More

Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS RESTORE Act research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS RESTORE Act publications is available from the button below.

Complete Listing of Publications
Filter Total Items: 33

Brief oil exposure reduces fitness in wild Gulf of Mexico mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus)

The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster released 3.19 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) in 2010, overlapping the habitat of pelagic fish populations. Using mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus)─a highly migratory marine teleost present in the GOM during the spill─as a model species, laboratory experiments demonstrate injuries to physiology and behavior following oil exposure. Howev
Authors
Lela S. Schlenker, John D. Stieglitz, Justin Blaine Greer, Robin Faillettaz, Chi Hin Lam, Ronald H. Hoenig, Rachael M. Heuer, Charles J. McGuigan, Christina Pasparakis, Emma B. Esch, Gabrielle M. Ménard, Alexandra L. Jaroszewski, Claire B. Paris, Daniel Schlenk, Daniel D. Benetti, Martin Grosell
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP)

One shell of a problem: Cumulative threat analysis of male sea turtles indicates high anthropogenic threat for migratory individuals and Gulf of Mexico residents

Human use of oceans has dramatically increased in the 21st century. Sea turtles are vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors in the marine environment because of lengthy migrations between foraging and breeding sites, often along coastal migration corridors. Little is known about how movement and threat interact specifically for male sea turtles. To better understand male sea turtle movement and the
Authors
Micah Ashford, James I. Watling, Kristen Hart
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Temporal and spatial relationships of Yellowfin Tuna to deepwater petroleum platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico

In 2006–2007, 110 Yellowfin Tuna Thunnus albacares were tagged with acoustic transmitters near deepwater oil platforms and one drillship in the northern Gulf of Mexico off the Mississippi River delta to determine the extent to which platforms act as fish aggregating devices (FADs). Vemco acoustic receivers were installed on six deepwater platforms to detect the presence of tagged individuals. Five
Authors
Melissa E. Price, Michael T. Randall, Kenneth J. Sulak, Randy E. Edwards, Margaret Lamont
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Conservation action plan for diamond-backed terrapins in the Gulf of Mexico

Diamondback terrapins are small estuarine turtles that are vital to the health of salt marsh and mangrove habitats. Their populations have declined for over a century due to many factors including coastal development, nest predation, pet trade and drowning in crab traps. Without action, terrapin populations will continue to decline. This document summarizes the Nature Conservancy's efforts in coll
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Exploring CMAP products: Mapping

The RESTORE Council Monitoring and Assessment Program (CMAP), administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), spatially and temporally inventoried programs in the Gulf of Mexico focused on water quality and habitat monitoring and mapping.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Habitat monitoring: Exploring CMAP products

The RESTORE Council Monitoring and Assessment Program (CMAP), administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), spatially and temporally inventoried programs in the Gulf of Mexico focused on water quality and habitat monitoring and mapping.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Water quality monitoring: Exploring CMAP products

The RESTORE Council Monitoring and Assessment Program (CMAP), administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), spatially and temporally inventoried programs in the Gulf of Mexico focused on water quality and habitat monitoring and mapping.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

RESTORE Council Monitoring and Assessment Program

The RESTORE Council Monitoring and Assessment Program (CMAP), administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), spatially and temporally inventoried programs in the Gulf of Mexico focused on water quality and habitat monitoring and mapping.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Inter-nesting movements, migratory pathways, and resident foraging areas of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) satellite-tagged in Southwest Florida

Globally, sea turtle research and conservation efforts are underway to identify important high-use areas where these imperiled individuals may be resident for weeks to months to years. In the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, recent telemetry studies highlighted post-nesting foraging sites for federally endangered green turtles (Chelonia mydas) around the Florida Keys. In order to delineate additional
Authors
Kelly A Sloan, David S. Addison, Andrew T. Glinsky, Allison Benscoter, Kristen Hart
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) nesting exchange

The Northwest Atlantic population of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) is one of the largest C. caretta populations in the world and is listed as threatened. This population was divided into five genetically distinct subpopulations, including the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGoM) subpopulation (Shamblin et al. 2017 Mar. Bio. 164:138). Across the NGoM, the majority of C. caretta nesting occurs
Authors
Margaret Lamont, Jennifer S. Walker, Donna J. Shaver
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Capture vulnerability of sea turtles on recreational fishing piers

Capture vulnerability of commercial and recreational fishes has been associated with behavioral, morphological, and life-history traits; however, relationships with non-target species, such as sea turtles, have not been adequately studied. We examined species composition, timing of captures, morphological variables including body size and head width, and body condition of sea turtles captured from
Authors
Margaret Lamont, Robert Michael Mollenhauer, Allen M. Foley
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Loggerhead marine turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting at smaller sizes than expected in the Gulf of Mexico: Implications for turtle behavior, population dynamics, and conservation

Estimates of parameters that affect population dynamics, including the size at which individuals reproduce, are crucial for efforts aimed at understanding how imperiled species may recover from the numerous threats they face. In this study, we observed loggerhead marine turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting at three sites in the Gulf of Mexico at sizes assumed nonreproductive in this region (≤87 cm cu

Authors
Allison Benscoter, Brian J. Smith, Kristen Hart
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

USGS scientists in the Gulf of Mexico region conduct research that investigate the past, present and future trajectories of coastal ecosystems, the stressors that impact those ecosystems, and restoration and management alternatives that aim to recover and sustain ecosystem functions and services. Our researchers are engaged in restoration programs across the Gulf, including those spurred after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. One of those programs is the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act). The RESTORE Act was signed into law by President Obama on July 6, 2012 and calls for a regional approach to restoring the long-term health of the valuable natural ecosystem and economy of the Gulf Coast region. The RESTORE Council has awarded grants to USGS for several projects that will support the Council in making science-based decisions and evaluating restoration effectiveness. Our scientists also provide expertise to other Deepwater Horizon restoration programs including the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

RESTORE Act Research

link
Fundamental Monitoring Elements

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Monitoring and Assessment Program Development

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and USGS will jointly lead the development of foundational components for Gulf region-wide monitoring.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Monitoring and Assessment Program Development

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and USGS will jointly lead the development of foundational components for Gulf region-wide monitoring.
Learn More
link
Coastal wetlands near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Natural Resource Damage and Assessment (NRDA) Program Monitoring and Adaptive Management

State and Federal agencies are working together to assess the damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and to determine appropriate restoration actions to restore natural resources, ecological services, and recreational services injured or lost due to the incident.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Natural Resource Damage and Assessment (NRDA) Program Monitoring and Adaptive Management

State and Federal agencies are working together to assess the damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and to determine appropriate restoration actions to restore natural resources, ecological services, and recreational services injured or lost due to the incident.
Learn More
link
A nesting loggerhead carrying a satellite tag on the St. Joseph Peninsula, FL

Sea Turtle Movement and Habitat Use in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) uses trawling to capture and relocate live sea turtles away from dredging locations to minimize the risk of turtle entrainment. These incidental turtle captures provide a unique opportunity to fill critical data gaps for difficult to capture life-stages of marine turtles.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Sea Turtle Movement and Habitat Use in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) uses trawling to capture and relocate live sea turtles away from dredging locations to minimize the risk of turtle entrainment. These incidental turtle captures provide a unique opportunity to fill critical data gaps for difficult to capture life-stages of marine turtles.
Learn More
link
Figure 1. The Conservation Blueprint. Source: South Atlantic LCC

Past and Future Modeling of Ecological Indicators for the South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative

The South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) has developed a Conservation Blueprint: a “living spatial plan to conserve natural and cultural resources for future generations.” This blueprint is a data-driven plan based on terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and cross-ecosystem indicators to measure the overall health of South Atlantic ecosystems.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

Past and Future Modeling of Ecological Indicators for the South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative

The South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) has developed a Conservation Blueprint: a “living spatial plan to conserve natural and cultural resources for future generations.” This blueprint is a data-driven plan based on terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and cross-ecosystem indicators to measure the overall health of South Atlantic ecosystems.
Learn More
link
Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment at Dauphin Island

Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment at Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island, Alabama, is the only barrier island providing protection to much of Alabama's coastal natural resources. Severely impacted by repeated extreme events, like Hurricane Katrina and Deepwater Horizon oil spill, USGS and partners are conducting a joint study to evaluate the feasibility of certain alternatives to increase resiliency and sustainability of the island.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Hurricanes
link

Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment at Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island, Alabama, is the only barrier island providing protection to much of Alabama's coastal natural resources. Severely impacted by repeated extreme events, like Hurricane Katrina and Deepwater Horizon oil spill, USGS and partners are conducting a joint study to evaluate the feasibility of certain alternatives to increase resiliency and sustainability of the island.
Learn More
link
GIS and Custom Application Support for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council

GIS and Custom Application Support for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council

The scientists at the Wetland and Aquatic Science Center (WARC) have provided coastal restoration project managers and decision makers with GIS planning, database and custom application capacity since 1992. The scope and complexity of this support has increased over the years and has resulted in the development of a comprehensive geospatial and advanced application teams that provide decision...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

GIS and Custom Application Support for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council

The scientists at the Wetland and Aquatic Science Center (WARC) have provided coastal restoration project managers and decision makers with GIS planning, database and custom application capacity since 1992. The scope and complexity of this support has increased over the years and has resulted in the development of a comprehensive geospatial and advanced application teams that provide decision...
Learn More
link
Diverse deep sea coral species

NRDA: Deepwater ROV Sampling to Assess Potential Impacts to Hardbottom Coral Communities and Associates from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

The MC252 oil spill introduced hydrocarbons, dispersants, and drilling muds into the Gulf of Mexico, potentially adversely affecting the seafloor environment surrounding the spill site.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Gulf of Mexico
link

NRDA: Deepwater ROV Sampling to Assess Potential Impacts to Hardbottom Coral Communities and Associates from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

The MC252 oil spill introduced hydrocarbons, dispersants, and drilling muds into the Gulf of Mexico, potentially adversely affecting the seafloor environment surrounding the spill site.
Learn More
link
Ecological Resilience Framework

RESTORE Science: Inventory of Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Indicators Using an Ecological Resilience Framework

To effectively manage an ecosystem, resource managers need a way to evaluate its health and ability to function. Metrics that indicate ecosystem condition - or indicators - can be used to help determine how well management strategies work.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

RESTORE Science: Inventory of Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Indicators Using an Ecological Resilience Framework

To effectively manage an ecosystem, resource managers need a way to evaluate its health and ability to function. Metrics that indicate ecosystem condition - or indicators - can be used to help determine how well management strategies work.
Learn More
link
Piping plover chicks on a beach

Monitoring Effects of Barrier Island Restoration on Piping Plovers in Louisiana

The federally threatened piping plover relies on sand-beach habitat year-round for nesting, foraging, and roosting, habitat that is particularly vulnerable to loss and degradation from coastal development, recreation activities, erosion, and sea-level rise.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico, Hurricanes
link

Monitoring Effects of Barrier Island Restoration on Piping Plovers in Louisiana

The federally threatened piping plover relies on sand-beach habitat year-round for nesting, foraging, and roosting, habitat that is particularly vulnerable to loss and degradation from coastal development, recreation activities, erosion, and sea-level rise.
Learn More

Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS RESTORE Act research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS RESTORE Act publications is available from the button below.

Complete Listing of Publications
Filter Total Items: 33

Brief oil exposure reduces fitness in wild Gulf of Mexico mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus)

The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) disaster released 3.19 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) in 2010, overlapping the habitat of pelagic fish populations. Using mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus)─a highly migratory marine teleost present in the GOM during the spill─as a model species, laboratory experiments demonstrate injuries to physiology and behavior following oil exposure. Howev
Authors
Lela S. Schlenker, John D. Stieglitz, Justin Blaine Greer, Robin Faillettaz, Chi Hin Lam, Ronald H. Hoenig, Rachael M. Heuer, Charles J. McGuigan, Christina Pasparakis, Emma B. Esch, Gabrielle M. Ménard, Alexandra L. Jaroszewski, Claire B. Paris, Daniel Schlenk, Daniel D. Benetti, Martin Grosell
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP)

One shell of a problem: Cumulative threat analysis of male sea turtles indicates high anthropogenic threat for migratory individuals and Gulf of Mexico residents

Human use of oceans has dramatically increased in the 21st century. Sea turtles are vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors in the marine environment because of lengthy migrations between foraging and breeding sites, often along coastal migration corridors. Little is known about how movement and threat interact specifically for male sea turtles. To better understand male sea turtle movement and the
Authors
Micah Ashford, James I. Watling, Kristen Hart
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Temporal and spatial relationships of Yellowfin Tuna to deepwater petroleum platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico

In 2006–2007, 110 Yellowfin Tuna Thunnus albacares were tagged with acoustic transmitters near deepwater oil platforms and one drillship in the northern Gulf of Mexico off the Mississippi River delta to determine the extent to which platforms act as fish aggregating devices (FADs). Vemco acoustic receivers were installed on six deepwater platforms to detect the presence of tagged individuals. Five
Authors
Melissa E. Price, Michael T. Randall, Kenneth J. Sulak, Randy E. Edwards, Margaret Lamont
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Conservation action plan for diamond-backed terrapins in the Gulf of Mexico

Diamondback terrapins are small estuarine turtles that are vital to the health of salt marsh and mangrove habitats. Their populations have declined for over a century due to many factors including coastal development, nest predation, pet trade and drowning in crab traps. Without action, terrapin populations will continue to decline. This document summarizes the Nature Conservancy's efforts in coll
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Exploring CMAP products: Mapping

The RESTORE Council Monitoring and Assessment Program (CMAP), administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), spatially and temporally inventoried programs in the Gulf of Mexico focused on water quality and habitat monitoring and mapping.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Habitat monitoring: Exploring CMAP products

The RESTORE Council Monitoring and Assessment Program (CMAP), administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), spatially and temporally inventoried programs in the Gulf of Mexico focused on water quality and habitat monitoring and mapping.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Water quality monitoring: Exploring CMAP products

The RESTORE Council Monitoring and Assessment Program (CMAP), administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), spatially and temporally inventoried programs in the Gulf of Mexico focused on water quality and habitat monitoring and mapping.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

RESTORE Council Monitoring and Assessment Program

The RESTORE Council Monitoring and Assessment Program (CMAP), administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), spatially and temporally inventoried programs in the Gulf of Mexico focused on water quality and habitat monitoring and mapping.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Inter-nesting movements, migratory pathways, and resident foraging areas of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) satellite-tagged in Southwest Florida

Globally, sea turtle research and conservation efforts are underway to identify important high-use areas where these imperiled individuals may be resident for weeks to months to years. In the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, recent telemetry studies highlighted post-nesting foraging sites for federally endangered green turtles (Chelonia mydas) around the Florida Keys. In order to delineate additional
Authors
Kelly A Sloan, David S. Addison, Andrew T. Glinsky, Allison Benscoter, Kristen Hart
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) nesting exchange

The Northwest Atlantic population of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) is one of the largest C. caretta populations in the world and is listed as threatened. This population was divided into five genetically distinct subpopulations, including the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGoM) subpopulation (Shamblin et al. 2017 Mar. Bio. 164:138). Across the NGoM, the majority of C. caretta nesting occurs
Authors
Margaret Lamont, Jennifer S. Walker, Donna J. Shaver
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Capture vulnerability of sea turtles on recreational fishing piers

Capture vulnerability of commercial and recreational fishes has been associated with behavioral, morphological, and life-history traits; however, relationships with non-target species, such as sea turtles, have not been adequately studied. We examined species composition, timing of captures, morphological variables including body size and head width, and body condition of sea turtles captured from
Authors
Margaret Lamont, Robert Michael Mollenhauer, Allen M. Foley
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Loggerhead marine turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting at smaller sizes than expected in the Gulf of Mexico: Implications for turtle behavior, population dynamics, and conservation

Estimates of parameters that affect population dynamics, including the size at which individuals reproduce, are crucial for efforts aimed at understanding how imperiled species may recover from the numerous threats they face. In this study, we observed loggerhead marine turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting at three sites in the Gulf of Mexico at sizes assumed nonreproductive in this region (≤87 cm cu

Authors
Allison Benscoter, Brian J. Smith, Kristen Hart
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
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