Benthic Habitat Maps to Aid in Resource Management National
Centers for Coastal Ocean Science scientists and Flower Garden
Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) scientists have
launched a second season of research aboard the NOAA ship Nancy
Foster to address Sanctuary management issues by assessing the
fish and coral communities, and generating a benthic habitat map
showing the distribution of resources. The scientists are
conducting inventory, assessment, and monitoring related
activities throughout the Sanctuary waters. The cruise is
running from September 8-15, and daily updates are available at 
http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/missions/2007nancy_foster/welcome.ht
ml. Additional background on information is available at
http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/sanctuaries/fgb_nms/.