Mapping the Unknown

During leg one we took a break from our normal operations to collect some data for our friends and colleagues at the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. NOAA is responsible for the conservation and management of over 170,000 square miles of America's most iconic natural and cultural marine resources designated as National Marine Sanctuaries. Sanctuaries seek to preserve the extraordinary scenic beauty, biodiversity, historical connections and economic productivity of our most precious underwater treasures.

Like the United States, every country in the Caribbean has it's own special Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that they work to conserve for future generations. Cuba is a shining example with 126 Marine Protected Areas and boasting some of the most pristine and healthy coral reefs in the Caribbean.

Map of the newly designated Sister Sanctuaries - Guanahacabibes and Banco de San Antonio in Cuba, and Florida Keys and Flower Garden Banks national marine sanctuaries in the United States.

As you know from previous posts, the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico are connected by ocean currents. In an effort to conserve our interrelated marine ecosystems, NOAA, the US National Park Service, and Cuba’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Environments signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on November 18, 2015 that aims to facilitate cooperation on the science, stewardship and management related to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This was a historical agreement between two neighboring countries only recently resuming diplomatic relations. The MOU included a Sister MPA program that recognizes the important connections among the newly designated Sister Sanctuaries - Guanahacabibes and Banco de San Antonio in Cuba, and Florida Keys and Flower Garden Banks national marine sanctuaries in the United States. And the sharing of scientific research and outreach information promoted by this program will hopefully lead to increased protection of our delicate marine ecosystems.

Evolution of bathymetric mapping technology. 

While in the vicinity of Banco de San Antonio, we temporarily pulled in our plankton nets and switched on the multibeam echo sounder to make a bathymetric map of Banco de San Antonio. Bathymetry is essentially "underwater topography" and these maps illustrate the three-dimensional features (relief) of the sea floor. Although this type of work is out of our range of expertise, the crew of the Nancy Foster are experts. Survey Technicians Nick and Samantha have conducted hundreds of miles of mapping and specialize in turning the data collected into beautiful topographic maps. In fact, this type of bottom mapping is the sole mission of many NOAA ships who tirelessly survey the ocean bottom and provide this information to to the general public in the form of nautical charts that allow safe passage to all U.S. ports for both commercial and recreational boaters.

Bathymetric map of  Banco de San Antonio created from Nancy Foster survey data overlaid on a nautical chart, color corresponds to depth (warm=shallow). Charted depths in meters.

Three dimensional closeup of the southeastern portion of Banco de San Antonio. Red bumps likely correspond to coral formations.

The images produced through the Nancy Foster's work will provide information about the habitat and terrain on this very interesting feature that contains high biodiversity, including many species of fish, sponges, and corals. The bathymetric map will direct future research that will use methods such as underwater cameras, SCUBA divers, and possibly ROVs (remotely operated underwater vehicles) to explore in more detail the habitats on Banco de San Antonio.

Mowing the lawn: The Nancy Foster's track can be seen in orange as progress is made during mapping. The speed, direction and spacing of every pass over the bank is crucial to getting the highest quality data and requires an experienced bridge team.

Senior Survey Technician Samantha Martin monitors progress of the Nancy Foster's effort to map Banco de San Antonio.