Improving Deepwater Horizon Risk Assessment for Large Pelagic Rays: Global Scale Positioning Via Satellite Telemetry
Implementing Organization
University of South Alabama
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$66,148
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI)
Funding Program
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative GoMRI Grant Program
Details
Project Category
Science
Project Actions
Environmental Research
Targeted Resources
Human and/or Institutional Capacity
Project Description
Despite their highly mobile nature, large epipelagic rays were likely exposed to crude oil and chemical dispersant Corexit(TM) from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) incident in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Aerial surveyors of the immediately impacted area (i.e. SE Louisiana) reported rays swimming through oiled surface waters shortly after the blowout in spring 2010. This particular time-frame (i.e. season) has been shown to support higher than average densities of rays in this region.
Contact
Sean Powers251-861-2141 x 2284
spowers@disl.org
Project Website
Project Partners
None
Affiliated Institutions
None