Biodiversity of the Deep Ocean and Blue Economy: Assessing Deep Sea Biodiversity Through NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research Sponsored Projects
Nathalie J Valette-Silver1,2, Shirley A. Pomponi3, Joshua D Voss3, Stephen R Hammond4 and Frank Cantelas5, (1)NOAA Ocean and Atmospheric Research, College Park, MD, United States, (2)NOAA, Silver Spring, MD, United States, Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States, (3)Florida Atlantic University, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Fort Pierce, FL, United States, (4)NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Portland, OR, United States, (5)NOAA Ocean and Atmospheric Research, Office of Ocean exploration and Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
Abstract:
The mission of NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) is to explore and characterize the ocean, particularly deep (below 200m depth) and unknown areas. OER employs multiple mechanisms to accomplish this mission, including a collaborative partnership with its Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology and an annual Federal Funding Opportunity to support ocean exploration, technology innovation, and maritime archaeology. OER-funded projects enable exciting discoveries and scientifically impactful results that are frequently documented in peer-reviewed literature. Over the last decade, OER sponsored projects have provided new tools for exploring our oceans and important information to advanced knowledge of the deep ocean biodiversity and ecological resources. For example, the discovery of new deep coral habitats in areas previously unknown provides key information for the sustainable use of the ocean. In addition, new marine species have been discovered and new natural products with potential medical applications have been identified. This presentation will highlight new discoveries in deep-sea biodiversity obtained through funded expeditions and research projects within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf Project as well as their potential impact on/connection with the Blue Economy.
