school of fish behind title Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
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Close up view of Christmas tree worms protruding from a coral head

Welcome to a very special place...

Picture yourself over 100 miles from land, in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. At times, the seas can be very unforgiving, and the weather can turn foul in an instant. But here, in the midst of this unpredictable Gulf, lie three of the most beautiful and wild places in all the world. Manta rays, whale sharks, coral heads bigger than cars, hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates... This place teems with life!

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Fishing Photograph ContestPart of a colorful mural showing a gorgonian.

The 2013 Sanctuary Classic is a FREE fishing photograph contest that celebrates recreational fishing opportunities in America’s national marine sanctuaries and promotes conservation-focused fishing practices.

The event began June 8, 2013 (World Oceans Day) and runs throughout the summer to Labor Day, September 2, 2013.

One winner will be selected each week to receive a $100 gift certificate.  At the conclusion of the event, four photos will be judged from among all entrants to win four special $1000 scholarships from the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. 

More information...

New Video Series

Introductory screen from sanctuary video

Those of you looking for short video summaries of the sanctuary, coral reefs, coral spawning, mantas and sharks, or the mesophotic zone should check out our newly available, narrated video series.

Each of the 5 videos includes catchy music, subtitles, and voiceovers by young narrators. The complete set is also available in Spanish.

 

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
4700 Avenue U, Building 216
Galveston, TX 77551
p) 409-621-5151
f) 409-621-1316
flowergarden@noaa.gov

Two-toned blue dashed line

French angelfish in foreground; large boulder corals in background.  French angelfish is dinner plate size oval shaped, blue body with body scales bright yellow on their edges.
   
National Marine Sanctuary logo - a stylized whale tail above waves