NCCOS research was featured atthe 6^th International Symposium for Deep-Sea Corals (ISDSC), in Boston MA from September 12-16. NCCOS oral presentations included explorations of deep-sea coral gardens in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, effects of oil on deep-water gorgonian corals from the Gulf of Mexico with implications for the Deepwater Horizon spill, and a new conservation index developed for deep-sea communities in Southern California. Poster presentations described habitat suitability maps for deep-water coral ecosystems across the U.S., analyses of coral assemblages across the United States using the national database of deep-sea corals, taxonomic work on deep-water gorgonians from the Gulf of Mexico, and recent explorations of high-density coral communities in the Pacific Islands.

The 6th Annual International Symposium on Deep-Sea Corals was held in Boston, MA in September. ISDSC is the premier scientific conference on deep-sea coral research, management and conservation.

NCCOS also co-hosted a reception, during which the publication of the NOAA National Report on Deep Sea Coral Ecosystems was announced.This important report summarizes information on deep-water ecosystems for U.S. waters every 5 years or more. NCCOS staff contributed to a total six chapters to the report. Contributed chapters included a synthesis of recent research and management in the Gulf of Mexico, a review of recent research and management in the Northeast Region, a list of deep-water coral species from the Gulf of Mexico, an overview of the effects of fishing on deep-sea corals across the United States, habitat suitability maps generated for deep-water coral ecosystems across the U.S., and a summary of recent research and management of Hawaiian black corals.

For more information, contact Daniel.Wagner@noaa.gov .