NOAA’s Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary wants your input.
The public review of NOAA’s Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary management plan has begun. This process will help them keep pace with current and future resource protection, research, and education efforts.
From now through May 21, 2026, the NOAA is seeking your thoughts on what the management plan revision should cover. This is just the first chance, as there will be more opportunities to weigh in.
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary isn’t located in Southwest Florida, but it plays a major role in the health of the entire Gulf of Mexico. You’ll find it out in the northwestern Gulf, about 80 to 125 miles off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. The sanctuary covers 160 square miles of coral reefs that sit on top of salt domes, about 115 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas. What happens in this vital coral reef area affects us all.
What makes this place special? It protects 17 separate reefs, known as banks. Among them are the East and West Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank, the stars of the show out there in the open water.
Reviewing their management plan gives the NOAA a chance to see what’s working, what still needs attention, and how they can better reach their goals. They rely on community members and their Sanctuary Advisory Council to guide this process.
A lot has changed since NOAA put the current plan in place in 2012. They have new partners and technology, and new challenges have come up. By evaluating what they’ve accomplished and what’s left to do, the NOAA ensures it’s focused on the right priorities.
The NOAA hopes you’ll join them in shaping the future of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.For more information contact flowergarden.noaa.gov.
