The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) through the Environmental Studies Program (ESP) is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity to study shipwrecks and benthic hard-bottom habitat in the mesophotic zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

There is a clear need to characterize seafloor features

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and their ecological role to develop proper management and avoidance strategies based upon their ecological community structures.

Objectives include documenting and mapping sites.

Only applicants noted in "Additional Information on Eligibility" are eligible to compete for this award, but cooperative research is encouraged and applicants may include subcontracts to other organizations in their proposals.

See complete program announcement.

Section 1345(e) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) authorizes BOEM to enter into cooperative agreements with affected States for purposes that are consistent with the OCLSA, including the joint use of available expertise, joint planning and review, and the formation of joint surveillance and monitoring arrangements.