Gulfport, Mississippi, USA (Sept. 22nd, 2026) --- This summer, from August 18th to 26th 2026, FSUCML faculty member, Dr. Sandra Brooke, accompanied by her graduate student, Laura Anthony, and histology technician, Katarina Simonson, embarked on a nine-day research cruise aboard the R/V Point Sur. This cruise, the second of four research cruises to observe and study Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) in their natural habitat on the West Florida Shelf (WFS), was funded through a $4 million initiative focused on the deep-sea and coral ecosystems of the northeastern Gulf. The funding was awarded by the Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program (FLRACEP) through the Florida Institute of Oceanography and supports four collaborative research projects—two of which are led or co-led by FSUCML faculty.
Why Study Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs)?
These MCEs, occurring from 30-150m depth, are invaluable to the environment, supporting hard-bottomed communities and providing local ecosystem services such as vital fisheries. Despite this economic and ecological importance, there is a stark lack of research on these ecosystems. They are understudied in terms of benthic community characterizations and our understanding of the processes influencing their health, resilience, and productivity is minimal. Discovering where their nutrients come from, and in what volume, will help researchers better understand the dynamics of these interconnected systems.
Octocoral “Hypnogorgia Pendula” observed by the ROV
The Expedition
The expedition brought along 15 researchers and spanned 986 nautical miles, starting in the Mississippi Delta/De Soto Canyon area and ending in an underexplored area known as the Sticky Grounds. Dr. Brooke served as Chief Scientist alongside the project's PI, Dr. Mingshun Jiang, an Associate Research Professor at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (FAU). According to Dr. Brooke, “The overarching goal of this project is to improve our understanding [of] the dynamics and drivers of nutrient supply and sediment flux over the WFS, and their impacts on water column and benthic productivity.”
Research Methods & Sampling
Throughout the cruise, researchers selected specific samples of stony coral and octocorals to compare the physiological traits between those found at “High Food Sites” near the Madison Swanson Marine Reserve and those found at “Low Food Sites” south of the plume influence. Dr. Brooke is specifically responsible for the mesophotic habitat characterization and description of associated species to compare the influence of food on community structure. Researchers collected a total of 102 samples of coral from fourteen launch sites in a previously unexplored habitat of MCEs.
In order to obtain these coral samples, researchers used what’s called an ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle), a compact science vehicle that can operate at extreme depth and is used for deep-water research. During the cruise, researchers deployed the ROV a total of 68 times to an average depth of 500m. Its video equipment recorded 41 hours of footage.
ROV Mohawk, owned and operated by the University of Southern Mississippi
Looking Ahead
This project is still ongoing, with two more research expeditions planned for the near future.
Researchers on Board:
Chief Scientist
Dr. Sandra Brooke, FSU
NOAA Contractor
Stephine Farrington, FSU
Project PI
Mingshun Jiang, FSU
ROV Team 1
Tim Cook, USM
ROV Team 2
Max Woolsey, USM
ROV Team 3
Doug Faircloth, USM
Lander Team
Gabriel Alsenas, FAU
Erik Bosold, FAU
Graduate Students
Sofia Cuellarsola, FAU
Madison Bennett, FAU
Olivia Ruchti, FAU
Collin Hebner, FAU
Jonathan Terzado, FAU
Laura Anthony, FSU
Katarina Simonson, FSU
To learn more about the FSUCML, visit www.marinelab.fsu.edu. Please email Jared Fuqua jfuqua@fsu.edu or Grace Lawhorn gl25g@fsu.edu with any questions.