This is the Second Gulf of America Reef Symposium (the first was held at Rice in 2018). The goals of this symposium are to gather information on current and past research on the northern Gulf of America reefs, establish region-wide research goals (especially at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary), and facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Coral reefs of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS, northwest Gulf of America) face a number of threats, including pollution, large influxes of freshwater runoff from storms, fishing pressure, warming seas, and most recently, disease. Conservation efforts to protect and manage this valuable ecosystem are key, but the FGBNMS management plan has not been updated since 2010. Given the current state of coral reefs in the Gulf of America, it is crucial that scientists and managers work together to understand the current state of these ecosystems and develop effective management strategies, as well as, to gather information on current and past research on the northern Gulf of America reefs, establish region-wide research goals, and facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations. To accomplish these goals, the 2-day Gulf of America Reef Symposium will bring together an interdisciplinary group of experts in coral reef science and management to discuss the current state of coral reefs in the Gulf of America and identify research needs for the FGBNMS. Additionally, the meeting will serve as a forum to identify and prioritize research needs for the FGBNMS, which will help guide future research and management efforts. Following “lightning talks” on the first day, we will prioritize collaborative discussions and planning breakout sessions rather than traditional seminar-style talks. We hope these sessions will catalyze the writing of proposals and the planning of research opportunities.