Following NOAA’s forecast of a 4,155 square mile dead zone–which was below average–for the Gulf of Mexico last summer, scientists determined the dead zone measured 3,058 square miles! Annual mapping of the zone has been ongoing since 1985. This was the seventh smallest zone on record in the 37 year measurement history. https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/news/below-average-summer-2023-dead-zone-measured-in-gulf-of-mexico/