NOAA Expands Gulf of Mexico Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA announced the expansion of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary from approximately 56 square miles to approximately 160 square miles to protect additional important Gulf of Mexico habitat.
The expansion means 14 additional reefs and banks which is the home of commercially important fish including red snapper, mackerel, grouper and wahoo, as well as threatened or endangered species of sea turtles, corals and giant manta rays.
“The expansion extends existing sanctuary protections to these new areas to limit the impact of activities such as fishing with bottom-tending gear, ship anchoring...
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