Michelle Johnston

2021

2022

2023

Objectives: The objectives of this proposed work include: FY21 - analysis and calibration of field data scheduled to be collected jointly in FY20; FY22 - conducting a workshop to discuss data, methods and results, and develop a data sharing agreement and program integration plan; and, FY23 - implementation of co-managed Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary coral reef monitoring project beginning in FY23. Approach: Separate coral reef monitoring efforts currently take place on the coral reef caps of the Flower Garden Banks in the Gulf of Mexico: one by FGBNMS/BOEM and one by NCRMP. In FY20, NCRMP and FGBNMS are conducting joint calibration cruises to collect data based on both FGBNMS and NCRMP monitoring program methods for comparison, and to drive decisions for the integration of the two programs. Funds for FY21 will support analysis of data collected in the same spatial and temporal time frame, allowing methods and data between the two programs to be calibrated. A workshop will be held to discuss results and methodology in FY22 to develop a data sharing agreement and integrated coral reef monitoring program plan for FGBNMS. Beginning in FY23, the integrated co-managed FGBNMS long-term monitoring program will be implemented, with FGBNMS and NCRMP taking the lead on reef wide data collection and analysis in alternating years and sharing shiptime for field work. *NOTE that 2020 field work has not taken place due to COVID19. Therefore, fieldwork from 2020 will take place in 2021, thus delaying everything by one year.

This will result in a streamlined monitoring program where methods are calibrated and data is collected annually, enhancing NCRMP reporting and report card products and FGBNMS annual monitoring reports. This effort will be a collaboration across NOAA offices working towards a "one NOAA" goal of monitoring and protecting coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.

• Gulf of Mexico

National Monitoring

Funding Ended

https://www.coris.noaa.gov/search/rest/find/document?searchText=projectNumber%3A31335%20OR%20projectTitle%3A"Integration%20of%20NCRMP%20and%20FGBNMS%20Coral%20Reef%20Monitoring%20Programs"&start=1&max=10&f=searchPage