Cold-water coral and sponge communities are important indicators of vulnerable marine ecosystems and are used to delineate areas for marine conservation and fisheries management. Here, we used a diverse set of environmental data layers (n=30) representing a range of bathymetric derivatives, physicochemical variables, and water column properties to assess the primary factors influencing the niche separation and potential distributions of six habitat-forming groups of cold-water coral and sponge in the northeast Pacific region of Canada

Shore-based submersible operations, from 2006 to 2020, have allowed us to examine megabenthic assemblages along the island margin of Isla de Roatán from depths of about 150 to 750 m, including repeated observations of the same organisms. These dives were used to photo-document a diverse benthic assemblage and observe the health and condition of the sessile fauna in a well-explored but relatively undocumented area of the Mesoamerican Reef.

coral reef biology; coral reef conservation; coral reef ecology; coral reefs and islands; corals; endangered ecosystems; habitat; international cooperation

This document summarizes the proceedings of the Deep-Sea Corals Workshop held in Galway, Ireland on January 16-17, 2003. The workshop was hosted by the Irish Marine Institute (MI) and organized by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This workshop builds on the growing collaboration between MI and NOAA under the Joint Statement of Understanding signed by the two institutions in 1995.

Conservation; Coral Industry And Trade; Coral Reef Conservation; Coral Reef Ecology; Coral Reef Management; Coral Reefs And Islands; Workshop report

The following information includes a brief summary of what is known about the harvest, trade, and
population status of Corallium. This is followed by an overview of recent activities undertaken to
conserve these species through CITES, and the rationale for technical workshops on Corallium.

Coral Reef Ecology, Deep-sea Biology, Deep Sea Corals, Oceanographic Submersibles