Stellwagen Bank National Mar. Sanc. Services/NOAA

As coastal populations increase in size, the uses of the seafloor become more diverse and intensive. Major activities occurring in coastal and marine environments that require knowledge of seafloor characteristics and processes for their successful management include: 1) commerical and recreational fishing (2) regulating sanctuaries and marine protected areas.

Provide high resolution multibeam generated bathymetric proflie data and graphic benthic topographic protrayals of selected topographic features in teh northwestern Gulf of Mexico for the Flower Gardne Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

Project Goals are achieved through close collaboration with National Marine Fisheries Service, National Marine Sanctuaries System. Studies inlude seabed and habitat mapping, identification of Essential Fish Habitat for managed species, delineation of habitat reserves, determine the role of geologic proecesses in the function of habitats.

NMFS and regional Fisheries Managment Councils have utilized results of ongoing research in the New England and Gulf of Mexico regions to aid in the development of fishery management policies. They depend on on projects such as this one as a primary source of habitat information.