What is DEEPEND|RESTORE?

DEEPEND|RESTORE is a 47-member, 11-institution research program funded by NOAA's RESTORE Science Program that expands upon the decade-long (2010-2020), open-ocean Gulf of Mexico research conducted during the NOAA-supported Offshore Nekton Sampling and Analysis Program (ONSAP) and the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative-funded Deep-Pelagic Nekton Dynamics of the Gulf of Mexico (DEEPEND) Consortium. This project aims to identify/quantify long-term trends in the offshore fauna (fishes, shrimps, and cephalopods) of the Gulf of Mexico. Further, DEEPEND will integrate this information with ongoing resource management in the Gulf of Mexico. This management includes economically and ecologically important pelagic fishes as well as marine mammals, sea birds, and sea turtles. In addition to baseline assessments, DEEPEND will identify key drivers of offshore assemblages, develop an ‘indicator species plan’ for detecting anthropogenic changes, and assemble a faunal inventory for the oceanic Gulf of Mexico. To learn more about our mission, team, research, products, and management applications, please dive into the rest of the DEEPEND|RESTORE website. 

Ocean Twilight Zone symposium

15 September 2023
Ocean Twilight Zone symposium

Some of the DEEPEND team members attended the Ocean Twilight Zone symposium at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution this week. Tracey Sutton, Heather Judkins, Zan Milligan, and Matt Woodstock pre...

Another Successful DEEPEND/RESTORE cruise in the books

18 July 2023
Another Successful DEEPEND/RESTORE cruise in the books

We completed our DP09 cruise successfully, returning to port on May 12th. The weather and gear cooperated, allowing us to get our full complement of stations and tows completed! This was the last crui...

Next research cruise DP09 departs on May 2nd

28 April 2023
Next research cruise DP09 departs on May 2nd

Our DEEPEND team is preparing for our next research cruise, which will set sail from Gulfport, MS on May 2, and last 11 days. We will continue to sample the deep-pelagic offshore fauna as part of our...

Read All News Items.....

DEEPEND is so pleased to share this special issue of Oceanography magazine dedicated to ten years of GoMRI science! You can access the electronic version of the issue here.

The issue is the culmination of a decade of GoMRI research and includes a collection of articles describing the key advances, surprises and novel discoveries for the Gulf of Mexico and other regions where GoMRI's interdisciplinary and collaborative research was conducted and has application. Also included are lessons learned and outstanding research needs and gaps to inform future activities and efforts. Enjoy!