Acknowledgments

This document summarizes the proceedings of the Deep-Sea Corals Workshop held in Galway, Ireland on January 16-17, 2003. The workshop was hosted by the Irish Marine Institute (MI) and organized by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This workshop builds on the growing collaboration between MI and NOAA under the Joint Statement of Understanding (JSU) signed by the two institutions in 1995. Efforts undertaken through the JSU include research on commercially important ground fish species, research to predict harmful algal bloom occurrences, oceanographic modeling, and the exchange of ideas and information on new technologies. This workshop represents how the JSU continues to evolve in response to emerging issues of joint concern.

NOAA and MI wish to thank all the individuals and organizations that participated in the two-day workshop. We hope the time and effort committed to this workshop will result in increased collaboration between countries and institutions with interests in understanding more about deep-sea coral ecosystems.

We would like to extend a special thank you to M. Bohan, S. Brown, R. Brock, A. Grehan, K. Heron, L. Oremland, M. O’Cinneide, A. Shepard, and G. O’Sullivan for their assistance in planning and executing the Deep-Sea Corals Workshop and for their insightful editorial comments on the Deep-Sea Corals Summary Report.

Deep-Sea Corals Workshop Participants

Deep-Sea Corals Workshop –Summary Report

Overview – On January 16-17, 2003, a group of deep-sea coral researchers met in Galway, Ireland to discuss the need for an International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan, identify critical information needs to increase our understanding of these unique and fragile habitats, and identify collaborative efforts to help meet those critical needs. Representatives from eight countries including Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States attended the workshop. Each of these countries has a vested interest in deep-sea coral research and management.

The workshop was hosted by the Irish Marine Institute and was organized by the

U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and represents the continuation of a collaborative partnership between the two institutions that began in 1995. Over the years, the partnership has provided an opportunity for joint activities focusing on a variety of environmental concerns including fisheries management, harmful algal events, oceanographic modelling, and seabed mapping through remote sensing. The issue of deep-sea corals is a recent addition to the growing body of work shared by Ireland and the United States.

Critical Information Needs –Participants identified critical information needs related to three categories: 1) locating and mapping deep-sea corals; 2) understanding more about coral biology and ecology; and 3) using specific deep-sea coral species as indicators of climate change. These needs, if met, would enhance our knowledge of the distribution and function of deep-sea coral habitats and the threats they face. The following outlines these information needs as identified by three breakout groups.

Mapping – This group identified two critical information needs for locating and characterizing deep-sea coral habitat, including a list of criteria for focusing mapping efforts. First, low-resolution maps (>10m pixel size) are required to identify broad areas that may contain deep-sea corals. These mapping efforts should focus on areas that are being considered for marine protective status, areas that are suspected to contain deep-sea coral habitat based on existing information, and deepwater areas that are being intensively used by the fishing and oil and gas industries. Priority areas are in:

¾ North America -- the southern West

Florida Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico,

suspected Lophelia banks off the

northeastern coast of Florida and

Georgia, the Grand Banks; and in

¾ Europe – Skaggerak, Sweden; and

the French Canyon heads.

Second, high-resolution maps (<10m pixel size) are required to provide a baseline for characterizing areas of known deep-sea coral habitat. Priority areas are in:

¾ North America --Lophelia banks off

the coast of North Carolina,

Stellwagen Bank off the coast of

Massachusetts, the Northeast

Passage; and in

¾ Europe -- Rockall Bank, Ireland and

West Reef, Norway.

Biology and Ecology – This group identified three critical information needs that would improve our knowledge of the deep-sea corals themselves, the factors that influence their growth, reproduction, and distribution, and how communities of corals function as habitat for fish and invertebrates. First, the development of a comprehensive species inventory is required to establish a baseline for habitat characterization efforts. This will require collecting species from multiple locations and ensuring that taxonomic experts are available for species identification and classification.

Second, studies on growth and reproduction are required to better understand the life history of individual species, as well as the full effects of the threats they face. The group recommended that studies should focus on samples collected from a variety of locations and water depths, and selected some potential sampling areas including the northeast Gulf of Mexico, the Blake Plateau, the Gulf of Maine, the Porcupine Bight, and the Trondhjem Fjord in the Norwegian Sea.

Critical Information Needs

Mapping:

Biology and Ecology:

Paleoclimate Analysis:

Third, research on food web and species interactions is required to better understand how deep-sea corals function as habitat. There is a need to understand the role such habitat plays in terms of the life histories of individual species, as well as in support of biodiversity. The group recommended that these efforts build on current research, and include areas from the Gulf of Mexico to the Norwegian Sea to identify potential latitudinal differences in how species utilize deep-sea coral habitats.

Paleoclimate Analysis – This group identified three critical information needs that would allow researchers to better identify and understand past changes in climate (including triggers of climate change), and to develop more refined models for predicting future climate change. Deep-sea corals provide a unique record of temperature changes at a higher resolution than sediment cores (e.g. ± 1 year for deep-sea corals vs. ± 500 years for sediment cores). First, high-quality oceanographic data are required along the Gulf Stream and associated currents to better understand existing conditions as related to climate and corals.

Second, there is a need to collect coral samples for paleoclimate analysis from discrete areas along the Gulf Stream and associated currents to better understand the relationship between past oceanographic currents and the growth rates of corals. Specific sampling areas include the Blake Plateau, Orphan Knoll, the Northeast Channel, Rockall Trough, Lofoten Islands, Hatton Bank, Sedlo Seamount, Seine Seamount, and the Faroes-Shetlands Channel.

Third, there is a need to conduct controlled growth experiments to calibrate geochemical signals and relevant water mass properties. The species collected could come from any area. However, the experiments would require a high quality saltwater aquarium, laboratories capable of multiple dating

Statement of Need: Cold-water corals are widely distributed in the North Atlantic Ocean

A workshop was held on January 16-17, 2003 in Galway, Ireland as part of an on-going collaboration between the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Irish Marine Institute (MI), to bring together leading cold-water coral experts from the United States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Ireland, to begin formulating an International Deep-Sea Coral Action Plan.

Spectacular underwater video and photographs of deep, cold-water corals in Norway and off the west coast of Ireland have revealed a fascinating world of coral gardens, reefs, and giant carbonate mounds which support an amazing array of marine life. These are distinct from shallow tropical corals as they occur in dark frigid oceanic waters (> 100 meters) often beyond the continental shelf break and fjord waters. Now countries all around the Atlantic are beginning to explore the distribution of these important ecosystems that appear to be connected by common ocean margin characteristics and the uniting influence of the Gulf Stream.

Pioneering studies have shown that cold-water corals are outstanding examples of marine natural heritage, essential habitats for fish, as major biodiversity hot-spots in the deep-sea, as potential sources of novel bio-compounds of use in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and in medicine, and as climate change indicators.

Cold-water corals are long-lived, slow-growing, fragile, and vulnerable to physical disturbance. The rapid expansion in deep-sea fishing and oil and gas exploration now threatens the very survival of these complex habitats. Scientists have documented widespread damage to corals off Canada, the United States, and Norway resulting from the destructive effects of using trawling equipment.

International scientists participated in the Galway meeting due to a shared responsibility and mounting concerns over the rapid loss of cold water-coral habitats (many of which have existed for 1000s of years). A process has begun to identify and prioritize the research required to unlock the secrets of these ecosystems and to underpin international conservation initiatives required to ensure the long-term viability of these ecosystems. A concerted effort is also being undertaken to increase public awareness of the plight of deep, cold-water corals and to engage with industry and resource managers to develop strategies for sustainable management of the corals.

The problems facing coral ecosystems are similar in every country so the Action Plan under development will identify opportunities to pool resources, share expertise, and exchange data to rapidly increase our scientific understanding of the ecosystem, which will form the basis for advice to policy makers and resource managers on both sides of the Atlantic.

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While deep-sea coral habitats exist within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and other political boundaries of several nations, many can be found in areas outside of national jurisdictions. Given the fragile nature of these corals and their ecological importance, an International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan would provide a blueprint for participating countries to collaborate on exploration, mapping, research, public awareness, and management of deep-sea corals in international waters. Suc h an international action plan would also guide efforts to manage human activities that have a negative effect on deep-sea coral habitats in international waters; enable member nations to address similar issues and problems in a systematic manner; establish consistency in scientific methodology and data collection; improve information exchange; and enable participating nations to pool resources to address critical needs. An International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan may also provide grounds to establish an international deep-sea corals “Marine Protected Area” (MPA) on the high seas – a concept that was discussed a number of times during the workshop as a potential long-term target.

An International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan will not replace or duplicate existing collaborative efforts in specific regions. In contrast, it may provide additional incentive and support for efforts that are currently struggling due to a lack of funding and other resources.

Current State of Regional Efforts

Europe – Currently, much of the international environmental work in Europe is being conducted under the “Sixth European Union Framework Programme” (EU FP6). Specific activities under EU FP6 related to deep-sea corals are guided by the “Atlantic Coral Ecosystem Study” (ACES), which coordinates research, management, and legislative activities related to deep-sea coral habitat that are conducted by member countries. Significant progress on locating, mapping, and characterizing deep-sea coral habitat has been made easier under the EU ACES Project and by the Irish National Seabed Survey, which has mapped the Irish EEZ equivalent from 200 m out to 4000 m.

Canada – Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia is currently developing a proposal to establish a Deep-Sea Coral Research Network to guide research and management efforts related to deep-sea coral habitat. The proposal addresses four major topics: 1) high-resolution paleoclimate studies using deep-sea corals as a proxy for temperature changes; 2) chemical and biological studies of deep-sea corals; 3) the ecology of deep-sea coral habitats and the effects of fishing; and 4) education and public outreach. While the emphasis is on locating and understanding more about deep-sea coral habitats in Canadian waters, the intention of the network is to formalize collaborations with scientists in Europe and the United States. The Canadian workshop participant has indicated that the proposal was well received, and anticipates funding to support approximately five years of activity.

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United States – Deep-sea coral exploration, research, and management in U.S. waters are scattered among numerous agencies and institutions, and has trouble competing with shallow, temperate and tropical coral reef priorities. Efforts to locate and characterize deep-sea coral habitats within NOAA are funded through three NOAA line offices: NOAA Fisheries, NOAA Research [through the Office of Ocean Exploration (OE) and NOAA’s Undersea Research Program (NURP)], and NOAA’s Ocean and Coasts. Other federal and state agencies (including the U.S. Geological Survey and Minerals Management Service), as well as public and private institutions also conduct deep-sea coral work. An International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan could provide an incentive for improving the coordination of U.S. efforts.

A Proposed Framework

During the workshop, participants reviewed a potential framework (Figure 2) for developing, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of an International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan that would require the participation and interaction of scientists, natural resource managers, and educators. The framework outlines a phased approach that would allow participants to develop, assess, and prioritize specific actions (strategies) based on the best available information on deep-sea coral distribution, health, and perceived threats. The framework also includes an evaluation phase that would be conducted once actions are being implemented, which would allow participants to modify their actions based on whether or not they were effective.

The proposed framework also provides a description of specific actions that could be undertaken to develop the International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan, as well as some methods that could be used to organize participants. Specifically, it was recognized that if such an action plan is to be constructed, it would require the establishment of: 1) working groups made up of representatives from each participating nation that would be responsible for implementing each phase and developing interim products; 2) an advisory group (or groups) that would review products and progress; and 3) formal mechanisms for making decisions and approving actions.

Upon reviewing and discussing the proposed framework, participants recognized the need to look within their individual institutions and organizations to generate formal support. It was also recognized that particular efforts such as assembling and organizing existing information on deep-sea corals, developing interim products such as a State of the Deep-Sea Corals Report, and conducting collaborative field work during the upcoming field season (2003) need not wait for a formal International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan. In fact, many of these efforts could be conducted under existing institutional arrangements, and the results could be used to further the development of an International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan.

5

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

METHODS TIME

to DecisionMakers

Figure 2. Proposed framework to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of an International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan.

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The location, distribution, status, and health of deep-sea coral habitats are poorly understood. Even for those areas where reefs have been well mapped and filmed, little is known about how the species function together as a community, and as habitat for fish and invertebrates. In addition to the challenges that scientists face in accessing these areas, even less is known about how these habitats may change over time. Therefore, as an initial step toward developing an International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan, participants at the workshop discussed preparing a State of the Deep-Sea Corals Report. Participants agreed that such a report could help organize existing knowledge on these habitats, the perceived threats that they currently face, and elucidate critical information required for making informed management decisions.

As with the discussion of an International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan, participants debated the potential contents and scope of the report, and agreed that it would be worthwhile to prepare a well-organized, streamlined report, a document that would provide users with a quick overview of the most salient information available. Participants also recognized that the work conducted at the workshop on further describing the common themes related to deep-sea corals – locating and mapping habitat, conducting research on biology and ecology, and assessing deep-sea coral species as indicators of climate change – represents an initial effort toward developing the report. However, no agreement was reached on an outline, or on how to proceed in preparing the report.

Given this situation, the following outline is presented by NOAA as a potential method for developing a State of the Deep-Sea Corals Report:

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Overview:

Prior to the Deep-Sea Coral Collaborative Planning Meeting held in Tampa, Florida on November 14, 2002, deep-sea coral research profiles were requested from anticipated meeting participants. Preliminary common themes were identified based on these profiles, including: 1) mapping the distribution of deep-sea corals; 2) ecology of organisms associated with deep-sea corals; 3) physiology of deep-sea corals – indicators and response to change; 4) taxonomic studies; and 5) paleo-retrospective analyses. Common themes were developed as focal points for future discussion regarding the status of deep-sea corals research.

For the workshop, the original five common themes were condensed into three themes: (1) Mapping; (2) Biology and Ecology (including the former common themes of ecology, physiology, and taxonomy as subtopics); and (3) Paleoclimate Analysis. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to edit, rewrite as appropriate, and come to consensus regarding the common themes and overview statements at the workshop (see Appendix B for full descriptions of the overview statements).

Information Needs:

Working in three groups, participants were tasked with identifying and prioritizing critical information needs within each theme. Participants identified 26 distinct information needs – Mapping (7), Biology and Ecology (17), Paleoclimate Analysis (5) – some as specific as gathering data on the impacts of new optical scanning technologies, to others such as data from hydrographic surveys that would provide a foundation for future research and management efforts. Of these, 8 were identified as “critical” and requiring immediate attention– Mapping (2), Biology and Ecology (3), Paleoclimate Analysis (3). Table 1 lists the information needs identified by each group.

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Table 1. Information needs identified by the participants.

* = “Critical Information Needs” addressed in detail by workshop participants.

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The information needs identified by the participants can be classified under seven categories that represent a means for designing multidisciplinary efforts that could be applied to locating deep-sea coral habitats, developing a base-level characterization, and learning more about their function and health.

Critical Information Needs:

For the purposes of this workshop, Critical Information Needs (identified by an asterisk in Table 1) were defined as those that the participants should spend more time characterizing and understanding. Specifically, participants were asked to characterize each Critical Information Need in terms of:

Geography – Where do we need to focus our efforts? Technology – What types of technology are required to meet the need? Timing and Duration – When should information be collected and how often? Users – Who needs the information? Critical Contributors – What institutions are critical to meeting this information need?

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Appendix B provides a detailed overview of the work accomplished on the Critical Information Needs, while Tables 2 and 3 list each Critical Information Need and summarize the suggested target areas and required technologies:

Table 2. Target areas for focusing efforts to meet Critical Information Needs. Geographic regions are identified where participants would like to obtain maps, samples, and conduct research. To meet some of these information needs, it is necessary to collect data on a broad scale across all regions. For example, collecting specimens from multiple areas is required for paleoclimate analysis.

Geographic Regions North America Europe

Table 3. Technologies required for collecting Critical Information Needs.

Technology Requirements

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One of the primary objectives of the workshop was to identify opportunities for scientists to collaborate on field operations and other efforts related to deep-sea corals and associated species. This objective was a continuation of a preliminary list of potential collaborative projects drawn up at the Deep-Sea Corals Collaboration Planning Meeting in Tampa, Florida on November 14, 2002. Given further development of the common themes and the identification of Critical Information Needs within those themes, participants developed a more comprehensive list of collaborative projects that 1) identified existing efforts funded for the upcoming year that provide an opportunity for collaboration; and 2) identified and described future projects with potential for collaboration.

During their discussions, participants identified several types of collaborative efforts (Table 4), which, if undertaken, would provide a solid foundation for continued collaboration and coordination related to exploration, research, education, and management, including data management, technology development, and resource management.

Table 4. Examples of the types of collaborative opportunities.

• Locate, map, and describe the types of deep-sea coral reefs, including dominant species and reef geomorphologies;
• Assess effects of deep-sea corals on associated species biodiversity and abundance;
• Describe biogeographical changes in deep-sea coral reef communities from the subtropics to boreal latitudes and from shallow to deep water; and
• Determine changes in deep-sea coral reef communities with the type, size, and isolation of reef formation.

• Determine changes in deep-sea coral metabolism, thermal tolerance, morphology, and genetics by depth and geographic area; and
• Describe recruitment processes in deep-sea coral populations and transport vectors for pre-settlement juveniles—Are transatlantic deep-sea coral populations linked by the Gulf Stream and associated currents?

• Model and predict future environmental changes (e.g., shifts in major water masses) using retrospective analyses of past environmental conditions as recorded in fossil and living coral skeletons; and
• Correlate fish stock assessments with paleo-record of conditions/changes in corals.

• Assess existing data and research results from 2003 to determine knowledge gaps
• Assess knowledge gaps as they relate to the objectives identified at the workshop
• Refine objectives as necessary
• Identify partners, potential funding sources, and integrate partners into subsequent planning process
• Develop projects for 2004 that relate to refined objectives:
• - Identify targets
• Develop consistent methodologies
• Develop a centralized database for organizing results
• Develop products based on results to:
• - Further refine objectives
• - Identify participants
• - Attract investors
• Conduct International Transatlantic Expedition planning:
• - Develop expedition-specific objectives
• - Define activities and methodologies: ‹ Exploration and mapping ‹ Research ‹ Education ‹ Outreach
• Identify science parties
• Identify vessels and equipment requirements
• - Develop a schedule
• Identify other field operations (site-specific) that complement the International Transatlantic Expedition
• Develop product oriented connections with these operations

2003	March	U.S. Congress - House Ocean Caucus Luncheon	US: Washington, D.C.
2003	April	Global Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (GEOHAB)	Tazmania
2003	April	EGS-AGU-EUG Joint Assembly	France: Nice
2003	Spring	Fisheries Exhibition	Scotland: Glasgow
2003	June	UN Meeting: Law of the Sea	US: New York
2003	June	Workshop on the Governance of High Seas Biodiversity Conservation	Australia: Cairns
2003	July	7th International Conference on Colenterate Biology	US: Lawrence, Kansas
2003	August	American Fisheries Society (MPA Component)	Canada: Quebec
2003	August	Deep-Sea Biology Symposium	US: Oregon
2003	September	Second International Symposium on Deep-Sea Corals	Germany: Erlangen
2003	September	Ocean Margins Research Conference	France: Paris
2003	November	Geological Survey of Ireland Seminar	Ireland: Dublin
2003	September	International Council for the Exploration of the Seas	Estonia
2003	December	New Zealand Deep-Sea Fisheries	Queenstown, New Zealand
2004	June	10th International Coral Reef Symposium	Japan: Okinawa
2004	Unknown	EurOcean: marine science and ocean technology	Ireland: Galway
2004	Unknown	GEOHAB	Ireland: Galway
2005	Unknown	International Society for Reef Studies Regional Meetings	Unknown
Unknown	Unknown	Irish Coral Task Force	Unknown

Title or Description Product Type Country of Origin

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Table 7. A few examples of aquaria and exhibits that highlight deep-sea corals.

Title or Description Country

The following is a list of potential actions that could be undertaken to make progress on improving integrated efforts focusing on deep-sea co rals. They are organized according to the sections of the report.

Section III. Developing an International Deep-S ea Corals Action Plan

Sec tio n IV. Developing a State of the Deep-Sea Corals Report

• Formally identify linkages and overlapping interests for ea ch of these topic areas/themes
• Formally identify priorities based on the list of Critical Inf ormation Needs, and based on the overlapping interest s/benefits.

• Further assess the projects described in Appendix C to identify areas of spatial and thematic overlap and to identify additional gaps related to the Critical Information Needs
• Develop new project ideas that combine these projects, as appropriate.

• Develop a “Concept Paper” (draft i s underway)
• Initiate regional efforts to assess existing data and establish consistent methods for new data
• Establish a centralized repository for the results of the assessments
• Develop tools to assess the results of research conducted in 2003.

(1)

Federal Fishe ry Management Zones;

(2)

Habitat Area of Particular Con cern (HAPC)*;

(4)

MPAs; and

(5)

National Marine Sanctuaries

Site Name	US Region
NE Multispecies Closed Area I (portion of George’s Bank)	North Atlantic
NE Multispecies Closed Area II (portion of George’s Bank)	North Atlantic
NE Multispecies Nantucket Lightship Closed Area	North Atlantic
Gerry E. Studds/Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary	North Atlantic
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary	Western Gulf of Mexico
Desoto Canyon Closed Area	Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Madison-Swanson Spawning Site	Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Steamboat Lumps Spawning Site	Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Experimental Oculina Research Reserve	South Atlantic
Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern	South Atlantic
Tortugas Shrimp Sanctuary	South Atlantic

• Go to www.mpa.gov
• Click on “The MPA Inventory”
• Click on “Query the Inventory”
• Click on “Query by Site”
• Within the “Select a Single Site” section, choose a site name from the pull-down menu.
• Click on the “Search” button
• The results include a small table with some basic information about the site chosen.
• For a more detailed site profile, click on the highlighted site name within this table.

1. A joint “Statement of Need” for an International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan;
2. Introduced the concept of developing a State of the Deep-Sea Corals Report;
3. Detailed descriptions of common themes for Mapping, Biology and Ecology, and Paleoclimate Analysis of deep-sea corals;
4. Detailed descriptions of collaborative projects for 2003 and beyond; and
5. Discussed the process and model for developing an International Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan.

1. Reach consensus on and commitment to the development of an international “Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan”
2. Reach consensus on and commitment to the development of an international “State of Deep-Sea Coral Report”
3. Develop concise descriptions of the common exploration and research themes identified at the collaborative planning meeting held in Tampa on November 14, 2002
4. Develop detailed descriptions of priority collaborative efforts to undertake in 2003

• 9:20 Atlantic Coral Ecosystem Study (Andre Freiwald)
• 9:40 Norwegian Coral Research (Jan Helge Fosså)
• 9:50 U.S. Coral Research (Kimberly Puglise)
• 10:00 Canadian Coral Research (Mike Risk)

• Review existing integrated marine environmental action plans
• Discuss the need for an action plan focusing on deep-sea corals
• Develop a draft outline and establish a timeline for development

• Review similar “State of” reports
• Discuss the report as a guide for developing an action plan
• Develop a draft outline and establish a timeline for development

• Review the common themes identified in Tampa – add, delete, or change theme
• Review templates for developing descriptions
• Breakout groups develop descriptions

1. A Working Outline of a Deep-Sea Corals Action Plan
2. A Working Outline of a State of Deep-Sea Corals Report
3. Descriptions of the Common Themes
4. Project Ideas for 2003 and 2004 (to be used on Day 2)

• Review the project ideas developed on Day 1
• Identify additional collaborative projects based on spatial or information gaps
• Simple classification of projects: Existing vs. New Starts

• Review project description template
• Breakout Groups (same theme areas as Day 1) develop descriptions including: − Project title − Abstract − Geographic area − Partner roles and responsibilities − Resource and equipment requirements − Actions − Timing and schedule − Anticipated costs − Prerequisite actions (what needs to be done immediately)

1. Table of Project Ideas organized by theme
2. Detailed Project Descriptions
3. List of Project Ideas for consideration in out years

Appendix B: Common Themes and Critical Information Needs

This Appendix contains the detailed notes of the work conducted by each of the three breakout groups – (1) Mapping the Distribution and Abundance of Deep-Sea Corals; (2) Biology of Deep-sea Coral Ecosystems; and (3) Paleoclimate Analysis. Each of the groups was required to: 1) refine the overview statement that described their working group “theme”; 2) identify objectives for the theme (optional; not all groups listed objectives); 3) identify information needs required for making progress on their theme; and 4) further describe what the group considered to be the most “critical” information needs (i.e., those that need to be addressed as soon as possible).

Group 1: Mapping the Distribution and Abundance of Deep-Sea Corals

Note: To describe the whole life span of a polyp, we need to understand deep-sea coral growth rates. The working group discussed the potential cross over of interests and objectives with Group 3: Paleoclimate Analysis. Also, the group discussed that this critical information need could be listed within the “Characterization of the Physical and Chemical Environment” theme recommended by this group as an addition to the common themes list.

Geography:

Efforts should be focused in the following regions:

Specific sites were chosen based on ease of sampling:

Technology:

The following technologies are required to meet this critical information need:

Timing and Duration:

Ideally, information should be collected spanning all months of the year. It will require several years to collect this data. Additionally, short-term lab studies will be necessary to calibrate field-collected data.

Users:

Critical Contributors:

Geography:

The location of this work should be based on ongoing efforts and along a latitudinal gradient.

Technology:

Timing and Duration:

This may be ecosystem-dependent (e.g., fish aggregations/spawning on Oculina Banks happen in February - March; there are spring phytoplankton blooms/surface productivity and seasonally-dependent fish associations).

Users:

• Scientific Community.

Critical Contributors:

The main funding arena for this theme will be fishery-related.

Institution Contribution

University of Maine, University of Essential Fish Habitat

Connecticut McMaster University and Dalhousie Food web, Stable Isotope Genetics

University University of Groningen (RUG) Trophic Diversity Scottish Association for Marine Science Deep-sea Fisheries & Species Interactions University of Liverpool Isotopes & Lipid Biomarkers University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Food Web

& Florida State University Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Stable Isotopes & Lipid Biomarkers Institute of Marine Research, Norway Fish Habitat & Community Analysis National University of Ireland, Galway; Irish

Stable Isotopes & Fisheries Marine Institute

Geography:

• Global.

Technology:

Taxonomic expertise:

The working group discussed the need for a mechanism(s) for sending specimens to experts. The idea is develop a clearinghouse to prevent deep-sea coral taxonomy experts from being overwhelmed with samples to identify. The bulk of reef species could be assigned to local scientists, saving the difficult species for taxonomists.

Timing and Duration:

This is not relevant to this critical need.

Users:

Critical Contributors:

The deficit in capable taxonomists is an issue that continues to be raised at European Union meetings, but at present no money is available.

Group 3: Paleoclimate Analysis

1. OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

Paleo-retrospective and prospective analysis may be a tool to separate natural oscillations versus anthropogenic effects. Information derived from paleontological studies will allow modelers to assess climate change. Paleontological studies will also assist fisheries managers to determine whether any changes seen in fish stock assessments are likely a result of natural variations in climatic, oceanographic conditions, and/or anthropogenic stressors.

Note: Why use deep-sea corals as paleoclimate proxies?

2. OBJECTIVES:

Overarching Goal: To model and predict future climate changes by ascertaining past environmental conditions through retrospective analysis.

environmental event (e.g. oceanographic/atmospheric process) occurring in one place also shows up in another (e.g. African dust).

3. LIST OF INFORMATION NEEDS:

4. CRITICAL INFORMATION NEEDS:

Geography:

A Gulf Stream transect is necessary. Possible sampling sites for a Gulf Stream expedition include the following:

Technology:

The following technologies are required to meet this critical information need:

Timing and Duration:

This work needs to be performed only once and can happen at any time of year.

Users:

There are several different users who could use this information.

Critical Contributors:

Category not discussed at workshop.

Geography:

• Global.

Technology:

The following technologies are required to meet this critical information need:

Timing and Duration:

The fieldwork should be performed sometime within the months of July - September. One successful trip would be sufficient, but coral survival is important.

Critical Contributors:

Category not discussed at workshop.

Geography:

• Gulf Stream.

Timing and Duration:

The longest available time series should be acquired.

Users:

There are several different users who could use this information.

Critical Contributors:

Category not discussed at workshop.

‰	Timing: When the projects will/may take place. This category is divided into 2003
	projects and future projects.
‰	Location: The region of study is categorized as U.S., Canada, Europe, and Multi-
	regional. The four categories may be further described by specific sites or reefs.
‰	Description: Very brief abstract of the project.
‰	Key Activities: Brief descriptions of the primary activities that will take place
	during the project.
‰	Contact: Principal- or Co-Investigator of the project or an individual with
	information on the project