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Waitt Instutute
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Three Coral Reefs Discovered in Groundbreaking Waitt Instutute for Discovery Expedition
The expedition team of CATALYST ONE, under the auspices of the Waitt Institute For Discovery (a group supported by the Ted Waitt, Gateway founder and the Waitt Family Foundation), are happy to report the discovery of not one, but three never-before identified Lophelia coral reefs.
Led by John Reed of the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) at Florida Atlantic University, the oceanographers and marine biologists spent six days at sea using the Waitt Institute’s two 6000-meter autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to map a specific region of the ocean floor near Fort Pierce, Florida. (This region is being considered for status as a Marine Protected Area status, and thus could receive government protection). The AUVs, affectionately named “Ginger” and “Mary Ann” after the characters in Gilligan’s Island, were operated by engineers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, who are partnering with the CATALYST Program in this important program of ocean exploration.
The three newly discovered Lophelia coral reefs live in waters about 400 meters deep, and can grow up to sixty meters tall. Using radiocarbon dating, the scientists estimate the Lophelia coral to be 700 years old. These coral reefs are also home to a myriad of species of fish and other marine organisms.
Though John Reed is overjoyed at the discovery, he also sounds a warning: “The mapping of Lophelia reefs in the Florida Straits is paramount to their survival. Bottom trawl fishing equipment can turn a flourishing healthy reef into a pile of lifeless rubble in a matter of hours, and the reefs cannot be protected until they are discovered and documented.”
Reed has studied marine ecosystems off Florida’s coast for more than 30 years. He plans to use the mapping data his team has gathered to support his efforts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Reed hopes these bodies will designate the region as a Deep Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern.
Vital to the The CATALYST Program is the cutting-edge AUV technology, which allows scientists to survey large areas of ocean floor with a remarkable level of accuracy and efficiency. The Hydroid REMUS 6000 vehicles were engineered by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and were commissioned by the Waitt Institute for Discovery under the direction of Ted Waitt, Gateway founder and noted philanthropist for scientific research. With complex instruments and sensors, the Waitt AUVs mapped the ocean floor with great detail and accuracy. Armed with this valuable data, the CATALYST team made great strides in protecting fragile marine ecosystems.
Source: http://waittinstitute.org/wid/news/catalyst1.html
About the Waitt Institute for Discovery
The Waitt Institute for Discovery is a non-profit research organization that promotes scientific research through innovative ways of funding. The Waitt Institute for Discovery cooperates closely with other respected scientific research groups to form fruitful partnerships. Founded in 2005 by Ted Waitt, Gateway founder and active patron of scientific research, The Waitt Institute for Discovery seeks to advance human knowledge of the past while seeking solutions for the future. For more information about The Waitt Institute for Discovery, please visit: http://waittinstitute.org/WID.
About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a independent research group focusing on marine research, engineering, and higher education. This institute’s main goal is to further scientific understanding of the oceans, and bring this knowledge to the general public. For more information, please visit: http://www.whoi.edu.
About the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, based in Florida Atlantic University, focuses upon ocean exploration, conservation, and education. For more information, please visit: http://www.hboi.edu.
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How soon will you update your blog? I’m interested in reading some more information on this issue.