A collaboration of two federal agencies through the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) has resulted in an award-winning study focusing on the potential of deep water oil and gas structures to create suitable habitat for marine life. The study, Archaeological and Biological Analysis of World War II Shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico: Artificial Reef Effect in Deep Water, was contracted by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). MMS and NOAA chartered a research vessel and other necessary equipment to make the research possible.


This study has earned two awards as a meaningful contribution to the Gulf of Mexico historical, archaeological and biological bodies of knowledge. The first honor presented in 2006 was the Department of the Interior’s Cooperative Conservation Award. The second honor being presented May 17, 2007, is the NOPP’s Excellence in Partnering Award. This award, which will be presented at a meeting of the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology, recognizes successful NOPP partnering efforts which impact and contribute to the ocean sciences community.


The study’s investigating scientists with C&C Technologies of Lafayette, La., will discuss the findings at a special presentation open to the public.

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