Protecting Gulf Habitats

Expanded by 104 square miles, the new Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary boundary protects commercially and recreationally important fish and threatened or endangered species while promoting the exploration and preservation of additional reef habitats and species. The newly protected areas are widely recognized as marine biodiversity hotspots that provide critical ecosystem services for the Gulf of Mexico region, but are vulnerable to changing ocean and climatic conditions. The expansion recognizes the interconnectedness of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico's ecosystems and will help support sustainable economies in the region.