"Effects of Bottom Trawling on Deep-water Coral Reefs: Protection and Conservation of a National Resource" • John Reed About the Lecture - 2007 The deep-water Oculina coral reef ecosystem is unique among coral reefs and exists nowhere else on earth except off the east coast of central Florida. The Oculina coral grows up to 5-ft diameter colonies which coalesce into dense thickets on 60-ft tall mounds. These reefs are equivalent to old growth, red wood forests and may be thousands of years old. Videotapes recently restored and made in the 1970s with the Johnson-Sea-Link submersibles (JSLs) show huge schools of grouper associated with the coral habitat. The Oculina reefs were the first deep-water coral reefs in the world to be designated a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Unfortunately, the northern 2/3 of the reef system remained unprotected and was legally open to bottom trawling until the year 2000. In 2005, a high resolution multibeam map was completed which details the hundreds of pinnacles and ridges making up the reef system. Many new reef features were discovered both inside and outside the designated MPA. Historical photographic transects, taken in the 1970s with the JSLs, provide crucial evidence of the status and health of the reefs prior to heavy fishing and trawling activities. Quantitative analyses of photographic images reveal drastic loss of live coral cover between 1975 and present. Submersible and ROV surveys conducted from 2001 to 2005 by the investigator and funded by NOAA/NURP and NMFS suggest that much of the Oculina habitat has been reduced to rubble by bottom trawling which unfortunately is a trend for other deep-water reefs worldwide. A video documentary will be shown that compares the reefs today with those of the 1970s and describes measures to protect these rare and invaluable resources. About the Speaker Mr. John Reed is a Senior Research Scientist heading the Department of Collections and Taxonomy for Harbor Branch's Division of Biomedical Marine Research. He has organized and supervised 60 worldwide collection expeditions for DBMR's biomedical research using Harbor Branch's research vessels and Johnson-Sea-Link and Clelia submersibles. These expeditions have resulted in the collection of over 30,000 marine specimens which are used for the discovery of novel compounds that may have therapeutic potential. His research specializes in the biology of deep-water reefs and taxonomy of reef organisms. Mr. Reed's research on deep-water coral reefs began 29 years ago when he started at Harbor Branch in the Division of Marine Science. He has over 50 publications on deep-water coral reefs and his research was instrumental in establishing the Oculina Reefs Marine Protected Area, the first sanctuary in the world to protect a deep sea coral reef.

© 2005, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution