All Climate Events

Thursday, January 11, 2018. 1:00PM. Webinar: Post Hurricane Irma Rapid Reef Assessment in South Florida and the Florida Keys NMS. Steve Gittings, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries; Tom Moore, NOAA Restoration Center. NOAA Start Center for Satellite Applications and Research. More information here.

Following Hurricane Irma, a multi-agency and partner effort was launched to conduct a rapid assessment of the Florida Coral Reef Tract, including areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Science Divers surveyed more than 50 sites, from Biscayne Bay to the Marquesas, and found extensive shifting of sand and heavy sediment accumulation as well as some structural damage to individual corals and the reef itself. Using information from these surveys, a parallel effort to stabilize corals in the most impacted locations was also undertaken. Scientists will share preliminary findings from the assessment cruise and triage activities as well as how such a collaborative effort was coordinated.