NOAA Concludes 2026 Ecosystem Assessment at Gray's Reef

NOAA has finished its 2026 National Marine Sanctuary Southeast Regional Ecosystem Assessment for Gray's Reef off Georgia's coast. The mission, conducted aboard the NOAA Ship "Nancy Foster," collected vital data on offshore live-bottom habitats to improve understanding of species distribution and ecological connectivity. This assessment, which mapped 22.8 square miles of seafloor and performed 70 casts, is crucial for marine conservation and management efforts in the region.