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Assessment to Improve Marine Debris Removal and Monitoring Efforts in Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary
Scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), in collaboration with NOAA's Marine Debris Program and Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS), completed a field mission September 23-24, which will improve debris removal and monitoring efforts within GRNMS. The purpose of this mission was to characterize the types, abundance, and accumulation rates of marine debris on densely colonized hardbottom within the sanctuary. NCCOS scientists and partners established and marked long term monitoring sites, conducted an initial survey, and removed debris from each site. Sites were selected to compare debris metrics between regions with differing levels of human use and ledge height. The selected sites will be monitored quarterly to measure rates of debris accumulation. For additional information, contact Laurie Bauer at 301-713-3028 x236 or Laurie.Bauer@noaa.gov . [07M00106] (CCMA)
Invasive Lionfish Now Found at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Potentially Impacting Ecology and Management
The invasive lionfish ( Pterois volitans ), a native to the Indo-Pacific, has continued its expansion along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. and has now been found farther inshore in Georgia waters than previously observed. Two adult size individuals were observed September 23 and 24 during bottom surveys at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) located on the inner continental shelf. The lionfish is believed to be a newcomer to GRNMS and had not previously been found there as documented by thorough fish census activities conducted in recent years. Found by scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science while conducting marine debris surveys, the occurrence of these fish will be assessed quarterly along with marine debris. For additional information contact Matt Kendall at 301-713-3028 x144 or Matt.Kendall@noaa.gov . [07M00106] (CCMA)