2018 Coral Donor Thank You 1

2018 Coral Donor Thank You 2

Dear Friend,

Last year you generously supported our Deep Sea Coral Program, which resulted in identification of a new species of coral!

Meet Chromoplexaura cordellbankensis! With our expedition partners California Academy of Sciences and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, this new species was discovered around Cordell Bank and has been seen around Monterey Bay and Channel Island national marine sanctuaries.

2018 Coral Donor Thank You 3
A rockfish and new species of coral, Chromoplexaura cordellbankensis, 262 feet below the surface at Cortes Bank. (Photo courtesy NOAA)

Our three expeditions in 2018 to locate deep-sea corals included: Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, Farallon Islands, and ~1,000 miles from Oregon down to Southern California. Because of you, we visited and documented never before seen areas of the deep ocean, including the rough, remote portion of western San Miguel Island. The images and data collected last year built more understanding about deep-sea marine life and ecosystems and enabled us to map and protect sensitive deep-sea coral habitat.

In summary, MARE’s 2018 Coral Program included:

31 sites in Marine Sanctuaries along the West Coast explored
76 dives, some to depths of 500 meters
120 samples to advance scientific understanding
To watch MARE’s deep sea science – and your funding support – in action, check out video from the expedition and see what we discovered!

Thank you for being a deep-sea coral supporter!

MARE partners for intelligent ocean management, which promotes resilience, sustainability and biodiversity in our oceans. Your tax deductible gift is used in marine exploration, discovery, and protection, to ensure a healthy ocean for generations.

When you donate to MARE, you are investing in our blue planet.