You may not realize it, but cruise ships leaving from Galveston, Texas actually pass directly through Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary en route to tropical Caribbean destinations.
The Hidden Caribbean
The shallow coral reefs and coral communities of the sanctuary feature much of the same ocean life that people expect to see at their Caribbean cruise destinations--tropical reef fish, sea turtles, sharks, manta rays, corals, and sponges--but they are hidden from view 80-125 miles from shore and 60 feet or more underwater.
Most cruise ships pass this area late at night, when passengers are sleeping or busy with other ship-board activities. For those who happen to be on deck, the only indication of anything special are occasional mooring buoys that have been set in place to prevent boats from anchoring in these sensitive habitats.
While these habitats might be hard to see, they are vital to our ocean ecosystem and provide a safe haven for fish and other marine animals. So, to help build awareness of this ocean treasure, our staff have hidden a few ducks during their own travels. Can you find one during yours?
#DuckDuckReef
If you do find one of our ducks in your wanderings, please share your find on social media using the hashtag #DuckDuckReef. Tell us about your adventure and what you learned about the sanctuary.
Feel free to tag us at NOAA Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary on Facebook, @FGBNMS on Twitter/X, or @flowergardenbanksnms on Instagram.