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Bet You
Didn’t Know
Gulf of Mexico Scientific Knowledge
Base Continually Expanding
The
Environmental Studies Program Assists MMS in its Mission
of Leasing, Regulating and Protecting Offshore Environment
Since 1973, the scientific knowledge base for the
Gulf of Mexico has continually expanded as the result of more than
$227 million in contracted studies that Minerals Management Service
(MMS) has funded. The studies have provided critical information for
decision making on leasing offshore Federal lands for oil and gas
exploration and production and for regulating operations. They also
have significantly added to what the scientific community knows about
what goes on beneath the Gulf waters.
“Our emphasis on publishing credible scientific
investigations demonstrates that we at MMS are serious about science,”
said Kevin Karl, acting regional director, MMS Gulf of Mexico Region.
“Our agency’s work has contributed hundreds of volumes of data and
findings to the scientific library concerning the Gulf of Mexico, with
an emphasis on environmentally sensitive areas and any potential
effects of oil and gas production.”
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MMS Environmental Studies Program has
completed more than 740 studies concerning the Gulf of Mexico
ranging in topics from physical oceanography and marine archaeology
to the study of habitats, fauna and flora and meteorology.
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MMS environmental studies are essential
in helping MMS protect environmentally sensitive areas in the Gulf
and ensure that oil and gas leaseholders conduct safe operations to
minimize impacts from drilling and production.
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MMS environmental studies helped in
providing protection to the environmentally sensitive area of the
Flower Garden Bank coral reefs located in Gulf waters 115 miles
south of the Texas-Louisiana state line.
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“Unique” in the true sense of the
word, the Gardens are the northernmost coral reefs on the
continental slope of North America;
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The Gardens are among the healthiest
reefs in the western hemisphere with over 50% coral cover.
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Recent coral bleaching, incidence of
invasive species and damage from Hurricane Rita demonstrated the
vulnerability of this sensitive coral reef ecosystem.
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MMS is responsible for more than 12
scientific investigations that have focused on these coral reefs
for over 30 years, including long-term monitoring since 1988.
Another topic of interest under study
is the sperm whale population in the Gulf. Most familiar to people
because of movies and novels like Moby Dick, the sperm whale was
thought until recently to be an infrequent visitor to the Gulf of
Mexico.
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MMS-sponsored studies are finding that
the sperm whale population in the Gulf is distinct from other sperm
whale groups in other parts of the world.
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There are genetic differences unique
to the Gulf population;
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They vocalize differently from other
world populations;
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The Gulf population is fairly distinct
and isolated;
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Whales from within the Gulf appear to
stay in the Gulf.
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MMS scientists have discovered that Gulf
whales are, on average, 1.5 to 2 meters (about 5 to 6.5 ft) smaller
than sperm whales in other oceans.
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MMS studies have shown that the Gulf
whale pods comprise nine to eleven individuals — a smaller number of
individuals than those found in other oceans;
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Studies have determined that Gulf
whale pods are comprised of females and young males. (Large,
mature whales are another matter; much about them is unknown.)
Relevant Topics:
Right
Whale Study Planned for Bering Sea
MMS
Supported SALMON Project is More Than a Fish Tale
MMS Earns 'Clean' Opinion on Financial
Statements: Independent audit
for Fiscal Years 2005 and 2006
Noncompliance
Results in $52.4 Million Penalty Assessments
MMS
Awards Recognize Safety, Environmental Achievement, and Accurate
Reporting
(25 KB; 1 page)
2006:
A Record Year for MMS Technological Approvals
(25 KB; 2 pages)
Media Contact:
Gary
Strasburg
(202) 208-3985 |
