This page contains links to sanctuary reports that summarize our scientific research and monitoring efforts.
A more comprehensive listing of scientific publications and articles associated with sanctuary research, is available on our Research Publications page.
Annual Research Reports
The purpose of these reports is to document the activities of the Flower Garden Banks Research Team during each fiscal year (October 1st to September 30th).
2022 Research Report
2021 Research Report
2020 Research Report
Impact Reports
These reports provide a summary of pressures on sanctuary resources and the potential impacts of those pressures.
Rapid Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
(2024)
Marine Debris on Reefs and Banks in the Vicinity of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
(ONMS-23-02)
Summary of Past and Projected Future Climate Impacts to Coral Reefs in the Flower Garden Banks
(2021)
Strategy for Stony Coral tissue Loss Disease Prevention and Response at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (Version 1)
(ONMS-21-06)
Increasing coral calcification in Orbicella faveolata and Pseudodiploria strigosa at Flower Garden Banks, Gulf of Mexico
(2021)
FGBNMS Climate Change Impacts Profile
(2020)
2008 Condition Report
- A summary of marine resources in the sanctuary, pressures on those resources, current condition and trends, and management responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment. Additional information available on the 2008 Condition Report web page.
Biological Considerations of the Effects of Spearfishing
- A summary of research regarding the impacts of spearfishing on biological communities.
Marine Debris Sightings in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico
- Marine debris sightings data extracted from Deep Fish Habitat (DFH) ROV video transect transcripts, 2002-2015.
Long-Term Monitoring Reports: East and West Flower Garden Banks
These reports summarize fish and benthic community observations and water quality data collected from East Flower Garden Bank and West Flower Garden Bank long-term monitoring study sites. The annual long-term monitoring program began in 1989 and is funded by NOAA’s Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, with support from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
For long-term monitoring reports prior to 2011, please visit the BOEM website.
Long-term Monitoring at East and West Flower Garden Banks: 2020 and 2021 Annual Report
(ONMS-22-01)
National Coral Reef Monitoring Program FGBNMS 2020 Status Report - part of a series of reports on the status and trends of U.S. coral reefs
Long-term Monitoring at East and West Flower Garden Banks: 2019 Annual Report
(ONMS-21-02)
Long-term Monitoring at East and West Flower Garden Banks: 2018 Annual Report
(ONMS-20-09)
Long-Term Monitoring at East and West Flower Garden Banks: 2017 Annual Report (ONMS-18-02)
Long-Term Monitoring at East and West Flower Garden Banks: 2016 Annual Report (ONMS-17-09)
Long-Term Monitoring at East and West Flower Garden Banks: 2015 Annual Report (ONMS-16-02)
Long-Term Monitoring at East and West Flower Garden Banks: 2014 Annual Report
Long-Term Monitoring at East and West Flower Garden Banks: 2013 Annual Report
Long-Term Monitoring Reports: Stetson Bank
Stetson Bank is an uplifted claystone/siltstone feature located within Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, which supports a diverse benthic community of sponges and coral. Annual monitoring of the bank crest has been conducted since 1993. Surveys of the mesophotic zone surrounding the bank crest were added in 2015.
Stetson Bank Long-term Monitoring: 2022 Annual Report
(ONMS-24-01)
Stetson Bank Long-term Monitoring: 2020 and 2021 Annual Report
(ONMS-22-02)
Stetson Bank Long-term Monitoring: 2019 Annual Report
Stetson Bank Long-Term Monitoring: 2015-2018 Synthesis Report
(ONMS-21-01)
Stetson Bank Long-Term Monitoring: 1993-2015
(ONMS-20-06)
Stetson Bank Long-Term Monitoring: 2018 Annual Report (ONMS-19-05)
Stetson Bank Long-Term Monitoring: 2017 Annual Report (ONMS-19-03)
Stetson Bank Long-Term Monitoring: 2016 Annual Report (ONMS-19-02)
Stetson Bank Long-Term Monitoring: 2015 Annual Report (ONMS 17-06)
Other Research Reports
Mapping, assessment, and other research activities are summarized in various reports, as needed.
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Mapping Projects, 2017-2020
Baseline Ecological Assessment of Artificial Reef, High Island A-389-A: Pre- and Post-partial Structure Removal
(ONMS-20-11)
October 2008: Hurricane Ike Impacts at FGBNMS
October 2005: Hurricane Rita Impacts at FGBNMS
Posters
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico
- poster presented by Ryan Eckert at GCFI 2013
Benthic Community Composition Associated with a Petroleum Platform, High Island A-389-A, Located within the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary - poster presented by John Embesi at GCFI 2013
Deep Sea Marine Life of the Monterrey Shipwrecks - poster created by Bill Kiene following 2013 exploration of shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico
Fish Communities Associated with Benthic Biological Zones at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and other Banks in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico - poster presented by Marissa Nuttall at GCFI 2013
Indo-Pacific Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) Invade the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico - poster presented by Michelle Johnston at GCFI 2013
Investigation of a Northern Gulf of Mexico brain coral, Diploria strigosa, for climate reconstructions - poster by Robin Cobb, LSU