PC-1605: August 24-September 4, 2016   Chief Scientist: Martha Nizinski 

1. survey canyon and inter-canyon slope environments to characterize benthic habitats and identify areas of coral presence;
2. conduct multibeam mapping in canyon and slope areas where data are missing or incomplete;
3. assess geological features to characterize canyon morphology;
4. conduct CTD sampling; and
5. collect water samples and monocore samples during specific CTD casts.

Most canyons are poorly known, but based on data collected during previous investigations, many scientists and managers believe submarine canyons provide refuge for a variety of fauna including corals, fishes, and other animals.

The focus of this project is to collect contemporary scientific information needed by managers to protect and conserve deep-sea coral ecosystems. 

On August 24-September 7, 2016 OER, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), and SEDCI provided support for a 15-day expedition aboard the NOAA Ship Pisces. Led by Martha Nizinski, the expedition surveyed deep-water canyons off North Carolina using the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Sentry operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI). The SEDCI supported the expedition by providing funds in support of contracts for the AUV Sentry and data analysis. Three AUV dives were conducted during the expedition, one in Pamlico Canyon and two in Hatteras Canyon, for a total bottom time of 51.7 h and a linear distance surveyed of 70.92 km. Close to 59,000 still images were collected during the expedition, which will be processed by Mike Rhode (ECS Federal, LLC) to quantify the benthic fauna. In addition to AUV surveys, the expedition included the collection of multibeam and backscatter data, CTDs and four monocore samples, the latter of which will be processed by Amanda Demopoulos (USGS).