Southeast's Secret Deep-water Coral Reefs

With the political winds blowing to lift the federal moratorium that prohibits drilling along most of the US coastline, it is amazing to me that we are just beginning to explore deep-water coral reefs that stretch from North Carolina to Florida.

“From a scientific point of view, we’ve struck it rich – we’ve found a treasure trove of marine biodiversity that we didn’t know existed until fairly recently. With adequate protection, scientists will be busy for decades finding new species and unlocking the secrets of these reefs.”
-Dr. Lance Morgan, Chief Scientist, Marine Conservation Biology Institute.

Beyond the reach of sunlight, these slow growing coral are the most extensive in the US and support a multitude of species. In less than a decade, researchers have reportedly found dozens of new species. While there is reported to be interest in protecting 25,000 square miles of reefs off the Southeast as a national monument, the lack of money is preventing us from learning more.

“You're just so disappointed that you can't do more, The money's not there, the time's not there. We're just scratching the surface.”
- Steve Ross, UNC Wilmington researcher who leads a multi-agency team of researchers who, since 2000, have made 65 dives to the deep reefs off the Southeastern coast.

According to the newspaper article, Steve Ross's next research focus will be the Gulf of Mexico, "to help guide the management of oil and gas exploration there". Can you smell the money?

Sources:
Scientists campaign to save reefs off Cape Fear Coast
National monument designation could save ecosystem
Gov. Sanford Asks President to Protect Deep Sea Corals Off South Carolina Coast