Sea Research Foundation, Inc

Understanding the Patterns of the Biological Diversity in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument Will Be Key to Effective Policy and Management, Increase Our Scientific Knowledge of Offshore Ecosystems, and Contribute to Public Understanding and Engagement. Despite Over a Century of Research Along the Continental Margin, Much More Work Is Needed at the Local Landscape Scale to Improve Knowledge of Patterns of Diversity and the Processes That Govern Its Stability and Change. Through This Cooperative Agreement We Will Conduct Research Expeditions With a Focus on the Epipelagic Waters and Upper Slope-canyon Seafloor of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, in Collaboration With Agency and Academic Partners, and Apply Results to Enhance Scientific Knowledge as Well as Engage Students, Educators and the General Public. Through an Innovative Education and Outreach Plan, We Will Bring the Monument to the People With the Goal to Engender an Appreciation for Ocean Conservation More Broadly. in Addition, There Is a Potential to Enhance Research Opportunities in Slope-canyon Areas via Collaboration With Other Programs and Agencies. Such Supplemental Funding and Collaboration Would Add Needed Focus on Seafloor Systems and Address Connectivity From the Overlying Water Column, Especially to Deep-sea Coral Communities.