USM Hurricane Preparedness plan

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory has been in the path of several storms in the past decade. Their experience and related Hurricane Preparedness Plan provide useful guidance for coastal facilities across the Gulf of Mexico. Thanks to Dr. Read Hendon for this resource. 1. Since GCRL initially developed this document, it Read More

Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council seeking public input

Last Friday, the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council (AGCRC) released its Draft State Expenditure Plan (SEP) for public review; comments received by November 20, 2018, will be considered. Comments may be submitted online at agcrc@dcnr.alabama.gov or mailed to: Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council, 118 N. Royal Street, Suite 603, Mobile, AL 36602. The proposed projects Read More

‘Ecological Resilience Indicators for Five Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems” report now available

NatureServe, in partnership with USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, The Nature Conservancy, University of Texas, Austin, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Ocean Conservancy, just published the report “Ecological resilience indicators for five Northern Gulf of Mexico ecosystems.”  Funded by the NOAA RESTORE Science Program, the project established conceptual ecological models for Read More

New publication calls for science advocates

A team of scientists and students at the University of South Florida published an article, “Embracing Advocacy in Science” in the journal Fisheries. As stated in the abstract, “a perception remains that scientists cannot be objective and credible while also advocating a position that may inform or impact decision making. We counter this notion and Read More

Sea Grant Oil Spill Science Outreach Team news

Two new offerings from the Gulf Sea Grant oil spill outreach team: The team will host a free seminar, “Oil spill response, assessment, and restoration: Marine mammals,” on March 29, 2018 in Galveston, Texas. Experts will share the latest science concerning marine mammal populations, with a focus on their health after oil spills and protocols relating Read More

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council annual report

Following is copied from GCERC email on 2/28/18: On February 21, 2018, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) voted to approve its 2017 Annual Report to Congress. The Annual Report to Congress summarizes the Council’s 2017 calendar year activities, including but not limited to accomplishments related to the funding approvals to date for both Read More

Restoration Trustees release adaptive management manual

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council has released a Monitoring and Adaptive Management Manual. The manual recommends procedures and guidelines that build upon the monitoring frameworks and conceptual monitoring plans developed for Early Restoration, including a template for “project-specific MAM plans and monitoring guidance for wetlands, beaches and dunes, barrier islands, water quality, and recreational use Read More

Sea Grant Oil Spill Science Outreach Team news

NEWS from the Sea Grant Oil Spill Science Outreach Team of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative: The Team just released a final, in-depth publication to close out 2017 entitle, Corals and oil spills. Scientists discovered that the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill injured some deep water coral communities, while others in shallow areas appeared unharmed. All Read More

GoMOSES Conference products

Products now available from the the 2017 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference (GoMOSES) including: Conference Report— provides an overview of conference goals and plenaries, session summaries, and a synthesis of key messages, based on the latest Gulf scientific findings and research gaps and challenges identified during sessions. Oral abstracts Poster abstracts Read More

NWF Restoration Report

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) just released its report, “Making the Most of Restoration: Priorities for a Recovering Gulf.” This follow-up to its 2014 report provides their recommendations on Gulf coastal ecosystems, with emphasis on estuaries. The report identifies “suites of projects that have the greatest collective impact on priority estuaries.” Their approach included: reviewing Read More