Cruise Report: EX-18-03, Gulf of Mexico 2018 (ROV/Mapping) Cruise Summary: EX-18-03, Gulf of Mexico 2018 (ROV & Mapping)

Between April 11 and May 3, 2018, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) and partners conducted a 22-day, telepresence-enabled expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to collect critical baseline information about unknown and poorly understood deepwater areas surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. The goal of the expedition was to use remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives in combination with mapping operations to increase scientific understanding of deep-sea ecosystems of this region, as well as to provide a foundation of publicly-accessible data to spur further exploration, research, and management activities. Using OER’s dual-body ROV, the expedition conducted 15 ROV dives that ranged in depth from 500 to 3,010 meters, and included midwater exploration ranging in depth from 300 to 2,100 meters. Hundreds of species were observed, including first-time in situ observations of some species and previously unseen behaviors of others; several significant range extensions were also documented. Sixty-five (65) biological samples were collected during the expedition (21 primary and 44 associated and commensal taxa), some of which may be undescribed species. At least five high-density communities of deep-sea corals were documented, including one at ~2,600 meters, the deepest known from the Gulf of Mexico, and two previously unknown chemosynthetic habitats were discovered. Twelve rock samples were collected for geochemical composition analysis and age dating. The expedition surveyed two previously unexplored shipwrecks, producing 3D photogrammetry of both sites. Over 22,099 square kilometers of seafloor were mapped over the course of the expedition, including areas around Perdido Canyon that had never before been mapped using high-resolution sonars. 2020 Ocean Exploration Program Submitted https://doi.org/10.25923/ksxr-vj32 Public Domain 1877