Large Deep Sea Fish Communities from De Soto Canyon to West Florida Escarpment (2026-2028)

Shortly following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, between 2011 and 2020, bottom long line sampling techniques were deployed using 50 circle hooks of sizes 10/0, 11/0, 12/0, 14/0 and 18/0. Target organisms include primarily deepwater fish species such as sharks and teleosts. The longline has two traps on either end, one to target hagfish, and one for invertebrates. The line also has a TDR to measure temperature and depth in addition to a sediment trap for nutrient anlaysis and an oxygen probe to measure dissolved oxygen. Fishing occurs at 200 to 2,000 meters belwo the surface from Louisiana to the West Florida Escarpment. Nearly two decades after the disaster, additional bottom long line sampling will be conducted from 2026-2028 to better understand long-term impacts on large fish community dynamics. By resampling previously studied stations, the project will examine biodiversity, community structure, and lasting effects of the oil spill on the organisms.