NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration and Office of Coast Survey collaborated with multiple partners to conduct side scan sonar surveys of near shore waters in the Gulf of Mexico affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This survey work created maps and display products to provide mariners with more accurate navigation information.

During this project the NOAA Marine Debris Program worked closely with Louisiana Sea Grant to implement a comprehensive outreach program to effectively disseminate survey results to the public using media releases, posters and maps, as well as this project website. The target audience included, but was not limited to, recreational boaters, recreational and commercial fishers, local fishing communities, state agencies, and other interested parties throughout the region. This effort could not have been as successful without key partnerships with the U.S. Coast Guard, FEMA, and multiple state agencies.

On this site you can find a sampling of many of the products created for both physical distribution and broadcast.  Maps are available for easy printing, and target data is available for import to GPS or GIS systems.  If you have questions on the outreach effort, please contact:

NOAA Marine Debris Program – GOMMDP Team
gomdebris@noaa.gov

Louisiana Sea Grant College Program
(225) 578-6451