Dr. Larry McKinney, HRI Director

1. An ecologically and environmentally sustainable Gulf of Mexico… hard earned lessons from Deepwater Horizon Dr. Larry McKinney, HRI Director

2. The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world… 2,500,000 acres (90% USA seagrass) 5,000,000 acres (50% USA wetlands) 647,417 acres (100% USA mangroves) 35% USA coral reefs (90% of continental USA)

3. The Gulf of Mexico is the Nation’s Gas Station 60% of USA crude oil and 40% natural gas reserves 45% of USA refining capacity

4. The Gulf of Mexico is the Nation’s Fish Market 1.4 billion pounds of seafood annually 78% of USA shrimp landings 62% of USA oyster landings 3 of the USA’s top 6 commercial fishing ports 44% of USA recreational fishing - $16.2 billion annually

5. The Deepwater Horizon blowout differed from all previous accidental oil spills because of its depth Photic Continental Shelf 600 ft. (180 m.) Estuarine and Coastal Ecosystems Bathyal Deepwater Horizon 5000 ft. (1500 m.)

6. Two very clear lessons from the Deepwater Horizon Blowout…. The Gulf is resilient but has limits The economic and environmental health of the Gulf of Mexico are linked

7. 1000 natural seeps release about 400,000 barrels per year Source: Prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) with data from the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies of Science, 2003, Oil in the Sea III: Inputs, Fates, and Effects,p.69.

8. Microbes removed 200,000 tons of methane ≈ 20% of hydrocarbon release from spill Microbes used 100 million tons of oxygen in the process with minimal impact oil slick 200 m oil plume dispersed subsurface oil plume dispersed oil/hydrate plume 500 m 1000 m well head accumulating oil on sediments 1500 m 1800 m

10. Photo Credits: Rich Camilli, WHOI Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill's Effects on Deep-Water Corals Damaged deep-sea corals discovered months after Deepwater Horizon spill March 26, 2012 PNAS Helen White, et al

11. Maintaining a robust resilience is the key to a sustainable future for the Gulf of Mexico … Biodiversity Subtropical climate Adaptive biota Diverse Broad natural variability habitats

12. The Gulf of Mexico is a healthy and productive ecosystem, but there are many challenges to sustainability… Over Fishing Nutrient Over Enrichment Habitat Loss Water Quality Freshwater Inflows Climate Change

13. The Gulf of Mexico is the Nation’s Water Filter (and sometime disposal)

15. These submerged banks are critical for conservation of fisheries and biodiversity

16. The Gulf Report Card will… Provide scientifically based metrics that guide future research Support effective restoration efforts Be perceived as fair and objective Promote sound Policy and decision-making Build credibility and public support