Seafloor Habitat Data Now Available to Assist Resource Management of Puerto Rican Conservation Areas
Spatial data on high-resolution bathymetry, habitat hardness and habitat roughness, along with complementary underwater video from Puerto Rican Conservation Areas are now available online to advance management of these areas. Scientists from the National Centers for C0astal Ocean Science conducted a scientific research mission on board the NOAA ship NANCY FOSTER from April 14 – 24, 2007. The purpose of the mission was to explore and characterize near shore habitats (10 – 300 meters) within Bajo de Cico, Abrir La Sierra, and Isla de Mona Conservation Areas which are high priority marine protected areas on Puerto Rico’s western coast. The mission explored and characterized grouper spawning grounds and high density coral reef habitats.
Related NCCOS Center(s): CCMA
Related Region(s): Puerto Rico
Shorter web link for sharing: http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/news/?p=992
