HI-A-389A is a gas production platform located within sanctuary boundaries at East Flower Garden Bank. It has come to the end of its productive life and is slated for removal. Based on the public’s desire to keep a portion of the structure in place for fishing and diving, the top portion of the structure will be removed down to 65 feet. The lower portion, from 65-400 feet, will remain in place.
The document package below includes background material for this partial removal and the Environmental Assessments pertaining to the development of an artificial reef within the sanctuary. Additional information is under development and will be shared as it becomes available. For further information or questions, please contact Emma.Hickerson@noaa.gov
A public meeting of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council's Boundary Expansion Working Group will take place on Thursday, October 12, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the sanctuary offices.
4700 Avenue U, Building 216
Galveston, TX 77551
Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) members of this working group will be meeting to review and discuss the sanctuary's proposal for boundary expansion as detailed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Public comment will be accepted. For more information contact Leslie.Clift@noaa.gov.
A public meeting of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will take place Wednesday, September 20, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the sanctuary offices.
4700 Avenue U, Building 216
Galveston, TX 77551
ONMS director John Armor will be in attendance and engaging with council members. In addition, NCCOS will be presenting on the research they are doing in support of FGBNMS boundary expansion decisions. There will also be an update on the status of the HI-A-389A platform removal. A public comment period will begin at 1 p.m. For more information, contact
The sanctuary research team was involved in 13 research cruises and expeditions during the 2016 field season, including the use of R/V MANTA for a total of 40 days. During the course of these expeditions, 31 NOAA divers, scientists, and reciprocity divers conducted 856 scuba dives.
Research activities included biological surveys and sample collection, response to a mass die-off of invertebrates at East Flower Garden Bank, response to a bleaching event, removal of invasive species, equipment maintenance, image collection, and dive safety training. Six sanctuary permits were processed, and an additional five are ongoing.
Can’t get to your national marine sanctuaries? Thanks to the wonders of 360-degree photography and virtual reality, these underwater treasures are now just a few mouse clicks away.
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has launched a virtual dive gallery, complete with immersive 360-degree views of five national marine sanctuaries including the Flower Garden Banks.
Would you like to receive regular updates about sanctuary news and events? Want to learn more about diving and fishing issues in the Gulf of Mexico? Or perhaps you'd like to know more about volunteer or research opportunities? Maybe education resources?
We have 6 different email lists designed to keep people informed on these sanctuary-related topics. All you have to do is sign up!
Building on more than 30 years of studies and numerous reports released in the last decade calling for additional protections, NOAA’s Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is proposing to expand its boundaries to protect areas of national significance off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. This map shows the preferred alternative for expansion as explained in our Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Learn More...
