Scuba divers descend from the surface while an ROV explores the depths, with its umbilical connected to our fantastic research vessel (R/V) MANTA at the surface. You'll find coral reef habitat and sea life featured prominently in the foreground, with deep reef features in shadow below them.
Our commemorative sanctuary poster reflects this in full color graphic art. Scuba and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technologies allow us to explore and learn about all of these areas. The majority of sanctuary habitats lie deeper beneath the waves in an area known as the mesophotic or "twilight" zone. While Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is best known for its beautiful coral reefs, they only account for a tiny fraction (2%) of the entire sanctuary. Check out the newest poster in the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries 50th Anniversary Save Spectacular poster series.