NTL 1998-G11 - Implementation of Measures to Detect and Protect Deepwater Chemosynthetic Communities - August 10, 1998

This notice supersedes NTL 88-11, effective February 1, 1989, and makes minor technical amendments, updates the cited regulatory authorities, Scientists have recently discovered deepwater (greater than 400 meters) chemosynthetic organisms in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Chemosynthetic communities are assemblages of tubeworms, clams, mussels, bacteria mats, and other associated organisms. Many of the species, while similar to those of other deepwater areas, including the vent communities of the Galapagos Ridge, are new to science.