The goals of this project were to: 1) Examine the extent of the sponge reef identified in 2007 and proposed for protection by Oceana in 2009 2) Describe the associated ecosystem to assist in determining this area’s role as essential fish habitat; and 3) Provide the Pacific Fishery Management Council with additional information to assess any actions that may be needed to protect the Grays Canyon sponge area.

Depth range
144- 169 m

Mesophotic “mentions”
0 x (total of 7934 words)

Classification
* Presents original data
* Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range
* Focused on 'mesophotic coral ecosystem'
* Focused on 'temperate mesophotic ecosystem'

Fields
Biodiversity
Community structure
Ecology
Management and Conservation

Focusgroups
Fishes
Porifera (Sponges)
Scleractinia (Hard Corals)

Locations
USA - Continental Pacific

Platforms
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)