Comments on Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Expansion Proposal

Written by Anna Farrell-Sherman (Clean Water Associate) and Maya Clausen (Intern)

Environment Texas called for the largest possible expansion to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, specifically focusing on how this critical habitat, which protects some of the healthiest coral in the world, can be protected thorugh:

1. Approval of the largest possible expansion of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (both the publicly supported alternative and the staff proposed alternative were significantly bigger than the current proposal).

2. Ensuring that the current ban on longline and spear fishing is extended to the new areas. 

3. Continuing to evaluate the ecosystem science and use connectivity and coral density to guide more expansions.