Connectivity of Coral Ecosystems (CYCLE) in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Mission Summary

This was the first year of a five-year study to investigate population connectivity for key coral, sponge, and fish species between shallow and mesophotic reefs of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and its proposed expansion areas to the east. The project led by Lehigh University is funded by NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the Office of Ocean Exploration and Research in partnership with the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.