NOAA West Coast Deep-Sea Coral Initiative 2018-2021: Final Report

This report summarizes the objectives, accomplishments, and outcomes of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) West Coast Deep-Sea Coral Initiative (WCDSCI), funded by the Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program1 (DSCRTP). The four-year initiative (2018-2021) was designed to explore, map, characterize, and conduct research on deepwater coral and sponge habitats in the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) region, inclusive of waters off California, Oregon, and Washington. Rotating regional initiatives are a part of DSCRTP’s national strategy to support deep-sea coral and sponge (DSCS) habitat research and management needs across the US. The first West Coast regional initiative took place in 2010-2012.