In the southeast U.S., deep-sea corals (link) create oases of special habitat along the coast and are extremely vulnerable to certain kinds of fishing such as bottom trawling and dredging (links). Both corals and fisheries are managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (link). In 2004, the Council responded to the convincing data … Read more
In the northeast United States, there are at least 25 different species of both hard and soft deep-sea corals (link). These coral are long-lived and fragile, making them vulnerable to destructive fishing (link) practices. Although little is known about even the most abundant deep-sea coral in New England, it is clear they are important animals … Read more
The Gulf of Mexico is home to an abundance of amazing creatures, both in shallow waters and the deep sea: from the surface where bluefin tuna (link) spawn to the coral (link) gardens where sharks (link) lay their eggs. Not only is it an area with increasing fishing pressure, but it is a rich … Read more
Deep-sea corals and sponges, some of the oldest animals on Earth, grow at the rate of just a few millimeters each year and can live for thousands of years. In recent years, scientists worldwide have discovered that the majority of the coral species found in the world’s oceans live in deep or cold waters. Deep-sea … Read more
Few people are aware that the continental shelf, slope and canyons of California’s ocean are home to a diversity of deep-sea corals. Like redwoods, California’s deep sea corals can live to be hundreds to thousands of years old. Large corals like Hydrocorals, sea fans and black corals are found in high densities in the … Read more
Oregon is home to a magnificent underwater environment, producing valuable fisheries and diverse seafloor habitats. Deep underwater canyons like Astoria Canyon where the Columbia River meets the ocean are home to a variety of coral and sponge habitats (links). Heceta Bank off the Oregon Coast is a hotspot for black corals. Their complex branches … Read more
The Bering Sea contains the world’s broadest continental shelf — an elevated underwater plain — and the most productive fisheries in North America. As ocean currents move north from the Pacific Ocean and the Aleutian basin toward the Arctic Ocean, they bring nutrients from the deep sea toward the surface. This upwelling creates thriving seafloor … Read more
The Alexander Archipelago contains complex seafloor that is perfect habitat for red tree corals (link to above) (Primnoa sp.), a variety of sponges and anemones (links). Sea whip groves and coral gardens off Kodiak Island are home to a variety of rockfish, king crab (links) and other important species. The rich continental slope dives … Read more
The gorgonia Primnoa sp., also known as red tree corals or sea corn, and the bubblegum gorgonia Paragorgia arborea can form great branching trees that reach many feet from the seabed. Red tree corals 7 feet tall and 25 feet wide have been observed by scientists in submersibles, and fishermen have reported bubblegum trees over … Read more
Lophelia is a reef-forming coral that provides a highly complex habitat supporting as diverse an array of life as some shallow water reef communities. It is found in every ocean except in Polar regions. Most Lophelia reefs are found at depths of 650 to 3,300 feet, though the deepest so far discovered is nearly two … Read more
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