CORAL SPAWNING CRUISE 2011
August 18-21, 2011
aboard the R/V MANTA
Overview
The Flower Garden Banks research team, along with researchers from the University of Texas (UT) and the Navy Research Laboratory (NRL), conducted a successful cruise to document the annual coral spawning event at the Sanctuary. This cruise was funded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
A diver navigates to the deeper area of East Flower Garden Bank where additional temperature sensors are located. Photo: FGBNMS/Embesi
Researchers from UT collected coral fragments from four different coral species, including the invasive Tubastrea species, for genetic analysis. In addition, they collected coral spawn from a variety of species for laboratory experiments.
Researchers from the NRL collected data on current movement around the Banks using Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), and a vertical microstructure profiler (VMP). In addition, the NRL collected Bio-Acoustic data that showed the coral spawning event had a unique acoustic signature.
Divers change out the water quality monitoring instruments at East Flower Garden Bank. Photo: FGBNMS/Eckert
In addition to collecting data on the timing of difference species spawning, the Flower Garden Banks research team also collected quarterly water samples, conducted maintenance on water quality instruments and acoustic receivers at each of the Banks, and installed new mooring buoys.
Both the M/V Spree and the M/V Fling were on site with recreational scuba divers to observe the annual coral spawning event.
Participants
R/V Manta crew
- Captain Darrell Walker
- Captain Mike Shetler
- Julia O'Hern
- Kayleigh Stansel
Sanctuary research team
- Ryan Eckert
- John Embesi
- Marissa Nuttall
Naval Research Laboratory
University of Texas
- Sarah Davies
- Dr. Mikhail Matz
- Eli Meyer
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Daytime Activities
Researchers from the Flower Garden Banks sanctuary spent time changing out water quality monitoring instruments at each bank, including those located in the deeper area of East Flower Garden Bank. They also changed out acoustic receivers located at each bank.
A diver changes out the temperature sensors at one of the deep stations. Photo: FGBNMS/Embesi
These monitoring instruments are anchored to a heavy railroad wheel in a sand patch at each bank, which, following Hurricane Ike in 2008, had become buried in the sand. Divers lifted these railroad wheels out and re-positioned them on top of the sand at each location.
A NOAA Working Diver coordinates lifting the railroad wheel out of the sand at East Flower Garden Bank.
Photo: FGBNMS/Eckert
The railroad wheel at East Bank, with water quality
instruments attached, after being lifted into its new position.
Photo: FGBNMS/Eckert
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Time was also spent removing debris from an old research station at East Flower Garden Bank...
These rolls of chain link fencing are the remains of a previous research project in the sanctuary.
Photo: FGBNMS/Embesi
A NOAA Working Diver fills the lift bag used to lift chain link fencing off the reef and up to the surface, to be collected by
the R/V Manta. Photo: FGBNMS/Nuttall
installing new mooring buoys...
This mooring buoy was installed at East Flower Garden Bank. Mooring buoys are provided so that vessels visiting the sanctuary do not anchor on the reef. Photo: FGBNMS/Embesi
...and opportunistic Lionfish hunting.
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Linus, a lionfish captured in the sanctuary on an earlier trip. Photo: FGBNMS/Embesi
While working at the West Bank, divers encountered a friendly male Whale Shark. The shark swam with divers and snorkelers for almost an hour, allowing researchers to measure and tag it. The shark measured in at 6m from head to tail, and was tagged with a Pop-up Archival Tag (PAT), courtesy of Dr. Eric Hoffmayer.
A snorkeler observes and swims with a 6 meter long
Whale shark. Photo: FGBNMS/Nuttall
This tag will track the sharks movement over the next 5 months, then pop-off the shark and transmit its data back to the scientists via satellite. Divers nicknamed the shark “Lucky 7’s” since its tag number included “777”.
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A male Whale Shark circled divers at West Flower Garden Bank. Photo: FGBNMS/Eckert
Researchers from the NRL conducted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) surveys during day time operations and ran vertical microstructure profiler (VMP) surveys early in the morning, while diving operations were complete for the day.
2010 Spawning Observations
On Friday night (Aug 19th, 2011), a few colonies of Orbicella (Montastraea) franksi, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Montastraea cavernosa, and Stephanocoenia intersepta were observed spawning, along with ruby red brittle stars.
An Orbicella (Montastraea) franksi colony spawning.
Photo: FGBNMS/Eckert
Spawn fills the water column as the evening continues. Photo: FGBNMS/Eckert
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On Saturday night (Aug 20th, 2011), researchers observed a spectacular spawning event with many colonies of Orbicella (Montastraea) franksi, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Montastraea cavernosa, and Stephanocoenia intersepta observed spawning.
An Orbicella (Montastraea) franksi colony spawns atop a colony of Pseudodiploria strigosa. Photo: FGBNMS/Eckert
A Pseudodiploria strigosa colony spawns.
Photo: FGBNMS/Eckert
Ruby red brittle stars were also seen spawning, and Orbicella (Montastraea) faveolata was seen with gametes set, but not observed spawning.
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Many spiny sea urchins, Diadema antillarum, were observed about the reef at night. Photo: FGBNMS/Eckert
General Coral Spawning Information
For general information about the annual mass coral spawning event, please visit our Coral Spawning page.
For a summary from the 2010 spawning season, please use the link below:
2010 Coral Spawning
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