Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary National Marine Sanctuary FORCE BLUE Tour of Duty
August 17–18, 2025
FORCE BLUE divers joined NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries divers aboard the R/V Manta for a field mission at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, located about 100 miles off the Texas coast. Together, they spent time underwater attempting to document the sanctuary's spectacular annual coral spawning event, installed a new mooring buoy, and collected live coral samples for research.
The team collected coral fragments for Texas A&M University at Galveston and Moody Gardens Aquarium, which together established the first coral spawning laboratory in Texas. There, scientists and students will use the samples to study coral development, improve restoration techniques, and grow new corals for future outplanting—potentially resulting in thousands of baby corals returning to the reef in the years ahead.
One Team, One Ocean
The mooring buoy installed by FORCE BLUE was quickly put to use, allowing another sanctuary expedition, the Lionfish Invitational, to safely deploy 30 divers who removed invasive lionfish from the reef just days later. Mooring buoys are an essential tool for resource protection, allowing vessels to tie up without dropping anchors that can damage fragile coral structures. This small addition to sanctuary infrastructure created immediate conservation benefits while protecting sanctuary resources from potential anchor damage.
Beyond their work at sea, FORCE BLUE veterans also participated in community outreach events in Galveston, sharing their experiences with students and the public and highlighting how continued service can take many forms.
Service Meets Stewardship
This collaboration between NOAA and FORCE BLUE demonstrates the power of science, service, and storytelling to advance marine conservation. By pairing the technical skills and camaraderie of veterans with NOAA's mission to study and protect coral reefs, the partnership strengthens both ocean ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Together, the team is building resilience—one coral colony, one dive, and one mission at a time.
