On July 12-15, 2008, scientists and resource managers met to discuss and review the state of knowledge regarding mesophotic coral ecosystems and identify critical research needs to develop a Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Research Strategy. The workshop was hosted by the Perry Institute for Marine Science and sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research and NOAA’s Undersea Research Program) and the U.S. Geological Survey. Mesophotic coral ecosystems are light-dependent coral ecosystems typically found in tropical and sub-tropical regions in depths ranging from 30-40 m to over 150 m in depth. Accomplishments from the workshop include: (1) mesophotic.org, a online resource for scientists, resource managers, and other interested in the research, management, and conservation of mesophotic coral ecosystems, (2) a special issue of Coral Reefs (planned for late 2009) that reviews the state of knowledge of mesophotic coral ecosystems, and (3) the Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Research Strategy. For more information, contact Kimberly.Puglise@noaa.gov.
